THE COCKPIT
By ERNESTO HINOJAS SR.

Part 4 of the narratives of
Gamecocks’ bloodlines, 53

HE is close to our family as we are to his but greed and money however has changed all that. Information has reached me saying that our chicken are sold in the Philippines by someone who say that the stock came from the Bruce Burnett Farm and to back up such ridiculous claim reports had it that he (Bruce) even attended a World Slasher Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. If this is not insane, what do you call this?”

A CHAT WITH RAY BOLES
Last February 1, 2004, this writer had a chance encounter with Ray Boles at the Iloilo Coliseum and he agreed to be interviewed. According to him when he retired from the Chicago-based construction company, where he was working for 33 years he helped out his friend Carol NeSmith in his farm for awhile. During those periods he also bred chickens that were basically of Sweater and Roundhead strains in his small farm located at the Carbon Hills, Alabama, about seven miles south of Nauvoo.

We temporarily skipped from the main subject of our conversation to talk about the “Sweater” strain of fowls. Ray asked: “Who ever heard of the Sweaters in Alabama and nearby states until Carol Nesmith started fighting them?” When this writer asked him point blank- “Who originated the “Sweaters” strain? His response was: “Sweater Mc Ginnis was the one who made the yellow-legged strain fowl that people had referred to as the original brood cock of the said strain.” Coincidentally, Sweater Mc Ginnis was working for Walter Kelso during those periods. The so-called Yellow Legged Hatch was mated to a Kelso hen and out of its offspring, Cecil Davis got one stag and then bred it back to the Kelso hen to get a ¾ Kelso and ¼ Yellow Legged Hatch which became the foundation line of the original “Sweaters”. Ray added that Johnnie Jumper, Cecil Davis and Duke Hulsey were the witnesses to such narratives.

Earlier in 2003, this writer also wrote about the Sweaters and has stated in his article that after the derby where Mc Ginnis was a run away winner with his new yellow legs, four renowned breeders asked him to sell them the winners and he did. They were Harold Brown, Walter Kelso, Duke Hulsey and Ray Hoskins. In short, the Ray Boles version is close to the truth. Cecil Davis was like a son to Walter Kelso and it was the latter that has asked him (Cecil) to breed it.

Based on Ray Boles’ narration, Johnnie Jumper was the one who told the story of the “Sweaters” to George Wood, a nephew of the late Judge Lacy. Ray said that he considers George Wood, as the most honest man he had ever known in his life.

George wrote about the Sweater strain based on his personal knowledge and research in the Gamecock Magazine sometime ago (two to three years ago).

Ray further claimed that Otis Chappel had the best producing strain among the Sweaters.

The original brood cock was a blinker and Otis bred it for one year and then gave it to George Lay. From whatever strain the brood hen that was used or mated to the said brood cock came from, nobody knows. Anyway, the resulting offspring of such mating were good. As a matter of fact, Carol NeSmith got his first Sweater cock from Otis Chappel.
There were also others who bred the “Sweaters” during those periods. Among them were Sonny Ware, who reportedly crossed it with Pumpkin-Radio Line strain and Roy Brady, who had it with a Hatch blood.

When asked what strain of hen that Carol had blended with the Odis Chappel’s Sweaters, His good guess was a yellow-legged hatch strain. He however is not 100% certain about his answer. In this regard, Nene Abello had volunteered to provide the data.

According to him (Abello), Harold Brown discarded the “Sweaters” and the people that had them could not give them away. Carol got the “Sweater” and crossed them to some Gene Brown (Oak Grove Farm) yellow legs during their partnership and the resulting offspring started their winning streak that lasted for a long time demolishing all competitions.

The winning streaks of Carol NeSmith strain of Sweaters solicited a remark from Jim Kent who said: “That combine (referring to the blending made by Carol) - to the yellow leg hatch had the best chicken today and will continue to do so for a long time.”
Finally, Abello quipped: “Most Sweaters were bred to different families and were fought in Mexico and the Philippines and became the most sought fowl.”

In the latter part of the conversation, Ray Boles said that he himself started breeding a “Sweater” stock that George Wood had given him. The said brood cock came from the original Blinker Line that Otis Chappel had given to George Wood. He mated the said Blinker Line to a Roundhead hen that was sourced out from the Lacy Roundhead strain of the same breeder. Considering that it was an old brood cock when he got it, he was only able to produce one (1) stag and that’s it. He bred the said stag by blending it once more with the Lacy Roundhead and then bred it back toward the Sweater as he continued the breeding process.

According to Ray, the said brood cock is the grandson of the Blinker. It died three weeks ago [January 4, 2004] and at the time of its death it was already something like 15 years old.

Ray Boles claimed that a Filipino cocker bought some 100 stags and 80 pullets from him over the two years period (2000 & 2001) only to discover later that the said stock were banded by the said person with a “BLACKWATER FARM” wing bands for obvious reason and that is to make a huge profit.

This writer told Ray Boles that report had it that Bruce Burnett had never fought nor won a derby with any type of chickens much less with the Sweaters. On the said question, Boles opted to keep mum on the issue.

Meanwhile, after the dinner tendered by the Abello couple, Nene and Nena at their palatial home in Bacolod City last February 3 (2004), this writer had the chance to talk once more to Ray Boles and Nene Abello regarding the burning “Bruce Burnett” issue.
In this regard no less than Ray Boles had confirmed that indeed Bruce Burnett had few chickens, in fact so few to mention that it has become a wonder where he got all those 400 chickens or so that he sold to Sonny Lagon few years ago.

Nene Abello on his part said that although Bruce Burnett is his friend, he finds it unbelievable to hear that he (Bruce) had produced those many chickens, much more the “Sweaters” strain because as Chris NeSmith had earlier said- the fellow was not a breeder even up to the year 2001.

On top of it all, the “Breeder” thing started when Carol NeSmith wanted to advertise his farm in the cocking journals. He listed Mike Glover as the feeder of the Blackwater Farm bred-fowls that they are fighting in a derby; Ronnie Justice was the official handler and pitter of the group; Carol was listed as the owner; and Chris as the farm manager.

Inasmuch as Bruce Burnett has no significant role to play at all they listed him as the breeder of the farm, which of course is not true. It was done only to give him a name and the role to play, primarily because he is a close friend of Carol and secondly, it was Carol idea to include him in the publicity.

CLOSING STATEMENT
The reason why I wrote an article about the “Sweaters” is because close to a thousand people wanted to know more about the said strain. Most of the interested parties are still at a lost about the “Sweaters” and how it came into being.

In my trips to the provinces, I had the privilege of seeing face to face, roosters that people call –“SWEATERS.” My God, I wish the chickens could talk, so that they can tell me the truth.

