The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-07-12
(By Walter A. kerry

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, July .. 1910
Before describing bull hght | feel
tnat a few words about the "bullrlng"
may be interesting. This building was
erected In 1907 at a cost of 100000
and mas seating capacity of 10000,
or 1.OlO more than the largest build
Ing In Madrid. The gate receipts in
good day often reach $40 900. 10 per
cent oil which the government re.
celVes, This huge amphitheater con-
slSts OF an arena, 45 feet in dame
ter, from which rise cement tiers of
seats. These are separated from the
ring by wooden barrier, about five
leet nigh, behind which runs a mar.
row passage. A fighter when too hot
iy pursued by bull springs over the
barrier The "toro" (bulD often fol
lows, as was the case twice when |
made my visit There are small sheds
mere and there. open on two sides In
which bull fighter or servant may
take refuge If necessary Prices vary
according to whether a person desires
10 SIT In the shade or the sun The
lower rows OF seats near the arena
are occupied by those who are real
lovers Of the sport, and If at any tine
they can hold the bull lighters cloak
or cape. or even throw a hat when
they think It might save a "torero"
(bull fighter from a gore OF bull,
they feel highly honored.
Few clouds hover overhead. a thing
not at all unusual at this time OF the
year. giving promise of splendid day
1t Is about 2:20 in the afternoon
as | still drive the "Paseo de la Re.
forma' on my way to tho Plaza de-
los Toros' (place Of the bulls). Al
though the hour for beginning is 8 80
the streets and avenues are alive with
people Of all classes. who are NOV
ing along quickly. In few moments
obtain my ticket and ascend one OF
the many steel stalrways, and as
behold the interior of the great coils
cum I am filed with wonder and awe.
People are pouring in from all sides,
and yet there are forty-hve minutes
to wait. / push my way through tho
crowd and finally succeed in getting
q comfortable seat In the shade. The
crowds continue to stream in, motley
Indeed. representing classes from the
millionaire to the poorest Indian.
1t is $40 p. IN. and the band men,
bers appear There is yelling and
ShpuNihEs ilElS 10 VI uhl9 elhA
handkerchiefs- In moment the band
Is playing national air and the crowd
is frenzied. The manager or presi-
dent OF the bull fights appears and
takes his seat The applause increases
people stand up perhaps $4,000. and
shout The bulls, the bulls" Once
more the band Is heard and TWO large
doors fly open. and III march the bril-
liantly clad bull fighters. the eally
garnished horses and the peculiarly
dressed servants. in fact all who take
part. be 1t ever so little. during the
day. The sound OF a cornet is heard.
signal TO begin. Servants and 9th
ers not now taking part, find their
places. All eyes are turned towards a
high gate In the west A burly fell
low Is leaning over the railing with a
thin dagger puntilla) in his hand,
from which flutter ribbons of various
colors, ready 10 plant 1t in the beasts
neck as 1t rusheS past, A few sec
onds Of suspense-In pluDges the
beast Six "toreros" and two 'pica-
dores" (bull fighters mounted on
horses) are ready. The first part Of
the fight really begins now.
The bull looks wildly about, and
then makes mad plunge. but the
slillful 'torero' steps ASIDE and the
maptle receives the blow, II raises
its head and snorts and shifts and
makes another charge. The beast is
now angry and the work Of the ''pica-
dores" begins. Each 'picador" has a
long lance with steel tip. AS the lance
is raised by one Of these fighters
and pointed at the "toro" as a means