BY GEO. B. MEANS.
It would take many days to write a complete history of the Red Cuban Games, and as I only have a limited time, and during my spare time at that, I must, at the beginning, make an apology to those who are interested in the Red Cubans, on account of the briefness of this history.
It has been 55 years since the originals of the Red Cubans landed in this country. Charleston, S. C., was the city where they landed, in the year 1871, and it was in 1877 that my father, George W. Means, became the proud possessor of his first trio of that stock of Spanish-Cuban blood. The dead gameness of the Spanish-Cuban blood is known in all parts of the world, and that trio was the beginning of the strain of fowls now known the world over as the “Means Red Cubans.”
In the beginning all the Red Cubans were red, hence the name “Red Cuban.” It wasn’t very long before new blood became necessary to prevent inbreeding. The first infusion of new blood was one-eighth of the original “Old Nick Arrington Stonefence,” such as was bred by him before the ’sixties. This one-eighth proportion of new blood was added in this manner: It was done by mating in small yards, the first year. a pure Stonefence cock to three pure Cuban hens; the second year a stag from the first mating was used on another yard of pure Cuban hens (this stag was of course one-half Cuban and one-half Stonefence); and from the second mating a stag was produced that was one-fourth Stonefence and three-fourths Cuban; and the third year this cock was used with pure Cuban hens, and this mating produced stags that were one-eighth Stonefence and seven-eighths Cuban. These were then used as brood cocks on the regular yards. At another time my father, by breeding in that same manner, infused one-eighth blood of an extra fine cock which he obtained at a South Carolina main. This cock was a cross between a Rucker Warhorse and a Hackle.
Sometime after this he secured another fine cock, sent to him from a Charleston main, and he was as fine a cock as was ever used for breeding—a beautiful bird and a winner of several fights.
Another infusion was one-eighth imported Derby stock, obtained by him from Mr. Charles Harris, of this city, a friend having made the shipment to him. This fine cock was admired by many, and his gameness and fighting qualities were all that could be desired in any cock.
Some more infusions are as follows, and these infusions are of strictly Cuban blood:
Captain Holt, a friend of my father, and who for years ran a merchant vessel from Wilmington, N. C., to the West Indies, purchased for him a magnificent cock. Captain Holt brought the cock over on his last voyage in person. This cock was a terrific fighter and his progeny dead game. This was a valuable addition to the Red Cuban blood. Captain Holt now resides in Texas.
On another occasion, and through the kindness of Hon. E. R. Chervalley, who was known as a lover of thoroughbred stock, my father was enabled to procure a fine Spanish cock, another valuable addition, and as game as could be.
Another infusion which explains where most of the tasseled Red Cubans are from, is a pair of tasseled Cubans imported directly from Havana about thirty-four years ago. Of this pair, the cock stood the test, and all his offspring, as well as the hen.
A little later, when General Lee was American representative in Cuba, and an acquaintance of my father, he secured for him a pair of the celebrated Rodrigues strain. This particular blood is said to be the best in the island of Cuba. It was well tested and infused in every yard.
Then there was another beautiful cock that was loaned him, so that he might breed him, by a friend in Baltimore, whose name is coupled with that of some of the best game fowl in America. This cock was called a spangle, but he came nearer to being a pyle. At any rate many of his offspring were pyles. This cock was bred in 1902 to one of his largest and most highly prized Cuban hens. Then his Baltimore friend gave him permission to test the cock to a finish, and he proved to be pure game. All the stags from that mating (except the one that he sent his friend) were tested and all died fighting to the very last. One of them was bred before testing, and from that one was taken the brood stock.
For infusion of more new blood, I will now go back to 1906 and mention another great cock that helped to make the Red Cubans what they are today. Mr. Wilson Wright of Tampa, Fla., a patron and friend of my father, visited Havana in that year, and while there with a Spanish friend, attended a pit at which Senor Juan N. Cannizares, one of the most noted cockers of the Cuban Republic was handling. Mr. Wright was presented to him by his friend. During that same day Sr. Cannizares pitted a beautiful black-breasted, yellow-leg cock which won after a hard fight. Mr. Wright was much impressed by the cock’s action in battle, and also by his style and beauty. His Spanish friend, noting this, bought the cock from Sr. Cannizares, paying 46 for him, and presented him to Mr. Wright. The fight that day made the cock a winner of five battles, and later on, in the spring, he won three more battles for Mr. Wright, making in all an eight-times winner of him. Mr. Wright then presented this cock to my father, who bred him to two of his finest hens, and secured from that mating a few fine stags and pullets. Later on he raised enough from these to give a thorough test of that blood and found it so satisfactory in every respect that he infused it into his yards.