Before I finally close this particular portion of the Narratives of Gamecock’s Bloodlines, I wish to state here that if someone would come forward and disprove the statement made by Chris NeSmith, this column would be too glad to publish the said response. But knowing fully well the background of the case, this writer sincerely doubts if somebody could come up with a credible rebut. On top of everything, this writer almost knew all credible American gamefowl breeders who were shipping chicken to the Philippines, Carol NeSmith included. Almost all of them were the clients of this writer for more than 20 years until he decided to call it quit. In the same manner, this writer is well aware too of the strains and bloodlines of most breeders bred in the U.S. This is because of the simple reason that he has continuously been transacting business with them for over a period of two decades. Believe you me, this writer had imported more chickens than any person in the Philippines, and has privilege information about strains and bloodlines not readily available to ordinary mortals.

HISTORY OF SHAWLNECKS
One of the most famous strains of game fowl in the U.S. in the 1800’s to the early 1900’s was the “Shawlnecks” of Georgia.

According to its recorded accounts, its beginning could be traced in the winter of 1848 or about that time. Capt. Seymour Bonner and Dr. Bose Griggs, both Georgians were at a cockfight in New Orleans, Louisiana. An Englishman, named John Hammond fought a beautiful yellow-legged, pale-red cock, with white tail and underfeathers. His tail was nearly solid white, had a bonnet or tassel rooted at the base of his comb. The cock made a terrible long game fight, but lost. Capt. Bonner and Dr. Griggs paid Hammond a fabulous price for the said cock, which he called the “English Shawl”.

Dr.Griggs crossed it with his fowl, which were already very reputed. When the American Civil War broke out (1861-65), unlike some Southerners’ breeders, Dr. Griggs who was a disabled person, (had only one leg) did not serve in the Civil War and consequently his games were kept in their purity.

Another fellow, who would later prominently figure in the success of the strain called, Shawlnecks was John Barclay, a wealthy landowner, who was living at Twigs County, fifteen miles from Macon, Georgia. He was a friend of Dr. Griggs. They fought cocks together, as Dr. Griggs spent most of his time in Macon. Barclay and Griggs exchanged fowl, as all cockers do as a rule. Dr. Griggs thought a great deal of his new cross and infused it through his fowl. When the American Civil War broke out, John Barclay served as a Captain for the Confederate Army and during his long absence his fowl went to ruin.

Barclay returned and discovered that he would have to begin anew. He requested the Doctor to provide him with new stock. The Doctor gave John Barclay a young cock that was a duplicate of his father, the English Shawl cock.

John Barclay bought five hens of old Dr. Shai (Louisville, Kentucky) and put the young cock over them. These Kentucky hens had topknots or crests and they were red all over, showed white in wings and had red eyes and yellow legs. It must be understood that the English cock also had a topknot or tassel. It cut out white and also showed white in wings and tail.

The English Shawl cock and the Dr. Shai strain of hens have made a perfect combination and from then on started making waves. Quoting from a remark made in the Grit & Steel, December 1907 issue, it said: “they are scattered all over the universe, and have few rivals who can compare in beauty and strength and none that compete successfully with them in the pit.”

Meanwhile, aside from the above version, an author of another article, entitled Georgia Shawlnecks (Grit & Steel, December 1907) claimed that the Georgia Shawlnecks pit game originally come from a half dozen birds that were bred in England and brought to this country by an English vessel, which touched the Brunswick Harbor in Georgia.

The said author claimed that while the vessel was at Brunswick, John Barclay secured the possession of the birds, and brought them to his home in Twigs County, Georgia. This occurred just before the war (American Civil War). While away at his country’s service, his family bred and took care of them. On his return he at once prepared to resume his loved sport. He arranged a main to be fought in Macon, Georgia, against Col. Tom Bacon, of South Carolina, and at this fight the noted birds received their name, which they had made so famous in the year 1869. This fight took place in the backyard of Mr. Blake Johnson, where the saloon known as the “Bird Cage” now stands. Many famous fights have been fought there since.

In 1920, George J. Garrett, a noted breeder of his time, wrote Grit & Steel and stated in his article his own version of the “Shawlnecks” strain. According to him, “It appears to me that we are dealing with a situation wherein two varying sources lead to the same conclusion, that Col. Barclay produced one great family or strain of fighting cocks and that Chas. F. Brown produced another of equally outstanding pit qualities, both being closely related unquestionably and known years ago as the Georgia Shawlnecks. I have received many inquiries from widely separated sections of the United States wishing to be directed as to sources from which the pure Georgia Shawlnecks strain could be secured, and to all inquirers I frankly confessed that to say where was regrettably beyond my knowledge.”

The Charlie Brown Shawlnecks that I bred years ago were cocks of medium station (no stilly feature about them) and, as a rule, their legs stood wide apart, the color being yellow, green, and leaden in shades. NO birds ever showed more unflinching eyes, being of red pepper colors varying some light brown; others being ginger, however, red predominated. The plume feathers and wings of the cocks showed some white. The topknots cropped out on both cocks and hens. The wings of both were wide, heavy and well lapped. Another characteristic was strong beaks that enabled the cock to bill his opponent with an unfaltering grip, terrier-like in fact, not releasing its hold until the other cock was shifted across the pit with those deadly shuffles that riddled and cut into shoestrings, the other cock cut to pieces and put out of action. Col. F. E. Grist bought his foundation stock of Shawlnecks from Charlie Brown. The high station and standardized yellow legs of his Champions, evidence that he injected crosses.

The recollection of men as to the history of this great strain varies in conflicting manner but somehow if you check carefully the story, there is no question that all boils down to the same thing: SHAWLNECKS were one of the greatest strain of fowls that ever lived.
Regardless of whose version is right, the fact of the matter remains that the Shawlnecks were considered top of the line strain during the 1800’s up to the 1900’s.

Hereunder is a featured narrative of the history of the Shawlnecks, published in the Grit & Steel Magazine way back in 1904 or 100 years ago. Another article was published in December 1907, and a month later (January 1908), an article entitled, True Origin of the Shawlnecks saw prints once more. For two consecutive months in 1913 (November and December), articles concerning the narratives of the Shawlnecks were published again in the Grit & Steel. In 1920 and sometime later, three more articles were written. All the said articles are presented here and have undergone the usual editing process. Written by eight individuals, the articles will surely enrich the knowledge of the readers about the history of proven and tested strains of game fowl.

SHAWLNECKS EVOLUTION
Narrated by Mat Chesbro (Greenville, New York) Grit & Steel, June 1904
Having had numerous calls for articles about Georgia Shawlnecks, I had lifted the pen to comply with the best of my ability. I am indebted to Charlie M. Hollifield of Macon, Georgia, for the dates and other items in this article and in some instances I had copied entirely from his article and letters.

