100 Years Ago: Memorial Day Cock Fight Celebrated as "Most Successful"

May 31, 1911: Cock Fight Ushers in Memorial Day: Marlboro and Concord Birds Most Successful in Battles Held Just Over Stow Line

One of the largest attended Cock fights that has occurred in this city for some time took place near the Sow/Marlboro boundary line Tuesday morning with bird fancies present from Boston, Brockton, Springfield, Worcester, Providence, Whitman, Westboro, Grafton, Hudson Shrewsbury and Concord. The Marlboro police were early informed of the proposed battle, but by the presence of a large number of sponge men in town and also by advance tips given them. City Marshal John F. Mitchell sent Officer J.F. Connors and George D. Brigham to the scene but found that the fanciers had gone over the line into Stow and were accordingly powerless to act. 

The cock fighting lasted several hours and during that time many battles took place. Concord and Marlboro birds were generally successful, the fowl from the Highland City being especially so. One of those who was there said: "We had a large number of fights, but did not have any regular main. There must have been 40 battles. A large amount of money changed hands."

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