Oshkosh Cock Fight, 1878

This isn't directly related to beer in Oshkosh, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't at least some (and probably quite a bit of) beer involved in this mess. What we have here is a little “news” from the old, weird Oshkosh. 

“Quite an exciting cock fight took place at Mehlmann's cigar factory on Waugoo street this afternoon. A workman in Mehlmann’s shop was the owner of a fighting cock, ditto one of the workmen in Neumann’s cigar factory. They concluded to match their fighting poultry, the one whose rooster should whip to become owner of the vanquished fowl. The Mehlmann rooster came out victorious after a fight of nearly an hour. One of the bosses held the water and sponge and a tobacco agent from Milwaukee was the referee.” 
   - July 28, 1878, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

By the way, the Mehlmann and Neumann cigar factories were near the southwest corner of Waugoo and State streets. It looked a little different back then. Here it is today...