Gander Pulling

Gander Pulling       "I was at Milledgeville, the capital of Georgia. It is not a city of any great note, thou it contains some fine residences. It is situated on the Oconee River which below this point was once navigated by small steamers. The population is about 3,000, and the population would consider it slanderous if I should say that any more polished or refined could be found in the Southern States.
      Walking in the suburbs, I saw nailed to the pine trees, large notices of a time and place for a Gander pulling; and circumstances favored my desire to witness it. Word had gone into the country and, and out among the Crackers far and near. At the appointed time, rude whiskey tents, and festive seats and shades were prepared around the the "pulling course" and thousands of spectators- ladies as well as gentlemen, the elite as well as the vulgar- assembled to engage in or witness the favorite sport.
     The gander - a noble specimen of the wild goose species - captured for the occasion - had a very long neck which was large as it rose above the breast, but tapered gradually for more than half the length until it became small and serpent-form, terminating in a long slim head, and peaked bill. The head and neck were lubricated with oil. The legs were tied together by a small cord and the gander was then raised by the cord about ten feet from the earth and suspended from the limb of a tree. In this position he was for a long time the hero, but at last the victim of the sport.
     Tickets were issued by the proprietor of the gander, at fifty cents each, to all gentlemen present who wished for them, and they entered their names as "pullers". The pullers were to start about ten rods from the gander, on horseback riding at full speed, and as they passed along under the gander they had the privilege of pulling off his head - which would entitle them the additional privilege of eating him. A"n___" with a long whip on hand, was stationed on a stump, about two rods from the gander, with orders to strike the horse of the puller as he passed by.
     Now it will be recollected that fifty cents was a fair price for the gander, after he was killed and picked, and ready for the cook. So that the owner could well afford to sell a single chance to pull off the head for the full value of the fowl. Still, "pullers" were plenty.
     One entered the list - a gentlemen of property and standing - and dashed over the course. The poor old gander - seeming quite resigned to his fate, or not comprehending his danger, and not knowing how to "dodge"- had his neck seized by the fist rider; but being well oiled and his head so small, and his strength not yet exhausted he slipped his head through the puller's hand without suffering much from the twist. But he drew up his head - as he saw the next puller coming - looking wise and shrewd as much to say   "you want catch this bird napping again!" Still, unskilled in dodging, the gander's head was caught again, - but he pulled it out a second time, after a terrible wrench. After this he kept a sharp lookout, and many pullers passed by without being able to grapple his neck. The game went on and the pullers increased - till the jaded gander could elude their grasp no longer. An old Cracker - with a sandpaper glove on - pulled off his head at last, amid the shouts of a wondering hosts of intoxicated competitors.
    This may be called the introductory exercise. The whiskey kegs on the stumps - the gaming tables under the shades - the cock-fights in the pens- the horse race out in the woods- will amuse the crowd tomorrow. And the fox- chase, and perhaps a n__- hunt , will close the festivities. "

Title: Inside view of slavery; or, A tour among the planters. By C. G. Parsons, M.D., with an introductory note by Mrs. H. B. , 1855.