Hollifield was cognizant that his articles were criticized pro and con, when he ventured to give a history of the Shawlnecks, or when he had put forth his best efforts on explaining the theories of breeding and fighting gamecocks. To him, to me and to all others afflicted with the mania for game fowl, the increasing interest in cocking in very gratifying. I do not think there was ever a time the world’s history when cock fighting figured so prominently in sporting circles as it does today. The numerous periodicals published in its interest are the best index to indicate the magnitude of the sport, and it’s thousand of devotees. When we compare the present man and his works of today with man and his works in the almost obscure ages of the past, and note the material improvement and the regular evolution of things; when we compare the rude dug-out boats of barbarous times, with the mammoth war vessels of present civilization; when we compare the regular increasing speed of horses even during the last century, is it not reasonable to suppose that through these ages the game cock has kept pace with the regular progressiveness of other entitles? There are in fact but few and real distinct line strains of gamecocks and these generally are the types found in the different countries. There is an almost absolute difference, and so it is with the Japs to the Aseels to the others.

On account of the relationship of European with this country, it was long until English, Scotch, Irish, and Spanish fowl were imported here and finished us the first game fowl known on these shores, and not until a comparatively short time back, that strains from more distinct countries were sent here.

The so-called hundreds of different strains of game fowl bred in the United States therefore are simply different combinations of families or strains or the outcome of the breeding ability of different cockers.

Changes in colors, shapes and sizes, and the improvement or retrograding of game fowl are wrought with great expedition and ease, because as far as reproductive power is concerned each year is sufficient to bring about a new generation. In man sufficient maturity requires about seven years, in horses about four years, therefore, improved features in fowl requires less time than dogs, horses, swine, cattle or man.

In the first place, (to get at this article) Shawlnecks, as other game fowl, when properly bred are subject to the same natural laws of evolution as other strains of gamefowl; they are, therefore, better today than they were twenty years ago, and if Capt. John Barclay, their originator, could rise from his grave and handle one more main of his gallant feathered warriors after his long absence from his life, what a surprise would confront him. Before the Civil War, Southern slave owners were prosperous and liberal, and gambled on horses, cards and gamecocks lavishly.

In the winter of 1848 or about that time, Capt. Seymour Bonner and Dr. Bose Griggs, both Georgians, were at a cockfight in New Orleans, La. An Englishman fought a beautiful yellow-legged, pale red cock, with white tail and underfeathers. His tail was nearly solid white, had a bonnet or tassel rooted at the base of his comb, which clung closely to his head. His hackle feathers were very long and abundant. The Englishman called him an English Shawlnecks cock. The cock made a terrible, long game fight, but lost. Dr. Griggs crossed him with his fowl, which already were very reputed. He and John Barclay fought cocks together, as Dr. Griggs spent most of his time in Macon. Of course, Barclay and Griggs exchanged fowl, as all cockers do as a rule. Dr. Griggs thought a great deal of his new cross and infused it all through his fowl. Barclay resided in Twigs County, Georgia, about fifteen miles from Macon.

When the war broke out he was one of the first of the gallant southern braves to go, and during his long absence his fowl went to ruin. Dr. Griggs had but one leg and did not serve in the war; consequently his games were kept in their purity. Barclay returned and discovering that he would have to begin anew, he requested the Doctor to stock him. Griggs gave him a cock and several hens, and in substance said, “Barclay, this cock is a perfect picture of my old original New Orleans or English cock.” Barclay sent to Kentucky for some fowl of Dr. Shai. These fowls also had long tassels and were very noted in long heels. Just after the war, gambling was carried on extensively in Macon and cockfighting was one of its strongest factors.

Among the numerous big mains fought in Black’s pit, in Bird Cage Alley, was one in the late 60’s between Bacon and Boler on one side, and Barclay, Griggs and Brown representing the other for Macon. Macon had seven fights to win to gain the victory at a certain juncture, when it happened that his mixed seven cocks were all of the type of the old New Orleans cock. An old colored man, then living in Macon, a paralytic named Andrew Barnes, assisted the Barclay contingent. He generally carried the cock after being heeled into the pit, and was followed by Charlie Brown, who did all of Barclay’s handling. About three or four of these cocks had been brought in and had won easily, and as Andrew came with another white neck, yellow-legged, a man named James Crawford, who was about “half shot, said “Yonder comes another one of them d – Shawlnecks!” And Andrew retorted, “Yes, we’ve got a house full of them, and they’ll lick anything that goes against them.” Why Crawford called him a “Shawlnecks”
or probably on account of the white hackle when trimmed out being in heavy contrast with the body color of the cock, that it struck him as resembling a shawl wrapped around the cock’s neck. Since that time the strain of Barclay cocks has been called Shawlnecks.

My authority is mostly Capt. Hamp Ridley and through Mr. Hollifield, I learned he was a very prominent cocker and has letters written to him concerning cocks and foxhounds dating a half century back. He was a wealthy planter and an intimate friend of Barclay’s and a relative of Capt. Bonner.

Barclay gave him many fine birds of his Shawlnecks strain, among them the celebrated “Jack Odum” cock, the winner of many decisive battles in mains. The true yellow legs, bright red and yellow-red in body color. Not all have crests, but majority show them. It is natural for a crested or tasseled cock to have a short comb, or short twisted comb.

My first lot of the Barclay fowls was bred by Hollifield, and their produce were far ahead of anything for fire and gameness that I had ever seen. They were many side fighters and always on top. I have taken great pleasure in breeding Shawlnecks, both of Brown’s and Barclay’s, but time and space won’t afford a longer tale.

GEORGIA SHAWLNECKS
(Grit & Steel, December 1907)
In Georgia, their home, the “Shawlnecks” have made for themselves a worldwide reputation, and are known all over the world. They are scattered all over the world. They are scattered all over the universe, and have a few rivals who can compare in beauty and strength and none that compete successfully with them in the pit.

The Georgia Shawlnecks pit game originally come from a half dozen birds that were bred in England and brought to this country by an English vessel, which touched the Brunswick, Georgia harbor.

While the vessel was at Brunswick, John Barclay secured the possession of the birds, and brought them to his home in Twigs County, Georgia. This occurred just before the war.

While away at his country’s service, his family bred and took care of them. On his return he at once prepared to resume his loved sport. He arranged a main to be fought in Macon, Georgia, against Col. Tom Bacon, of South Carolina, and at this fight the noted birds received their name, which they had made so famous in the year 1869. This fight took place in the backyard of Mr. Blake Johnson, where the saloon known as the “Bird Cage” now stands. Many famous fights have been fought there since.

Among the cockers there, were Tom Bacon, Penn Bedell, Jim Crawford, John Barclay, “Old Uncle Austin” Brown, and Andrew Barnes. The latter were two old darkeys of slavery time, and were handling Mr. Barclay’s were two old darkeys of slavery time, and were handling Mr. Barclay’s birds for him. The fight had been waxing for some time, and the South Carolina birds were getting decidedly the worst of the fight, for they did not seem to be a match for the Georgia birds. As for the Georgia cocks were having such success, they began teasing those from South Carolina, and as Old Uncle Andrew started for another bird for the pit Mr. Crawford called to him, and asked if he had more of those Shawlnecks. He replied that he had, and was willing to bet $75.00 to $100.00 that they would win their fight. Bacon wanted to bet higher, and found plenty of money in the crowd. Just here Mr. Barclay said that Bacon did not have a bird that could break a feather on those “Shawls,” as they were called. They were pitted and as was predicted, the “Shawlnecks” won his fight and the owners their bets.

