The Washington herald., 1914-04-07

ming his wager had no trouble whatso-
ever in collecting.
with the arrival of the tardy swells the
men in charge OF the main got down to
business.
The birds were matched by weight and
neither side would give an ounce. At
first there was considerable wrangling
between the pitters Cprofessionals) over
the weights, the spurs TO be used the
''cut" of the fowl, etc, but the gentle
men, took no part in this and waited for
the experts to adjust these matters
among themselves.
The main argument Of the evening was
as to what rules should be used. Every
State has a different rule. and these rules
are far more complicated than those of a
prize ring. The New Workers naturally
had a preference for New York rules and
yirsinians thought that they were en-
titled to Virginia rules.
A member OF the Maryland legislature
who was present suggested PhladeIpnia
rules as a happy compromise. and these
were at once adopted. This popular poll
ticisn was chosen referee, and prom
inent Philadelphian and New Yorker
were announced as the men who would
heel and pitt the birds.
The matter of gaffs or heels was set
IlcO. ana was
The New Workers. named a top weight
and the Southerners named bottom
weight This means that the New York
ers named the weight of the heaviest
cock to be fought, which the Virginians
were compelled to match even though
they were forced to give weight. and the
Southerners named the lightest cock to
be fought. which was likewise bound to
be matched, even though the New York
ers were compelled to match up with one
still lighter.
The between weights were matched to
the ounce and there was in no instance
more than an ounce difference. Each
side had about fifty cocks to select from.
shnke-bag Fight.
In addition to the main there was a
shake-bag fight That is, the cocks were
not weighed. each side producing their
heaviest and most powerful cock, their
heavyweight. The owners OF these cocks
bet 8. 900 each on their birds, but the
spectators bet fully 5000 additional
among themselves.
The Southern heavyweight was supplied
by g. cafe keeper of Frederick, Nd. A
well-known fancier of New York State
produced the other. This fight was also
won by the Virginians.
won, twenty-four OF the remaining birds
were matched up and fought.
This supplied twelve additional fights.
Virginia winning ten out of the twelve
extra fights.
But the New Workers. took their medi-
cine and made no wry faces.
Then the main went on, and as event
after event was decided, IT beceme appar-
ent that no better fighting cocks were
ever brought together anywhere. There
were no runaways. Every defeated cock
died and died game, or was counted out
while scratching"
Some of the birds fought were prob
ably distant relatives. Most were OF the
same breed. Save for a difference in size
the New York fowl all looked as much
alike as peas. They were a cross breed
Of Dad Carney. of New York who is
famous the world over for fighting cocks
and were known as Carney White Hack
les. In full feather they are q solid red
chicken, but when trimmed out their
hackles or neck feathers are a beautiful
snow white.
Both sides undoubtedly showed mag
nificent birds, and 1t is safe to say that
the commoncst and most cowardly one
of the lot Was gamer in an animal way
than the gamest man that ever lived.
or Noble Lineage.
These chickens have been bred for hun
dreds of generations and from point of
lineage the very oldest human families
are scum OF the earth" in comparison,
when 1t Is considered that the breeders
Of these fowl, to test their gameness, Of
ten fight them day after day. When they
have been rendered entirely blind, and
with legs and wings broken;
when they are sick and dying, they un-
continue to give battle until the |
last gasp. Nearly any breeder will bet !
that this strain will fight with its legs
cut of. !
Many of the fowl that Virginia Used
were OF the same strain of white hackle |
rs the New York fowl.
Carney made II a point never to sell his |
strain. About ten years ago, however, |
ne wavered in this excellent resolution, |
and upon being offered a tempting price /
BY @. NJ. Oyster, of Washington, d. C.. he /
'old trio. making Oyster promise never |
% sell or give away any cocks, hens, or
.ggs. Oyster promised and was faithful
% his promise. but-somebody stole an
,gg.
At any rate, the strain appeared in
.aurel, Md, and there they are called
saurei White HackleS.