The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-09-24

| Although England has long been the scene of these
brutal "sports," yet but few years have elapsed
since their introduction into this country. The firs,
fight that excited much interest among . fancy"
men, came oil some twenty-five years ago between
Tom Beasly and Jake Heyer, in which the latter
left the field with broken arm. About "these
days." as the amanacs say, the porter houses ire
irequented by old Moccasn Jackson and George
Kenset were the headquarters of the fancy, and
sparring exhibitions were given which created an
interest in such that produced prepa-
rations for a regular prize fight.
| The first thai came off of special interest, took
place in 1921, and was between James Sanford, one
of the seconds of Mccoy in the recent prize fight,
and Ned Hammond, the former of whom is an
American, and the latter an Englisman. The fight
was pitched near Belville N. j., but was broken up
by the Interference of the Sheriff.
The second was in 1924, between Sanford and Bill
| Hatfield and took place at what was then called
"Brandy Muley," or Stuyvesant's Point, now the
Dry Dock, which at that time was as spare of dwell
| ngs as Red Hook is now Sanford was the victor
| in this combat
| In 1926, Ned Hammond, who had previously
fought Sanford, fought with George Kensett, near
the Union race course, Long Island, and Hammond
was declared winner, although was disputed after
wards. They first went to Coney Island, where
the ring pitched, but to the eternal credit of
| the Governor Of that territory, he drove them off,
with the Sheriff and light horse, fully armed and
eqpped and they then pitched near the race course
as above named.
In 1923, Ned Hammond, who during this time
was considered one OF the best men about town,
| again fought Kensett, up the North River, the
Jersey side, nearly opposite the recent fight, and
Hammond was again declared victor, Kensett hav-
ing fallen without receiving a blow at the time,
which was contrary to the rules. About this time
there was also a fight between Fuller and Madden
on Long Island, but we do not know who was de-
clared winner.
In 1882 there was a perfect rage for such
scenes, and the LIST of March Andy Mel .ane
oS Philadelphia, and James Sandford, fought near
the Bell Tavern in the vicinity of that city, and Nc
Lane declared victor, Sanford having lost the
use Of his right hand during the latter part OF the
fight 1t lasted one hour and twenty minutes, and
they fought ffty-four rounds. Sandord was not
satisfied with this result and he to this city
and made an arrangement with Bill Harrington who
was then butcher to train himself TO fight McLane
which he did afterwards at Baltimore.
The excitement continued about this time and on
the 9th OF February, 1892, Pat O'Donne and
OlIagan fought near Newark, N. j., but the battle
a
seconds, and spectators, all joined.
In June, of the same year, the anxiousy EXPECT
ed combat between Bill Harrington, the butcher of
this city, and Andy McLane, of Philadelphia, who
had previously beat Sanford, came off near Bat-
more, and was broken,up ina general row by the
parties and spectators, although Harrington had the
best of it and claimed the stakes.
The next that followed was in 1898, for s'love,
honor and glory" between John McClaln, the dro-
yer, one OF the recent seconds OF Bell and Sullivan
They fought at Hoboken, N. j., and Harrington
won the fight, "tl,e honor and the glory"
In 1884, James Reed and Andy McLane fought
near Eiizabethtown. N j. and the Sheriff of the
county came forward and endeavored to stop the
fight by reading the riot act, &c but was unsuc-
cessul This is the fight whence the false story orr
ginated that he said, after reading the document
Now, gentlemen, Eve done my duty, and as you
don't feel disposed to go, shall stay and see it out
Reed won this fight, McLane throwing it of. This
nearly finished McLane as fancy man of bottom,
although we believe he afterwards whipped man
named jim Roberts.
In 1885, or about that time, Jem Bevans and Tom
Humphrey fought at williamsburg, the. former
time Abe vanderzee and Jem Feelin fought some
where in Rhode Island, the former being the VIC
tor.
alias Long Tom, of Philadelphia, fought at Harris
Island, but after some hard work, the ring was
broken In, and row ensued which terminated the
fight There was but little difference between them
at the close of the fight.
From 1885 to '37 the movements OF the ring were
rather dormant, but the arrival of Deaf Burke from
England, gave them new life and interest /. A fight
was pitched between Burke and O'Connell, at
Harris Island, (he same Island where Bell ahd Sulli
van fough) on the 2lst of August, 1888, which was
won by Burke in nine rounds only.
On the 18th of September, OF the same year, Abe
ington Point, up the North River and Abe won
the fight in ii rounds. Reed and Owens also fought
up the North River, and the latter whipped his
man.
Il. 81. Al
fights at the west and SOUTH and among others
that between Deaf Burke and O'Rourke, near New
Orleans When il was discovered that Burke was
about TO whip hi man the countrymen OF O'Rourke
broke into the ring with clubs and shellelaghs, and
Burke finding himself in danger of being killed OBJ
tanned Bowie knife from some one of his friends,
with which he defended himself until he mountedsa
horse and rode off full gallon, towards the CITY,
hundreds were severely injured. George Owen,
the Manchester Pet, fought Reynolds, at Gin
cnnati, and got whipped, and O'Rourke, and
oug at N SnS ossns but a the result or the
time is not remembered. John Teal and Jem
Jerolmon, alias "the Infant" also fought pitched
battle some where near this city, and the former
whipped.
From 1887 to lsl but little was done in prize fight
ing; but on the arrival of Jem Sullivan and Caun in
this country new vigor was given to 'the sport" On
the 7th Of September, Tom Heye. and Country
M'Cleester, having had some previous difficulty,
agreed to settle il by ring fight, and the stakes
were pitched up the North River near Caldwell's
Landing on one of the hottest days Of the season.
They fought two hours and fifty-four minutes, and
lOl rounds The battle was given to Heyer after
hard contest, although it is generally considered
that it should have been draw fight. MCeester
was the most punished, but was game to the last.
The next battle that excited special interest was
between Jem Sullivan end Tom Secor, for $500,
which came off on the lower part of Staten Island
near the Telegraph, on the 22d January last. The
ghtlasted hour and minutes, and they fought 81
rounds, Sullivan being the victor, with but little in
Jury, while Secor was cut and carved up about the
face like a tatooed African. Sullivan afterwards
fought Hammond, in Philadelphia, and whipped
him with ease IN short time.
On the 9Th of July, Tom Mccoy, killed in the
recent fight with Lilly, fought with Cheshire
Bob, at Red Hook, to settle an old dispute, and
whipped him.