All of the foregoing is the blood of the Red Cubans as it is today. It was necessary to add new blood from time to time, and it was done in a scientific way. As stated, nothing but the very best blood was added. Inbreeding cannot be done for very long at a time, except at the expense of bone, muscle and general vitality.
The Red Cubans are now bred on 21 different yards, and also several small yards. The stock is pedigreed by breeding full sisters on a yard, and then by properly breeding from one yard to another. This results in keeping all the lines of blood up, and also results in well-formed, strong-muscled cocks, without the introduction of new blood, only as mentioned. There is practically no weeding out to be done. Occasionally there are a few “culls” or birds that are not shaped up properly, and these are disposed of at once. Much care is taken in selecting the cocks and hens to breed from, on the Cuban yards, and constant vigilance is the price of success. Like does not always beget like, as many firmly believe. One will find this out to his sorrow if he tries to inbreed for any length of time; and new blood should be tested for quite a while before being added to good stock.
I am somewhat of a believer in evolution (and as I live next state to Tennessee I realize that it is rather dangerous to make this statement, but I am obliged to believe in it) for I have seen it work out to an extent with my own eyes. I am almost 38 years of age, and was brought up with the Red Cubans.
By my father’s careful and selective breeding I have seen the Red Cubans “evolute” from a small breed, with cocks on an average of about 4 pounds in weight, to what they are today, with an average weight of cocks around 6 pounds. Being well acquainted with his method of breeding, I could easily make them average 7 pounds in another ten years. But the demand calls for cocks weighing on an average of about 5 pounds, 8 ounces, and the Red Cubans won’t be bred up to a larger size until the demand is for larger cocks. Some of the Red Cubans weigh up to 8 pounds now, but very seldom does one attain that weight.
Now I will tell my readers just where and how the Red Cubans came by their different colors. As I have mentioned before, the Cubans were all red originally. Now the colors vary from a spangle to a coal black. Included in this assortment of colors are light reds, dark reds, blue-reds, a few red-pyles, and some almost white-pyles. Dark red, however, is the predominating color among the Red Cubans. The blacks are from the Chervalley cock as mentioned before, and from the Hackle, one being very dark, and the other a coal black with brass wing butts, from which one of my father’s famous cocks, “Starlight” by name, was descended. The blue-red, pyle, and also the spangle, came from the Rodriguez blood. The latter blood brought forth quite a number of spangles, and wherever this blood was infused an occasional spangle appears. Sometimes these spangles gradually turn white each year at moulting season until the cock seems to be almost white, and the hens sometimes pure white.
As to the shape of heads on Red Cubans, they have large heads well set upon strong, lengthy necks. Most of the Cubans have straight combs (or single combs). They also have knob-combs and tassel (or roundhead and tassel). By carefully reading the different infusions it will be made clear where the tassel and knob-comb (or roundhead) comes from. The tassel and knob-comb can easily be bred out, yet the blood retained. As the demand for knob-combs or tassels is not very great, they have been bred down as much as possible, and not a great many appear among the Cubans. The Red Cubans are of a good average station, and have large, heavy-boned legs set wide apart, and are generally dark in color. But they also show white, moccasin and yellow legs, all of which comes from the imported Derby blood, the Holt, and the Cannezares cock.
Each cock used on the Red Cuban yards for breeding is put through a rigid examination. He is carefully looked over for any deformities, and he must be dead game. Some contend that a cock that has been fought a few times should not be used as a brood cock, but if that were so the Red Cubans would never
have gotten a start. All blood on brood yards has been tested. If the brood cock himself has not been tested his father has, and very often a brother or two. All of the brood hens are of tested stock and must conform in all particulars to the qualities that a first-class brood hen should have.
