7 Worth Its Weight in Gold

Nicholas W. Arrington, a Civil War-era plantation owner descended from early British settlers, remains one of the most notorious cockfighters 150 years after his death.
The wealthy North Carolinian was known for fighting the most expensive cock matches on record, twice defeating General Santa Anna in cocking events. For one such match, he and friends-in-sport hauled more than 300 of his roosters by wagon train to meet the dictator outside El Paso. After Arrington's birds got the best of the Mexican leader's Spanish Blues at that meeting, Santa Anna purchased one of Arrington's cocks for its weight in gold, 99 ounces.
This episode explores some of Arrington's biggest wins. Along the way, we touch on topics from early American gamefowl breeders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, in addition to Arrington's less well-known contemporaries in the sport.
All episodes can be found at the website: bloodlinepodcast.com
To join the discussion, discuss episodes or suggest topics for future episodes, join us on Facebook: / bloodlinepodcast