After this main was over and won, Old Uncle Austin and Andrews who had cared for the birds and fought them, got possession of some of them, and Barclay had the balance. After this, Barclay fought five other mains in Macon, one in Charlotte, North Carolina, and one in Augusta, Georgia. After these fights he crossed most of his birds in 1873 with Billy Moore. After this cross they would not stand cutting, and he had to kill out all of his birds that he crossed.

During this time, Old Uncle Austin kept his birds pure. I had often heard him say, “Marster Johnnie, you can say what you please, and the cocker and breeders can say what they like, but I am not going to cross any new bird into my stock, they are good enough for me. When I want a new blood I take a cock from one of my yards that have been separately raised from the others, and bring him in, with some that have never been crossed, and there is no harm done, and I still have pure Georgia Shawlnecks. Those cocks are all right.” “Well,” inquired I of Uncle Austin, “why did most every breeder cross different breeds into their Shawls?” “Because they tuck a fool notion into their heads that by crossing them they would have a bird that would wipe up the earth and it its full of circular saws. They got awfully fooled, though, for they won’t never find a bird like that, but the nearest they will find to it is the grand Georgia Shawlnecks cock.”

“Well, Uncle Austin,” I said, “tell me something about them that you remember.” “Well, Marster Johnnie, I was just going to tell you. When Mr. John Barclay came to Macon in 1869 to fight a main with some gentlemen from South Carolina, he brought me along to tend to his cocks, as I always tended to them before the war, up to the time I came to Macon. We fought the main in the Alley between Poplar and Pine streets. We had wonderful success and good luck, for there was lots of money won over on our side, and some of the men who were betting against us wanted to know where we got the cocks from.” It was growing late in the afternoon, and as I was going over to the coop for another cock, one of the gentlemen who had been betting on the other side said, “Well, here comes another one of those Shawlnecks and said he was tired of losing money, as he had been doing all the afternoon, and he was going to bet on the Shawl, for he had seen that he was the best bird. So he did, and of course the Shawl whipped his fight.”

“Well, Uncle Austin is that where they got their name from?” “Yes boss, it was right there, and this was just how it came about. You see, when the birds are trimmed up for the pit they trim out white, and look just like they had a white shawl on their necks and at the root of the tail. Right then and there they got the name, and will always be known as Georgia Shawlnecks.”

I had the above conversation with the old Negro, Austin Brown, in the spring of 1885, with a view of then gaining the original information I could.

I bought my first birds from Uncle Austin about the summer of 1875, and then bought others from him until his death. Just before he died I bought these cocks from him, and they were paid for the week before he died.

He was an honest old time darkey, and as good as the best that ever lived. He loved his birds and the sports they afforded him, and would back them until his last dollar was used up, and he always went home with his eyes shining and his pockets full.

I heard a well-known cocker say that no breeder kept the stock of Shawls that Uncle Austin kept. The Negro had sale for every bird he could raise. He selected his yards with the idea of having the purest Shawls, fastest fighters and best shufflers in the world.
Old Uncle Austin has passed away. He was owned by Tom Brown, and was born in Maryland. On February 27, 1878 he passed away, then being in his seventy-fifth year, which made his being born around 1803.

About the bird’s appearance let me say a few words and I am through. They should have a short, stout head, with small crest feathers, short red comb, single and thin and stand erect. Beaks should be short, yellow and slightly curved, very strong at base; earlobes a little cloudy, face bright, with quick, fearless expression; the neck is short, but nicely arched, white under color, which when trimmed for the pit leaves a pure white neck; the back is flat and broad across the shoulders and narrow to the tail; the body is short, and on the back are rich red feathers, saddle feathers very long and close, bright red with white under color; the breast is broad, and full of rich black feathers, free from any mixture, the breast bone is perfectly straight; the shoulders and tapering toward the tail, the under part of body rich black with white under color; wing of medium length, powerful, held close to the body and under the saddle feathers; the primaries black with the exception of one or two white feathers; the secondary in the black feather are black, and the white feathers are white; wing butts are red; wing bows black; wing coverts red; tail rich black with two or three white spangle feathers, sometimes black, but not often; carriage is very graceful; tail coverts a very rich metallic black; thighs black, with white under color, round muscular and rather stout, placed well forward on the body; shanks in color yellow or white; they should be short and scale smooth and close; the spurs set on close to the feet, small and keen.

The hen’s head is short, slightly erect, some light straw color and sing comb; beak yellow, slightly curved, very sharp at point and stout at base; wattles bright red, small and thin and neatly rounded on edges; earlobes large and cloudy; eyes same as cock; neck short, hackle straw color, and shaped same as cock, except in color, which is straw; wing of medium length but powerful, straw color, wing feathers black, coverts straw color; tail black and dark brown, large carried gracefully over back; legs and thighs short; feet broad, flat and thin, toes same as cock.

ORIGIN OF THE SHAWLNECKS
(Narrated by C. F. Brown, Grit & Steel, January, 1908)
I saw an article from “Ginger” in a recent issue, regarding the origin of the Shawlneck fowls, which is erroneous. I don’t know the gentleman, but he is misinformed. I have had published in the Game Fancier’s Journal and Game Breeder nearly thirty years ago, the origin of the Shawlneck fowl. I have been breeding them ever since and tried to keep them pure.

The main I fought against Major Bacon, of South Carolina, which Georgia won. The main fought in Augusta was fought against Tennessee fowl handled by Jim Foster, backed by Jim Crawford, which I won thirteen out of sixteen and my cocks were all Shawlnecks. Captain Barclay, who was my partner, had the English cocks from which the Shawlnecks descended. Captain Barclay, while a breeder and fancier of game birds, he never fought any.
Old Austin was a good old man and was weak-minded. He never owned a Shawlnecks that I know of. The parties mentioned in “Ginger’s” letter are all dead except my brother and me.

THE SHAWLNECKS
(Narrated by Aaron, Grit & Steel, November, 1913)
The winter of 1848 saw cocking and cock raising on a plane in New Orleans and Macon that has never been equaled for honesty, fairness, and the general uprightness of the associations of Chivalrous Southerners, with all whom they came in contact. Foreigners from the far shores of England, Ireland and France were neither afraid nor ashamed to carry such of their cocks as they wished for the sport during the stay of their vessels in the Old French City. The outgrowth of one incident of this character fortunately gave to this content the foundation for one of the greatest, if not the greatest of all breeds of gamefowl, the Georgia Shawlnecks. John Hammond, an Englishman, a cotton magnate as we would call him in those days, brought a pale red cock that had yellow legs, red eyes, and showed white in wings and tail.