There are hundreds of Red Cuban cocks that have outstanding records and that have fought for big money, and their descendants are equally as good. I will name a few of the famous cocks that have given fame to the Red Cubans.
First I will name “Jaybird,” the most famous and best known Cuban of all, whose picture adorns the wall of many a sportsman’s den. In 1898 Jaybird won. at Jesus Maria, Mexico, 10,000 in one battle. In all he won four battles and fought for more money than any cock of his day, and he was sold for more money than any game cock on record.
“Patchen,” another famous cock, and a son of Jaybird, was winner of seven battles, and although he was not fought for as much money as Jaybird he was every inch as fine a cock. The Patchen and Jaybird blood was infused into every yard of the Red Cubans except five.
Other great Cubans and brood cocks are as follows:
“Starlight,” a beautiful coal black cock with a few brassy colored spots on each wing. He was a shake, weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces. He was winner of three battles and his opponents were some of the best. There are three yards of this blood today, and his descendants have upheld his reputation for fighting ability.
“Stonewall” was another cock that was several times winner, and used as a brood cock with the best of results.
Other famous cocks were: “Gaston,’ ” weight 8 pounds; “Daylight,” weight 7 pounds, 2 ounces; “Allen Cooper,” weight 7 pounds; “Evan Taylor,” weight 6 pounds, 4 ounces; “Albemarle,” weight 5 pounds, 12 ounces; and “Darkness,” the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. I could name a hundred or more that were great brood cocks and wonderful fighters, with enough victories to their credit to fill a good-sized book, and all were pitted against the best, their records being made only by hard-fought battles.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to give the readers of this brief history a record of the mains fought by the Red Cubans over a period covering the last ten or twenty years, but for me to attempt that would mean that I would have to write to a great many people who fought many of those mains and get their permission to use their names. Also I would have to look up dates and go over many thousands of letters to get a complete record.
After all, the object of this history is to give the readers the origin of the Red Cubans, and to show what method was used in past and what method is being used now to keep the Red Cubans second to none in gameness and fighting ability.
All the yards of Red Cubans are in the hands of men who have had many years experience in raising game chickens. One of the yards has been in charge of one family for two genthose mains, and on account of the fact that the Red Cubans were up against some of the best fighting strains.
When the “Derby Game Bird” was published at Tell City, Ind., a record was kept of battles fought by different strains. This record was kept for five years and every strain was striving for the lead. The showing of the Red Cubans in that record was 408 battles won out of 564, and the next best record made by a well known strain was 263 out of 514.
In conclusion, I wish to ask my readers to pardon me if the tone of this history sounds a little boastful. A lover of game fowl is apt to get a little boastful in writing of his own strain of birds, and I am not unaware of the fact erations. That yard was started just 37 years ago. Another yard has been in charge of the same man for 27 years. It is of great assistance in carrying out the proper method of breeding to have nothing but experienced men on the yards.
If I find the time I will at a later date attempt to give a complete and authentic record of mains fought exclusively by the Red Cubans, and also to give percentage of all hacks fought by Red Cubans that have been reported for the last ten or fifteen years.
The Red Cubans were originated in 1877 and have borne that name since that date. The year 1927 is the 50th anniversary of the Red Cuban games as bred and originated by George W. Means.
It has been an undisputed fact that the Red Cubans have participated in more great mains in this country, Mexico, Canada and the Philippines than any other strain, and have the credit of having won some of the most sensational victories. Below are a few mains in which the Red Cubans won practically every fight:
In a large main at Chihuahua, Mexico, they won 23 battles out of 23 fought; at Durango, Mexico, they won 16 out of 17; in Elmira, N. Y., they won 6 out of 7; near the town of Ashland, Ky., won 14 out of 17; at Charleston, W. Va., 4 out of 5; and at Stampburg, Pompano Province, Philippine Islands, they won 7 out of 9.
I mention the above fights on account of the large amounts of money that changed hands at that there are many strains of fine fowl and that each man thinks his own are the best. I hope that it will never be said of me that I have tried to sell one bird by slinging mud at anyone else’s strain of fowl. I submit this history, brother cockers, for your approval, and hope that all our efforts in the future will be for “the good of the order.”
