The following article appeared in the March 15, 1912 print of the Guardian [Stafford, Arizona] on page 1 .
NOTE: The descendants of Nathan Wansley used several different spellings of their surname. The family in Arizona, Utah and California preferred Wanslee. In this article, “Wanslee” was Nathan [Nat] Terry Wanslee, son of Nathan Whitten Wanslee and grandson of Nathaniel [Nathan] Wansley. Nat Wanslee owned a saloon and pool hall in Safford, Graham County, Arizona.
A BADGER FIGHT
----------
Wanslee’s Bull Dog Is the
Hero of Two Battles Saturday Night
The tip was give out Saturday afternoon that a large
and most ferocious badger had been caught and that a
fight had been arranged to come off at Wanslee’s place
in the evening, between the badger and Wanslee’s bull
dog, Jeff.
About 8:00 o’clock a large crowd had assembled at
the scene of the fight, among them many prominent
citizens, whose faces glowed with enthusiasm as they
heard of the tales of past fights and who anxiously
looked forward to the encounter.
Many thought it would be a fake, but when the rope
was pulled by Eli Krupp and a ferocious wild cat
bounded out of the box, the crowd was somewhat
startled and there was a quick scramble for places of
safety.
The cat, which was a fine specimen, and Jeff, the
bull dog, came together immediately in a deadly clinch.
They rolled and slashed at each other with telling effect,
finally Jeff landed the knockout bite, and the cat
departed for the unknown shores.
Some time later, Wanslee gave out the news that he
had secured a real badger and that Jeff would be
matched against him. He offered to bet $100 to $10 that
Jeff would win the fight. Other bets were made, and it
was remarkable how much loose money could be found
in the crowd and how sporty they were.
Finally, the cage containing the badger was brought
into the room, and it was all Wanslee coud do to hold
Jeff.
C. D. Hamilton was selected to pull the rope that
would raise the box and let the badger out into the room.
Mr. Hamilton braced himself and took a firm hold of the
rope, and when the sign was given he gave one mighty
pull that lifted the box and brought the badger bounding
out onto the floor.
The fight was short and decisive and resulted in a
victory for Jeff, who came out of the encounter without a
scratch.
Mr. Hamilton was very much surprised at the result
of the fight and a strange and doubtful look was seen
upon his face as he left the place.
15 March 1912, “A Badger Fight” in Graham [Safford,
Arizona] Guardian, p. 1.