In 1850 the sport raged with no hold-up, and it was then that this famous cock was introduced, some say: “He was just brought in.” Others say: “He was imported.” He was imported anyway, whether intentional or accidentally, Col. Seymour Bonner and Dr. Boaz Griggs attended this New Orleans main. They both assert that Hammond from the very first called the cock an English Shawl cock. The cock was fought and covered himself with glory. Dr. Griggs and Bonner paid Hammond a fabulous price for the cock and took him to Columbus, Georgia. Right here, I wish to introduce a letter written by Capt. Hampton Ridley, whose breeding and long intimacy with the first cross, stands second to that of no man. Hampton Ridley was a nephew of Seymour Bonner. Mr. Ridley writes: “I was brought up in Jones County, Georgia. John Barclay was my life long friend. He was raised in Jasper County, our homes being near together. We were constantly together, fought cocks together, and against each other all our lives up to two years before his death. He owned no cock that I could not take; use or fight and he had the same liberties in my yards. Uncle Seymour and the Doctor bought the English Shawl cock as a partnership affair. My uncle wanted me to breed from the cock the first year, but the Doctor thought I was too inexperienced, so he (the Doctor) bred from him several seasons. John Barclay never had one of the breeds until 1886 or after his return from the Civil War. Then the Doctor gave John a young cock that was a duplicate of his father, the English Shawl cock. John bought five hens of old Doctor Shai, of Louisville, Kentucky, and put the young cock over them. These Kentucky hens had topknots or crests and they were red all over, showed white in wings and had red eyes and yellow legs. It must be understood that the English cock also had a topknot or tassel; he cut out white and also showed white in wings and tail. If you will bear with me, I will tell you how they came to be called Shawlnecks. Barclay and Brown for Macon, against Augusta cockers, were fighting a main in Macon in 1869. Brown used to heel and handle for Barclay, while old Andrew Barnes carried the cocks to the pit. Jim Crawford had been betting extravagantly for the Augusta side, and losing.

The Shawlnecks were doing great work and were carrying the fort in a storm. Andrew came in with another one of the reds, which with it’s cut out white hackles, conveyed to Jim’s mind a shawl wrapped about it’s neck, and he exclaimed: “Here comes another one of those Shawlnecks. How many of them have you got Andrew?” “We’ve got a houseful of them and they can whip anything on earth,” retorted Andrew. The name stuck and from that day to this they have been known as Georgia Shawlnecks. Augusta had won all but one fight necessary to take the main, when Macon began bringing in the Shawlnecks. They won seven straights and took it. Brown and Barclay fought the same cocks for many years without a cross and these straight-bred cocks made a record that probably never was equaled except by the old Claiborne’s, which breed had it’s origination nearly at the same period.

Judge Bacon of Edgefield, South Carolina, and Brown of Columbus Georgia fought a main in 1874 and Brown again used the Shawlnecks, and some others he had from Billy Moore. Brown fought a cock called “Terrapin Legs.” He was the finest fighter I ever saw and invariable killed his cock in the first or second pitting. It was lucky for that he did, for I think he had a dunghill streak in him. For his progeny threw up the sponge when badly cut but not one of the pure Shawlneck was ever known to flinch or run. In the main with Bacon, Brown used two Shawl cocks, one called “Rheumatism,” as he was string-halted, and the other “Jack Odum” was the finest cock I ever saw touch the earth. Mr. Odum had been breeding him near Columbus, and Mr. Brown named him for the man. This same cock decided the main in 1875. I was present at the main and what took place that day is yet very clear in my memory. Major Bacon was fighting a famous winner of several mains against Barclay’s “Jack Odum” and was betting extravagantly when Barclay remarked, “If I were in your place, Major, I wouldn’t bet anymore, for barring scratch your cock hasn’t a ghost of a chance to win over out “Jack.” They were pitted twice, Bacon’s cock looking as though he had run through a sawmill. I brought the Odum cock home with me and Barclay said he wanted me to have the last pure hen that he owned, so the next morning his son-in-law brought her to me. This is the celebrated “Station hen,” as Barclay bred from her alone as the chapter of the first cross, for up to 1877 the Shawlnecks were known as topknots or tasseled fowl, and none others were recognized as pure, they invariably had them.

Back there in Augusta, Georgia, and Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Shai had been winning with the topknot fowl against all who cared to try conclusions with them. From careful and long research I have found out that these topknot fowls were a strain out from the Baltimore Topknots, so much in favor in and around Baltimore, Maryland. In 1846 Ben Grissette lived near Camden, Alabama. He sold Dr. Shai lots of his tasseled Claiborne and they were bred all through the Doctor’s English tassels, and they and the Baltimore Topknots were responsible each to the other for part of its blood; the Baltimore Topknots were crossed with Lewis Everett Claiborne by Major Felix and Capt. Robert Tait, and they were called Tait Claiborne. Ben Grissette made the same cross and the Taits also bought what Grissette had, so that a theme much in controversy had no mysterious side to it at all, why Dr. Shai’s fowl had tassels.

As late as 1911, W. R. Johnson of Augusta, Georgia was perpetuating the Barclays and if I’m correctly informed he was the son-in-law of Barclay. Charlie Mahone at Hazlehurst, Georgia, had some of the finest Barclay fowl it was ever my privilege to look upon. He was then, the station agent at that place. Probably the greatest winning Barclay cock ever sent North, Mahone sent to Mat Chesbro, Greenville, New York a cock with only half a portion of toes on one foot, and known in several pits as “Bumblefoot.” Chesbro had previously a correspondence of several years with Capt. Ridley, who had the last of John Barclay’s fowl, and upon the advice of Charlie Hollifield, who was Ridley’s understudy with the fowl, several fine pure Barclay pullets were carried to Chesbro, as Hollifield was en route to the Pan-American exposition at Buffalo. In Hollifield, we had one of the most noble of gamefowl lovers. His financial ability gave him everything to care for fine cocks, but his greatest hobby was the old Barclay Shawlnecks. Poor Charlie, he was doomed to an untimely death, passing away at Denver, Colorado after a game struggle to combat and outlive the terrible malady, consumption. His father James Hollifield, at Atlanta, kept some of the breed and still has them no doubt. Gus Williams, at Lutherville, Georgia, had fine ones and as a diversion from miles of travel in many states as a show drummer, he preferred the old Barclays and he had fine ones in other breeds also. When Joe Coyle moved from Hartwell, Georgia to manage Gus’ fowls, it was my good fortune to see the true Barclays they were sending out, and all gave good accounts of themselves. W. R. Johnson’s Augusta shipments of lightweight John Barclay’s Shawlnecks into Mexico have been winners 10 to 1 in slashers. Who says the grand old breed has deteriorated?