It has been 55 years since the originals of the Red Cubans landed in this country. Charleston, S. C., was the city where they landed, in the year 1871, and it was in 1877 that my father, George W. Means, became the proud possessor of his first trio of that stock of Spanish-Cuban blood. The dead gameness of the Spanish-Cuban blood is known in all parts of the world, and that trio was the beginning of the strain of fowls now known the world over as the “Means Red Cubans.”
In the beginning all the Red Cubans were red, hence the name “Red Cuban.” It wasn’t very long before new blood became necessary to prevent inbreeding. The first infusion of new blood was one-eighth of the original “Old Nick Arrington Stonefence,” such as was bred by him before the ’sixties. This one-eighth proportion of new blood was added in this manner: It was done by mating in small yards, the first year. a pure Stonefence cock to three pure Cuban hens; the second year a stag from the first mating was used on another yard of pure Cuban hens (this stag was of course one-half Cuban and one-half Stonefence); and from the second mating a stag was produced that was one-fourth Stonefence and three-fourths Cuban; and the third year this cock was used with pure Cuban hens, and this mating produced stags that were one-eighth Stonefence and seven-eighths Cuban. These were then used as brood cocks on the regular yards. At another time my father, by breeding in that same manner, infused one-eighth blood of an extra fine cock which he obtained at a South Carolina main. This cock was a cross between a Rucker Warhorse and a Hackle.
Sometime after this he secured another fine cock, sent to him from a Charleston main, and he was as fine a cock as was ever used for breeding—a beautiful bird and a winner of several fights.
Another infusion was one-eighth imported Derby stock, obtained by him from Mr. Charles Harris, of this city, a friend having made the shipment to him. This fine cock was admired by many, and his gameness and fighting qualities were all that could be desired in any cock.
Some more infusions are as follows, and these infusions are of strictly Cuban blood:
Captain Holt, a friend of my father, and who for years ran a merchant vessel from Wilmington, N. C., to the West Indies, purchased for him a magnificent cock. Captain Holt brought the cock over on his last voyage in person. This cock was a terrific fighter and his progeny dead game. This was a valuable addition to the Red Cuban blood. Captain Holt now resides in Texas.
On another occasion, and through the kindness of Hon. E. R. Chervalley, who was known as a lover of thoroughbred stock, my father was enabled to procure a fine Spanish cock, another valuable addition, and as game as could be.
Another infusion which explains where most of the tasseled Red Cubans are from, is a pair of tasseled Cubans imported directly from Havana about thirty-four years ago. Of this pair, the cock stood the test, and all his offspring, as well as the hen.
A little later, when General Lee was American representative in Cuba, and an acquaintance of my father, he secured for him a pair of the celebrated Rodrigues strain. This particular blood is said to be the best in the island of Cuba. It was well tested and infused in every yard.
Then there was another beautiful cock that was loaned him, so that he might breed him, by a friend in Baltimore, whose name is coupled with that of some of the best game fowl in America. This cock was called a spangle, but he came nearer to being a pyle. At any rate many of his offspring were pyles. This cock was bred in 1902 to one of his largest and most highly prized Cuban hens. Then his Baltimore friend gave him permission to test the cock to a finish, and he proved to be pure game. All the stags from that mating (except the one that he sent his friend) were tested and all died fighting to the very last. One of them was bred before testing, and from that one was taken the brood stock.
For infusion of more new blood, I will now go back to 1906 and mention another great cock that helped to make the Red Cubans what they are today. Mr. Wilson Wright of Tampa, Fla., a patron and friend of my father, visited Havana in that year, and while there with a Spanish friend, attended a pit at which Senor Juan N. Cannizares, one of the most noted cockers of the Cuban Republic was handling. Mr. Wright was presented to him by his friend. During that same day Sr. Cannizares pitted a beautiful black-breasted, yellow-leg cock which won after a hard fight. Mr. Wright was much impressed by the cock’s action in battle, and also by his style and beauty. His Spanish friend, noting this, bought the cock from Sr. Cannizares, paying 46 for him, and presented him to Mr. Wright. The fight that day made the cock a winner of five battles, and later on, in the spring, he won three more battles for Mr. Wright, making in all an eight-times winner of him. Mr. Wright then presented this cock to my father, who bred him to two of his finest hens, and secured from that mating a few fine stags and pullets. Later on he raised enough from these to give a thorough test of that blood and found it so satisfactory in every respect that he infused it into his yards.
