September 28, 1952
By CLEOFAS CALLEROS
(Editor’s Note: The sixth article of a series on early El Paso history by Cleofas Calleros, El Paso historian.)
Controversial bullfighting has been termed many things – sadistic, inhuman, spectacular, exciting, detestable. Some are thrilled by it, live for it and die for it. Others are revolted by its gory aspects. There are those who scoff that it is called a sport.
Whatever it is, bullfighting was in its heyday here on the border around the gay 90s and the good old days. It presented a new kind of entertainment for the people who had wandered in from the east and Midwest. On Sunday afternoons the El Pasoans flocked across the river, in even greater numbers than now.
The large frame Juarez bull ring is believed to have been built right about the middle of the 19th century or shortly after. The exact date of its construction is not known. In those days it trembled under the pressure of jammed bleachers. Often excitement ran so high, or tempers flared so violently if a fight did not meet expectations, that not only the bull, but the ring and impresario were left in a bad state! It was constantly under repair.
Tracing the history of bullfighting, one finds that since the 15th century the Spanish and Poles have held and glorified it as the most valiant of all sports. Men were happy to die, as they are still, for fame in the ring. Only the most physically fit, the most agile survived. Bullfighting is courage combined with manliness. At lest, such is so until women chose to participate also.
NEW GAME
The middle of the 17th century marked the appearance of a new sport – actually a game – designed to replace bullfighting for the “not so brave.” This was “El Juego de las Canas,” in which a horseman with a lance attempted to place the lance through a ring while spurring his horse at full speed. His sole objective was to win the favor of the queen of the game. “La Canas.”
The game never caught hold. It lacked the thrills, the excitement, the daring that bullfighting offered. Consequently, when the Spaniard conquered the New World, he brought his bulls, his picadors, banderilleros, matadors and torros with him. Since everyone, the Spaniards and the conquered Indians alike, were interested in watching, they soon built magnificent rings throughout Mexico.
These first rings were crudely built. Their construction showed little imagination. However, later they were well built by skilled labor and with good materials. Some of the oldest, largest such rings are tourist attractions in Mexico today.
In our days, our Tom Lea, painter and writer, has given us a world best sell – The Brave Bulls. This interesting book has been translated into more than eight languages.
LIBRARY ON BULLS
Just last week, we were privileged to see the most complete library concerning bulls and bullfighting. Angel Alcazar de Velasco y Velasco, an authority on the subject, ha a 3000-volume collection on bulls; he also has several hundred painting and original etchings. His collection covers everything that has been written about bulls since the 16th century to modern times.
The bullfighting season is determined by the weather. In Juarez, with its warm climate, it is always “Toro de la Temporada.” There can be bullfights most anytime. Since such is true, it is amazing to note the staggering number of persons, who have lived here for ears, but who have never witnessed a bullfight. They should go. Probably they will neither like or enjoy it. But they should go – just once.
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Texas was to celebrate its Semi-Centennial in 1896. The governor issued an appeal calling on all local authorities to contribute to the event. Among the most enthusiastic were our townspeople – making elaborate plans for a local celebration as well as serving on state planning committees. Of course, the heart of Texas was farther away then. If you consider transportation difficulties, but that was of little importance to the hardy pioneers who were interested only in seeing that “this thing is done up right.”
The city and county appointed a committee of prominent businessmen to go to Dallas during the latter part of February. These assisted with state preparations. According to individual reports after their return, they attended colorful, interesting sessions at which scores of typically wealthy ranchers offered awesome sums to aid the celebration.
The county appointed the following committee members: Hon. Robert F. Campbell, Judge Peyton F. Edwards, Judge Albert M. Loomis, and Adolf Solomon.
The city named the following members on the committee; Frank E. Hunter, William Yandell, Juan H. Hart, J.F. Beall, J.C. Pierce, A.G. Molloy, J.M. Hawkins, C.R. Morehead and Charles Davis.
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On the subject of the lack of response given various projects by this city, perhaps the most pungent example is our failure to boost America’s “Good Neighbor Policy.” Advantageously located as we are, and coming into business and social contact each day with our Latin-American neighbors, it would seem that the people of the city would do more to further good international feeling. The Pan-American Roundtable, and other such organizations do wonderful, commendable work toward cementing a permanently secured relationship, but the scope of their work is, quite understandably, too limited.
On Jan. 15, 1896, Sacred Heart School gave the first public entertainment in famous old Chopin Music Hall. The children who participated in the program, a musical literary rendition, were all of Mexican descent. El Pasoans thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse of a different kind of culture which existed “right next door.”
Since that time, though, further attempts toward group activities among the rank and file of the two cities have lessened. We are not real neighbors, striving for unity of thought and purpose.
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TIMES NEWS ITEMS:
Jan. 10, 1896 – The Consumers Ice and Coal Storage Co. began construction of its new plans. Richard Caples, manager, supervised the project.
Jan. 12, 1896 – The county commissioners passed a resolution forbidding dances in the courthouse, on the grounds that there were sufficient dance halls in the city. Further, recommendation was made that citizens hold their social affairs in hotel lobbies or in Chopin Music Hall. The resolution met with stormy protest. The resolution was withdrawn, and a $20.00 rental fee approved for the use of the courthouse ballroom.
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