When Horace Baxter of Swanton, Vermont was in his prime and not every man wanted to try conclusions against his Surry Tassels, how many of us knew that they were heavily in debt to Barclay Shawlnecks for their prowess as phenomenal winners. Dr. Clarence Heffenger of Sykesville, Maryland knew it. What has become of some of these men named? Their contributions to our journal were testimonies of a lively interest in the welfare of the good magazine and their love of gamefowl step out and help. “Aaron” will do his part, but enough for now. We will take up that breed of the Shawls as kept by Charlie Brown, who is yet here among us, at a good ripe age.

SHAWLNECKS
(Narrated by Gamecock, Grit & Steel, December, 1913)
If I were to start out with the specific purpose of originating a new strain of gamefowl, and actually did it, and so advertised and recorded it at some future day the origin of that entire strain would not be absent.

The Shawlnecks were NOT originated specifically. They were not the outcome of a certain contemplated idea; they were simply the outcome of an accidental crossing, and had been bred and pitted before being known, and without having been looked forward to the entry of a new distinct strain.

The actual facts that led to the procurement of certain fowl prior to the first repute of the Shawlnecks, is chiefly the main facts dissention. I respect the honest views of all who pretend to know, and can only ask the same difference be shown to me.

Careful study, investigation, and contemplation of facts, has left the matter clear in my mind, perhaps as it can possibly be ferreted out. All theories, which I have heard advanced excepting my source of information date back no farther than 1870. My knowledge, or the actual knowledge of my informant, goes back to 1849 to 1850, and I give in substance what my knowledge of the Shawlnecks strain consists of.

During the winter of 1849 or 1850 Dr. Bose Griggs, who lived in West Point, Georgia, and a Captain Bonner, who lived in Jones or Hancock County, Georgia were attending a fight in New Orleans. They bought a fine gamecock from a man, who called him an “English Shawl” cock. He claimed the cock to be imported. Dr. Griggs admired him for his beauty. When he went to the pit all trimmed out, he was white as a shuck wherever a feather had been cut and was crested cock. He showed white streamers and white in wings, and had bright yellow legs and red eyes. Dr. Griggs bred this cock at West Point. What kind of hens he was crossed with is not known, though Dr. Griggs had English Derby and Stone Fence stock. Griggs spent a great deal of his time in Macon. Perhaps he spent more of his time in Macon than any other place, for gambling and all sorts of sports were very prevalent in Macon in those good old days.

Griggs gave some of the old cock’s sons to Barclay and others and they were fought all over the South most successfully; not this special crosses in particular, but Barclay’s Griggs and other cocks from Georgia.

When Barclay returned from the war he found his stock of games crossed up so that he started anew. If I am not mistaken, Griggs did not go to the war, or at any rate, his fowl were kept okay.

After the war Barclay told Griggs about his bad luck. So, Griggs gave Barclay a fine cock telling him that this cock was of his Old English cock. Now, how old this cock was or how many generations from the New Orleans cock, I do not know, nor do I know Griggs gave Barclay only one cock or several. Barclay sent Dr. Shai of Kentucky, from whom he purchased a lot of fowl, several hens and a cock, and these were crested also.

This Shai cock, I am told by a man who saw him, had a crest or bonnet several inches long. You see now the foundation of the Barclay stock of fowl.

He fought cocks most successfully for years, and it was about 1870 that they were called Shawlnecks. This main was between Tom Bacon’s crowd of Carolina and the Barclay crowd.

Here let me say that they were a great many mains fought in Macon in those days, and several between these same parties, at one time they had won eight fights each, and Barclay won the last fight and the main. At another Bacon lacked one fight and Barclay won seven straights.

SHAWLNECKS
(Narrated by George Garrett, Grit & Steel, December, 1920)
Solomon said, “A good name is as precious as an ointment,” and Lord Bacon wrote that: “Truth may come to the price of a pearl that shines best by day, but will rise to the price of a diamond that shows best in varied lights.” Both of these quotations are good old axioms that emanated from sources of wisdom. We also know that the truth can’t be suppressed indefinitely, anymore than one can “twist a rope of san.” Now to the point at an issue.

It appears to me that we are dealing with a situation wherein two varying sources lead to the same conclusion, that Col. Barclay produced one great family or strain of fighting cocks and that Chas. F. Brown produced another of equally outstanding pit qualities, both being closely related unquestionably, and known years ago as the Georgia Shawlnecks. I have received many inquiries from widely separated sections of the United States wishing to be directed as to sources from which the pure Georgia Shawlnecks strain could be secured, and to all inquirers I frankly confessed that to say where was regrettably beyond my knowledge.

The Charlie Brown Shawlnecks that I bred years ago were cocks of medium station (no stilly feature about them) and, as a rule, their legs stood wide apart, the color being yellow, green, and leaden in shades. NO birds ever showed more unflinching eyes, being of red pepper colors varying some light brown; others being ginger, however, red predominated. The plume feathers and wings of the cocks showed some white. The topknots cropped out on both cocks and hens. The wings of both were wide, heavy and well lapped. Another characteristic was strong beaks that enabled the cock to bill his opponent with an unfaltering grip, terrier-like in fact, not releasing its hold until the other cock was shifted across the pit with those deadly shuffles that riddled and cut into shoestrings, the other cock cut to pieces and put out of action. Col. F. E. Grist bought his foundation stock of Shawlnecks from Charlie Brown. The high station and standardized yellow legs of his Champions evidence that he injected crosses.

The original Asil, black and tans, of Baltimore, are unfortunately now extinct. The nearest approach to the original was owned about 18 years ago by Mr. Rojan, now deceased. In one respect, these blacks and tans reminded me of the old time Georgia Shawlnecks. I have seen them take a bill hold, then strike and shuffle until winded, though holding on with the same grip and shuffle again, causing deathly execution. Their beaks were short and heavy, reminding me of a cardinal’s. Their hackle has the color of a pot black, had black eyes somewhat larger than the old time Hopkinson Warhorse. I have witnessed many thrilling night battles, beginning at 9:00 p. m., and lasting until daybreak at the old Highland town (suburban Baltimore) cockpit, made famous by the cockers of Washington D. C., Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York.

In concluding this article, I will present a personal letter from Mr. Felix G. Rood of Florence, Pennsylvania, which is interesting to me, being conservative in tone and neutral in point concerning the Shawlnecks.

Such explanations as those given by reliable sources like Messrs. Johnsons and Rood are sufficient to satisfy both sides as to the Shawlnecks origin, and likewise serve as a safe guide for the younger element, which we hope will prove to be graceful losers and generous victors, for all that follow the game must be licked in order to lick the other fellow. I always admired Charlie Brown and Felix Rood for licking, and others at the famous cockpit at Reich’s Garden, Columbus, Georgia, when I was wearing the shoes of “a tender foot,” that they made a Christian out of me (for the time being) hence, I can’t forget such old time warriors, whose word is good and clear like an open-face watch. Such figures as Col. Barclay, Charlie Brown, Col. Bacon, Col. Grist, Felix Rood and others of such type, will always reflect honors and credit to the fraternity.