All of the foregoing is the blood of the Red Cubans as it is today. It was necessary to add new blood from time to time, and it was done in a scientific way. As stated, nothing but the very best blood was added. Inbreeding cannot be done for very long at a time, except at the expense of bone, muscle and general vitality.
The Red Cubans are now bred on 21 different yards, and also several small yards. The stock is pedigreed by breeding full sisters on a yard, and then by properly breeding from one yard to another. This results in keeping all the lines of blood up, and also results in well-formed, strong-muscled cocks, without the introduction of new blood, only as mentioned. There is practically no weeding out to be done. Occasionally there are a few “culls” or birds that are not shaped up properly, and these are disposed of at once. Much care is taken in selecting the cocks and hens to breed from, on the Cuban yards, and constant vigilance is the price of success. Like does not always beget like, as many firmly believe. One will find this out to his sorrow if he tries to inbreed for any length of time; and new blood should be tested for quite a while before being added to good stock.
I am somewhat of a believer in evolution (and as I live next state to Tennessee I realize that it is rather dangerous to make this statement, but I am obliged to believe in it) for I have seen it work out to an extent with my own eyes. I am almost 38 years of age, and was brought up with the Red Cubans.
By my father’s careful and selective breeding I have seen the Red Cubans “evolute” from a small breed, with cocks on an average of about 4 pounds in weight, to what they are today, with an average weight of cocks around 6 pounds. Being well acquainted with his method of breeding, I could easily make them average 7 pounds in another ten years. But the demand calls for cocks weighing on an average of about 5 pounds, 8 ounces, and the Red Cubans won’t be bred up to a larger size until the demand is for larger cocks. Some of the Red Cubans weigh up to 8 pounds now, but very seldom does one attain that weight.
Now I will tell my readers just where and how the Red Cubans came by their different colors. As I have mentioned before, the Cubans were all red originally. Now the colors vary from a spangle to a coal black. Included in this assortment of colors are light reds, dark reds, blue-reds, a few red-pyles, and some almost white-pyles. Dark red, however, is the predominating color among the Red Cubans. The blacks are from the Chervalley cock as mentioned before, and from the Hackle, one being very dark, and the other a coal black with brass wing butts, from which one of my father’s famous cocks, “Starlight” by name, was descended. The blue-red, pyle, and also the spangle, came from the Rodriguez blood. The latter blood brought forth quite a number of spangles, and wherever this blood was infused an occasional spangle appears. Sometimes these spangles gradually turn white each year at moulting season until the cock seems to be almost white, and the hens sometimes pure white.
As to the shape of heads on Red Cubans, they have large heads well set upon strong, lengthy necks. Most of the Cubans have straight combs (or single combs). They also have knob-combs and tassel (or roundhead and tassel). By carefully reading the different infusions it will be made clear where the tassel and knob-comb (or roundhead) comes from. The tassel and knob-comb can easily be bred out, yet the blood retained. As the demand for knob-combs or tassels is not very great, they have been bred down as much as possible, and not a great many appear among the Cubans. The Red Cubans are of a good average station, and have large, heavy-boned legs set wide apart, and are generally dark in color. But they also show white, moccasin and yellow legs, all of which comes from the imported Derby blood, the Holt, and the Cannezares cock.
Each cock used on the Red Cuban yards for breeding is put through a rigid examination. He is carefully looked over for any deformities, and he must be dead game. Some contend that a cock that has been fought a few times should not be used as a brood cock, but if that were so the Red Cubans would never
have gotten a start. All blood on brood yards has been tested. If the brood cock himself has not been tested his father has, and very often a brother or two. All of the brood hens are of tested stock and must conform in all particulars to the qualities that a first-class brood hen should have.
