The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-08-14
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

name to an old c1ubman and he conjures up pretty maid cold bottle and bird.
 But since Frank Derby, the twentieth centurys greatest Baron Munchausen' originated his pipe dream of Bridging the Bigbee with Cocks" just whisper the word rooster" and on two hemispheres the public conjures up the great sale to- take place at Demopolis today.
 Now, Frank has a compelling way, and on his recent visit here en route from Washington with President Wilson" Lloyd George" "Clemenceau' and 'Or- lando.' he asked me to give him rooster, requesting that it should carry the name of Frank Willis Barnett
 I'll admit that I felt honored at such a request, but when he went step fur ther and stipulated that I was to bring him to Demopolis in an airship, I was transported with joy, for ever since my ride to the legislature to attend the suf- fragist hearing I have been crazy about
  describe the greatest sport on earth.
 have never been known for modesty. and although I have had babies named after me in three states. I was bit set up to think that one of Colonel Mo Gregor's famous Tennessee pit games was being rushed to Birmingham for my ben eft, and when a strange young man stopped by my desk to tell me that he had game rooster for me down in front of The Age Herald in his taxicab. I dropped everything and not waiting for the elevator went down to look him over
 came from the center of ~the great chicken fighting section of the state. It was at it's zenith during my boyhood, and perched on the back fence in the rear of one of the saloons where most of the beauty fight to his death while excited men were betting on their favorite.
 
 In spite of it's cruelty there was fas- cination about the contests which thrilled every nerve in my body, and it being such an ordinary occurrence I was har- dened to seeing the gamest birds on earth standing the gaff Yes, there was law against such things, but the officers winked at the sport
 
 As got older and fighting chickens got commercialized and cockpits were held under tents at county fairs, I got a disgust for the useless slaughter of the birds and the reckless men who followed and promoted the meets. I would not to- day care to see fight where cruel metal spurs are bound to the shanks of the cocks, but believe me if I happened along a road where two hitched up with their natural spurs I would not turn my head the other way.
 I have only said this much about cock fighting to lay predicate showing that I know chicken when I see one, and so when I got glimpse of the bird in the coop I knew that McGregor had seen to it that one of the pick of his flock had been shipped to me. I brought him into the office on the ground floor and set him
 
 in all of his good points | went back up- stairs to finish my story.
 soon heard loud growing and he kept it up so proudly that he was moved out by the alley entrance, but from time to time his clarion voice challenging Bir- ningham's roosters to battle floated up through the open windows. I had him brought up and put in the private secre- tarys office, next to Paul Cooks sanc- tum, and had the door closed, but his shrill notes pierced the walls and perme- ated the whole building.
 ! went downtown and bought some he was properly watered. Tuesday called up MT. Barrett and asked him to bring Mrs. Barrett, Jamie, Edward and Kitty to go with me to have my roos- ter's picture taken perched on the paddles of the airship which was to carry him in style down to the big sale Mrs Ship man was to join us at The Age-Herald.
 Four o'clock was the hour set, and the Barrett party headed for the landing field followed in a car in which was Jeffries, Gompers and Frank Willis Barnett" who insisted on growing on the way out We arrived about D. m. and watched the flight which the daring pilot was making with passenger, who was taking all of the stunts know min the repertoire of the birdmen.
 After awhile the biplane turned it's nose earthward and soon made a beautiful landing and turned and wheeled itself to where The Age-Herald party was lined up. It was tremendously hot and the rooster was in evident distress as he was placed on one of the paddles to be photographed. It was hard for him to get toe hold on the thin, slick wood. and he did not show up very we'll in the effect. He looks better in the photograph in which he is shown between Kitty and Edward.
 It may be out of place for me to boast but having seen President Wilson, "i Lloyd George "Clemenceau" and "Or- lando,' all I can say is they have my bird outclassed mile when it comes to distinguished names, but when it comes to being the real thing in the rooster line, Frank Willis Barnett is as fine bred a cock as there is in the land, and won't