El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-07-12

in the spring OF 1908 by the late Dr..
Mariana Samaniego and the tlrst pun
fight was staged September 20 OF that
year. The matacors n the Initial
fight were Manuel Larfn. known
among lovers OF the bull ripg as "Es-
perterita.r and Rafael Grerra- known
among the Mexicans as Garrita-
.sEsperterita" and "Garrfta" were
among the most celebrated bull fight
ers Of their time and visitors from all
parts Of Mexico came to Juarez to
witness the big fight. It was the
gala day Of northern chihuahua. thou
sands Of people witnessing the big
event.
The Jrarez arena has been the scene
Of many horrible events. but the out
standing tragedy OF the Plaza de
Toros was the death OF the youthful
matador. Jose Avila, who was fatally
gored IN the arena and died two hours
later on the operating table in the
matador's room. The young matador.
only p years OF age, so the story
goes, was at once removed to the
matador's room and his youthful wife
notified. It Is said that Avila died
with his infant son drawn to his
breast and his child wife weeping by
have been the most terrible animal
that ever entered the Juarez arena,
was later hutchered by z band OF
matsdors. The animals horns now
adorn the matador's room in the en-
trance TO the arena
Many Famous Fighters.
Other notorious bull fighters. who
have performed in the Juarez ring.
are Rafael Gomez. Manuel Herrera.
camelo Arguelles. Francisco Enri-
ouez and Manuel II Perez.
A notable event In the history Of
the arena was the Frightening OF a
bull one Sunday afternoon until the
animal became frantic and jumped
into the seats with the spectators.
Only the presence Of mind OF a man
who grasped the animal by the tail
and impeded Its progress until IL
could be slain, prevented a stampede
and great injury among the people.
One Of the iron supports holding up
the Wire cable running along the bot
tom tier Of seats on the east side OF
the arena was torn out by the fright
eHed bull as he leaped into the seats
and the wound left in the concrete is
still visible.
The present custodian Of the bull
ring is Manuel Herrera, who. assisted
by his wife, shows visitors about the
old arena. Manuel IS a native OF
Cadiz, Spain, and entered the ring for
the first time in that city when ne
was but Il years old He later fol-
lowed the life Of matador through
ONT spain and Mexico and has suf-
fered two serious wounds as a result
Of arena BEETLES. Cne OF these was
sustained IN Durango and the other
IN Juarcz- Herrera is a game fighter
and longs for the day when he can
again don the robes OF the matador
and take his stand in the bull ring.
Room of the HatadOrs.
One OF the most interesting apart
ments OF the Plaza de Toros is the
room OF the matad0rs. This apart
ment IS about 20 by 20 feet and Is
adorned with the pictures OF famous
nataccrs and bulls. The room is pro-
vided with.a surgeons operating table
where the ring performer can at once
be removed in case he sustains in5u-
RES The passage for the BUN Is only
a few spaces away from the matador's
room. It is provided with six small
pens called tarilles. each Of which is
OF just sufficient size TO provide
standing room for a bull The bun is
compelled to remain in one OF these
small Enclosures for one hour. after
which the animal irritated By his i'm
prisonment. is released and rushed
into the arena to face the matador.
The arena Is equipped with an cleo
trio lighting system in order that con-
certs OF various kinds may be given
at night The ring has often been
used for benefit performances and the
bull fights have many times been
STAGED Tor raising money for charity
purposes