There are hundreds of Red Cuban cocks that have outstanding records and that have fought for big money, and their descendants are equally as good. I will name a few of the famous cocks that have given fame to the Red Cubans.
First I will name “Jaybird,” the most famous and best known Cuban of all, whose picture adorns the wall of many a sportsman’s den. In 1898 Jaybird won. at Jesus Maria, Mexico, 10,000 in one battle. In all he won four battles and fought for more money than any cock of his day, and he was sold for more money than any game cock on record.
“Patchen,” another famous cock, and a son of Jaybird, was winner of seven battles, and although he was not fought for as much money as Jaybird he was every inch as fine a cock. The Patchen and Jaybird blood was infused into every yard of the Red Cubans except five.
Other great Cubans and brood cocks are as follows:
“Starlight,” a beautiful coal black cock with a few brassy colored spots on each wing. He was a shake, weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces. He was winner of three battles and his opponents were some of the best. There are three yards of this blood today, and his descendants have upheld his reputation for fighting ability.
“Stonewall” was another cock that was several times winner, and used as a brood cock with the best of results.
Other famous cocks were: “Gaston,’ ” weight 8 pounds; “Daylight,” weight 7 pounds, 2 ounces; “Allen Cooper,” weight 7 pounds; “Evan Taylor,” weight 6 pounds, 4 ounces; “Albemarle,” weight 5 pounds, 12 ounces; and “Darkness,” the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. I could name a hundred or more that were great brood cocks and wonderful fighters, with enough victories to their credit to fill a good-sized book, and all were pitted against the best, their records being made only by hard-fought battles.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to give the readers of this brief history a record of the mains fought by the Red Cubans over a period covering the last ten or twenty years, but for me to attempt that would mean that I would have to write to a great many people who fought many of those mains and get their permission to use their names. Also I would have to look up dates and go over many thousands of letters to get a complete record.
After all, the object of this history is to give the readers the origin of the Red Cubans, and to show what method was used in past and what method is being used now to keep the Red Cubans second to none in gameness and fighting ability.
All the yards of Red Cubans are in the hands of men who have had many years experience in raising game chickens. One of the yards has been in charge of one family for two genthose mains, and on account of the fact that the Red Cubans were up against some of the best fighting strains.
When the “Derby Game Bird” was published at Tell City, Ind., a record was kept of battles fought by different strains. This record was kept for five years and every strain was striving for the lead. The showing of the Red Cubans in that record was 408 battles won out of 564, and the next best record made by a well known strain was 263 out of 514.
In conclusion, I wish to ask my readers to pardon me if the tone of this history sounds a little boastful. A lover of game fowl is apt to get a little boastful in writing of his own strain of birds, and I am not unaware of the fact erations. That yard was started just 37 years ago. Another yard has been in charge of the same man for 27 years. It is of great assistance in carrying out the proper method of breeding to have nothing but experienced men on the yards.
If I find the time I will at a later date attempt to give a complete and authentic record of mains fought exclusively by the Red Cubans, and also to give percentage of all hacks fought by Red Cubans that have been reported for the last ten or fifteen years.
The Red Cubans were originated in 1877 and have borne that name since that date. The year 1927 is the 50th anniversary of the Red Cuban games as bred and originated by George W. Means.
It has been an undisputed fact that the Red Cubans have participated in more great mains in this country, Mexico, Canada and the Philippines than any other strain, and have the credit of having won some of the most sensational victories. Below are a few mains in which the Red Cubans won practically every fight:
In a large main at Chihuahua, Mexico, they won 23 battles out of 23 fought; at Durango, Mexico, they won 16 out of 17; in Elmira, N. Y., they won 6 out of 7; near the town of Ashland, Ky., won 14 out of 17; at Charleston, W. Va., 4 out of 5; and at Stampburg, Pompano Province, Philippine Islands, they won 7 out of 9.
I mention the above fights on account of the large amounts of money that changed hands at that there are many strains of fine fowl and that each man thinks his own are the best. I hope that it will never be said of me that I have tried to sell one bird by slinging mud at anyone else’s strain of fowl. I submit this history, brother cockers, for your approval, and hope that all our efforts in the future will be for “the good of the order.”
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