The letter from Felix Rood, states: “As you say in your communication to Grit and Steel, there are two sides to the question. I know the two strains – Barclay and Brown. The color and type were different. Charlie always claimed that he was the originator, while the Macon contingent – Griggs, Hamilton, Ridley, and Old Andrew claimed that Barclay was entitled to the honor. Both of these strains were terrific fighters 30 to 40 years ago.

Some of the greatest cocks I ever saw were from Barclay’s yards and some of Brown’s Shawls, white hackled and yellow-legged, peaceful and handsome, were the most skillful fighters that ever walked the “tan mark.” In their day, Brown’s Shawls in condition were second to none. I would not like to champion either side of the question. I never met Col. Barclay, but he must have been an exceptionally good judge of fighting cocks.

Chas. Byruns of New Orleans and Barclay were friends. The former was at one time proprietor of the Baronne Street Pit and used Barclay’s cocks at good prices. Byruns on one of my trips to New Orleans showed me three cocks, tufted gingers with huge wings and tails, a Christmas present from Barclay, who was totally blind from age and who selected these cocks from a bunch, relying entirely on his touch. Each cock had three fights to his credit and was fine as I ever saw in a lifetime.”

SHAWLNECKS
(Narrated by F. E. Grist)
The Shawlnecks bred by me are in color the same as the old Southern Claiborne and, but for their history as given by Mr. Charlie Brown, for many reasons, I would suppose them nearly full Claiborne.

My cocks are bright reds, black breast and tail feather, the majority having yellow legs, but occasionally one with white legs. These are bred from stock bought by me of Mr. Charlie Brown after his fight with Col. Bacon. I got of him both bright and dark reds, some being black, perhaps a little straw in a neck. While I had quite a number of cocks and hens from him, I cannot remember that any showed a tassel.

The deep reds I used as crosses on a very old strain of mine, breeding the bright reds separate. I bought quite a number also from Captain Barclay. Nearly all of these were deep reds, and nearly all showed tassel, some quite heavy, while my Barclays were dark. My friend Judge Gordon, had a Barclay both deep and bright reds with and without tassels.

Where the name originated was when I was fighting a main with Col. Bacon, of South Carolina. Col. Bacon’s party would remark, ‘Here comes Charlie with another Shawlnecks.’ We at that time called them English cocks. Capt. Barclay bought an English cock and paid, I think $200.00 for him. He carried him to his home in Twigs County, where he kept them until the war broke out. He then raised a military company and went to Virginia. He had given up cockfighting until I went to Macon in 1869 or 1870. His chickens had been bred in so long, they had become very small. We then crossed them with a large Shakebag Irish Glider cock, and then bred back with one of these English cocks, and those are the cocks we now breed.

From all these descriptions ever given of this English cock, he was a facsimile of the Claiborne; bright red, black breast, yellow legs, hackles cutting out snow white on neck. This cock had a long tassel, but of only one or two feathers.

This glider cross is a well-known breed in Georgia; their descendants now are called Stone Irish or Warhorse. Mr. Dunbar and Mr. John Bohler of Augusta, Georgia, were the first to own them in this state. They were friends of the noted Tennessee cocker, Mr. G. Perk Huddleston, and it was from these gentlemen that he obtained his Gliders, some of the finest specimens I ever saw being bred by him.

Mr. Bohler, when actively engaged in cocking, was a liberal patron of Mr. Huddleston. So great was his confidence in Mr. Huddleston’s breeding that he has stated he would as soon he have them as his own. Mr. Bohler was interested in nearly all the fights the celebrated South Carolinian, Col. Bacon made in the latter part of his life, and on March 9, 1870, Col. Bacon left for Selma, Alabama to fight Dr. Gee of fifty-three cocks he carried, forty-three were furnished by Mr. Bohler. It will be seen that this was no empty compliment to Mr. Huddleston.

To return to the Shawlnecks, it will be seen that the original color of the breeding must have thrown both dark and bright reds, and that the tassel cross was in the English. My Shawlnecks are smooth heads, nearly all showing the snow-white neck, when the hackle is cut for battle.

GEORGIA SHAWLNECKS
(Narrated by: “Fairplay”)
There has been more history, some almost sacred, some insanely profane, and much more without any authentic vouchers to support it, that at this late day in history of the Georgia Shawlnecks, anyone attempting to present a true picture of the first Shawlnecks – which were not named until several years had elapsed following their spectacular rise to fame will be classed a misinformant, and unworthy of the name, as historian.

To know a man thoroughly, we should be his neighbors, and better yet to be of his age, and having grown up with him. We can remind each other of our faults without stirring up anger. Such men are our friends. To tell the cocking world, and more especially those who breed only for sale, it would be a piece of folly to many whose fowls are “the only ones, pure, yet living.” So you readers will have to read this sketch and from your opinion accordingly, as I shall in every quotation give the name of its author, and Brother Decamp will not run out of uppercase if it can be circumvented.

Hampton B. Ridley, of Cornucopia, Georgia a planter and lover of game fowls wrote the first printed account of the Shawlnecks coming to my attention. He was reputed as well to do, and Bose Griggs and Dr. Bonner were both Georgians. My memory serves me that one these men was Ridley’s uncle. The two men attended a cockfight in New Orleans where a certain black-breasted red, yellow-leg cock fought and won in such sensational style that one or the other said “he covered himself with glory.” This cock had pale red body plumage and sported a heavy tassel, which was long and lay close to his neck, and also showed white trimmings, and was called by his owner an “English Shawl” cock. Some writers say there were fowls of that name in England by an English sailor. At any rate, these Georgian cockers bought the cock and took him to Macon, where Griggs bred him to a few extra good hens, and the cross proved very successful for a number of years. John Barclay, a wealthy landowner, living at Bullard’s, twenty miles south of Macon, was a friend of Dr. Griggs, and he came into the English blood at Grigg’s favor.

The cross from Barclay’s fowls were the best of the two known trials, and he continued to win majorities with them until the War between the states disrupted breeding to a large extent, and cockfighting was a small, local sport indulged in by the very young and the older men who were not fit for military service. Dr. Griggs was one of the latter class, having lost a leg in an accidental shooting, and it was he who kept up these crosses of the English cock’s blood.

Barclay formed a company of recruits and as its Captain, joined Lee’s army in Virginia. During some of the engagements he met Jim Shai, a noted cocker in Kentucky. It is told that the celebrated Sid Taylor breed traces to Shai foundations. Barclay had from him several light red tasseled and topknot hens. Ridley says no males were had from Shai.

On Barclay’s return from service he asked Dr. Griggs to furnish him a cock to mate them, and he gave him one almost identical to the original English cock, which produced wonderful cutting chickens, and it was this cross that put Barclay at the top with the tasseled breed.

