The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-12-24 00:00:00

THE CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE FIGHT,

The fight between Jam Smith and Jake Kilrain for
the Championship of the World and a silver belt took
place on Monday in France. Telegrams received on
Monday morning from the scene of action stated that
a large party arrived several days ago, while a heavy
contingent journeyed across from England on Sunday
night. Kilrain went over on Thursday of last week,
accompanied by the chief men of his party, and a few
of them were recognised. Smith also reached France
on the same day, but he suffered severely from sea-
sickness on the way, and had to stop at Calais until
the following day to recover. The men were reported
to be wonderfully well and confident, and on Saturday
they me t and shook hands with much cordiality. It
was arranged for a steamer to take all the party on
board and convey them to the chosen spot, but the
secret of the venue was known in Paris on Monday
morning, it having been announced in the Gaulois.
A Reuter' a telegram dated Rouen, December 19,
Bays: "The pugilists Kilrain and Smith arrived here
at seven o'clock this morning from Dieppe, and started
again at nine o'clock by railway in the direction of
Paris. Two English detectives, who reached this
place from Calais at nine o'clock, learned by telegram
that Kilrain and Smith left the train at Bonni6res at
11 o'clock this morning."
A correspondent, telegraphing from Paris on Mon-
day night, says:
"The scene of to-day's encounter was a little island
in the River Seine, called St. Pierre d'Autils. It wag
impossible to fix the fight for an earlier period than one
o'clock, owing to the difficulty of getting to the trysting
spot, which is at least 20 miles from Rouen, and it is
impossible to navigate the river in the dark. As early
a start as possible was made, and in fair weather we
got under weigh. When the island was reached all
fears of police interference were dispelled. Ugly
rumours had got about to the effect that the gen-
darmerie would be present in force and take posses-
sion of the spot. About 100 persons were present,
and there was an entire aosence of the rough element.
The arrangements were admirable, it being a case of
a fair fight and no favour. Mr. Atkinson officiated
as referee. Smith was seconded in a very efficient
manner by Jack Baldock and Jack Harper, and
attended by Jem Howes and Dick Roberts. Kilrain
was seconded by Charley Mitchell and Ned Donnelly,
and attended by Charley Rowell, the famous
runner. The time - keepers and umpires were
Messrs. Fleming and Harding. At the outset
it was a near thing between the two men fos
the first three rounds; but in the next Smith was
knocked half silly with a tremendous smack on Lc
ear. After this wrestling formed the principal mode
of operations, but at this game the Englishman was
no match for the American crack, and he had de-
cidedly the worst of the falls, Kilrain on each occa-
sion coming down heavily on his prostrate adversary.
Smith, although having all the worst of it, stuck
gamely to his adversary, his splendid fighting, under
most adverse conditions, calling forth repeated ad-
miration from the onlookers. Round after round
was fought without either man gain%-ng any great
advantage, and so it continued until the hundred and
sixth bout, when darkness set in, and a draw was de-
elared after two hours and a half's hard flghtlissig. It
was now 15 minutes to five, and a long miserable
journey ensued to Paris, which place was reached at
a very late hour.

DOl.er, says Prof. Jowett, comes in at the window
when inquiry is denied at the door.