His heaviest winning was made when he fought against Nicholas Arrington, who had traveled over the South meeting all who cared to take him on. Barclay’s cocks were fed by John Sanford, the originator of both families of Claiborne, which were already in the limelight in Alabama and Georgia.

In the days of Arrington, Barclay, Ridley and other planters, money was plentiful and that class preferred to fight 21 cocks or not bother. There were no gamefowl publications until the 80’s. Among them were Dixie Game Fowl, published by T. E. Lipscomb, Columbus, Tennessee, and shortly after it’s beginning, Southern Pit Games, printed by James Fleming of Blakely, Georgia made its bow and entered the field. It was in these days that much was written about the so-called historical breeds, such as Stonefence, Fardown, Shawlnecks, Burnt Eye, Warhorse and Claiborne.

It was quite common to hear of mains being held in connection with horse racing and other festive occasions, word of mouth and slow mails were the only means of transmitting these events. An old “dodger” of the late “fifties,” dug up in the attic rubbish of Thos. G. Bacon’s Edgefield, South Carolina home, reveals the mode of advertising a cockfight of that period.

“Atlanta will hold its annual Melon Festival and Fair at the Farr Fair Ground. There will be dancing at the Pavilion – music by Pomery Ramsey’s his English cocks will meet the Burnt Eye cocks bred by Col. Thos. G. Bacon, each battle to be for $150.00 and $1,000.00 on the deciding fight.”

In my files, I had one other advertisement where in a cockfight was staged at a fair, and that was by Fred E. Grist of Ft. Gaines, Georgia. Owing to damaged condition, the date and place are not decipherable.

Some of these planters relied solely upon the cabin homes of their field workers for their breeding operations, and some would not trust anyone but their most reliable white man to attend to the mating and raising of their famous breeds. Some of the noted breeders had excellent Negro helpers to feed and condition their cocks. Andrew Barnes, one of the best known in the South, worked for Barclay, and after Charlie Brown came to Macon, and joined in with Barclay in the sport, he continued. He was not a helper, but assisted in the cock house during mains and always carried the cocks to the pit side. He was one of but few Negroes who were allowed to mingle and bet his money with the white sportsmen, and became rich by backing the Shawlnecks. His largest winning was close to $5,000.00 at the time he came north with Charlie Brown to meet Mike Kearney and his Whitehackles at a Long Island pit. This main seesawed back and forth before Brown won the deciding battle.

Barnes died from a stroke of apoplexy while helping heel chickens in Birmingham, Alabama. He left a large amount of real estate and money in trust. One of the finest conditioners among Negro bloods was Lucius Tolbert, who worked with Will L. Allen’s Roundheads several years. He was run over and killed by a switch engine in the railroad yards at Texarkana, Arkansas.

Barclay and Brown met anyone who had money enough to back up their opinions of their cocks, and they won a dozen large mains before Brown went “on his own.” Barclay gave his some of the English cross and some Greys. Brown crossed the English with a deep dark red cock called Irish. This breeding produced many without tassels, for a number of years after he had tasseled fowl, but he eventually bred it out. These fowls bred yellow, white and willow legs. The buff hens induced some white in wings and tail of the offspring, but there was no hint of white undersurface in feathers. Brown had several families of the English blood, which he produced from different hens. He used John Sanford’s plain head Claiborne as his first all yellow-leg infusion. While some of the Claiborne showed white legs he used none of them, but the white legs showed up.

It was after several years of close breeding the yellow legs that the celebrated main between Barclay and Brown, of Georgia, was held, and it was at that main that the English fowls and their Claiborne crosses received the name “Shawlnecks.” At a certain juncture in that main, when it was necessary for Barclay combination to win several fights to save the day, a yellow-leg, white neck cock (when sheared) won sensationally.

When another of exact plumage was brought in, Jim Crawford, a better at the pit side, who was backing Bacon’s show handsomely, remarked in a half-inebriated tone, as Andrew Barnes came in with the second cock, “Here comes Andrew with another one of those shawl necks!” The name will never die as long as men talk of game fowls. Every one of the bright red, yellow legs won and the main went to Barclay and Brown.

It was soon after this that Barclay’s death occurred, and the fowls on the estate were continued in breeding by William Lawrence, Barclay’s son-in-law. William R. Johnson of Walden, Georgia, was fully acquainted with the Barclay fowls from early boyhood and continued the fowls. He and Lawrence fought them in many places and were invincible.

Lawrence died, and at the sale of the old George Shinholzer, William R. Johnson, and Charles W. Hollifield, of Atlanta, Georgia, bought Barclay breeds. Barclay had several breeds of chickens, a breed called “Blue Bulls,” carrying the blood of Shawlnecks, Fardown, Warhorse, and Grey in different proportions, said to be the hardest flying cocks to meet in the air or on the ground.

Mr. Johnson, prior to Barclay’s death, had a cock and three hens of the family that later produced the “Shawlnecks.” This yard bred bright red cocks that showed white in wings and tails, with yellow, white and moccasin legs. To convince any man who bought fowls from Brown that he had other than yellow-leg Shawlnecks, would be the argument of your life, yet there are the facts.

Cockers and breeders from all corners of the Americas clamored for yellow-leg Shawlnecks, the reverberation of the Bacon-Brown and Barclay main. Those seven-straight-winning, yellow-leg cocks in that main had put up the bars against any other color of leg on a “Shawlnecks,” and the time came when any other color was impossible to the layman. The writer has seen one white-leg cock directly from Brown, several dark-leg and moccasin-leg hens, but no dark-leg cocks. A student of genetics could tell us the reasons for those colors. Brown’s business in sales was one of the heaviest in the South except that of F. E. Grist.

From the pen of many Shawlnecks breeders and cockers, who were of national prominence with the breed and whose opinions and statements need one further verifications, were William R. Johnson, of Walden, Georgia, George Garrett, who had the celebrated cock, “Jack Odum” on his yard. Ridley proclaimed this cock “the best cock I ever saw touches the earth.” I am not sure that this cock was in Brown and Barclay’s main with Bacon, but a sensational winning cock of Brown’s brought Bacon’s money to the fore and it went up in wads to back their favorite. Capt. Barclay remarked to Bacon, “If I were in your place I wouldn’t bet any more, as I don’t believe you have a chance to win.” They were pitted and, as Ridley wrote me, “Bacon’s cock was whipped and killed almost within the twinkling of an eye and looked as if he had been run though a thresher.

Grist and Brown fought a main soon after this and Brown lost by one battle, and Grist was so pleased with the Shawlnecks that he bought many from Brown, as well as from Barclay, and for many years he crossed them into his old Stamper blood. H. Roquemore, of Mansfield, Georgia, bred the Shawlnecks pure for Grist. His son, Fred Roquemore, told me that only a year ago, and he still owns some of its descendants./PN