The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-09-08
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THE AMERICAN. cHAMPfoNsHrp-koRkfs
sEY vs. KEENAN,.

SEY W. HEENAN.
Both Of these men, on whose pre-.
parations for the great contest Of the
Goth October next, so much public cur
iosity is fixed. are progressing admira-
bly, in their training and nothing, thus
far, has gone amiss with either of them.
They take their exercise regularly, sub
nit to all the numerous privations.
sacrifices, and hardships incident to
the necessary physical preparation with
out murmur or evasion and are pass.
ing through those changes of condition
which marks the publication Of the
body, and the new building up Of The
system, in manner which has given
satisfaction to their most experienced
and interested friends.
1t may strike many as singular, that
the preparatory season Of pugilist
should be spoken of with the terms of
hardships, sacrifices, and privations
but when it is known what the aspiring
gladiator has to undergo i'd his prelimi-
nary work, it will be seen that the pun:
ishment of training is more bitter and
more tasking to the mind and body;
than the suffering of dozen fights.
The object of training is to purify
the body to its natural condition, and
then to strengthen its powers 60 that,
at given time, man may be at the
highest point Of physical vigor which
his frame and qualities will permit him
to attain. An able writer On the sub.
ject of training, has said, that "The
whole process may be resolved into the
following principles. First, the Evacu-
ating-which cleanses the stomach and
intestines. Second, the Sweating
which takes off the superauities of fat
and humor. Third, the Daily Exer.
cise-which improves the mind, and
strengthens. the muscles and lastly, the
Rigimen-which nourishes and invig.
crates the body. Pugilists who en-
gage to fight must undergo the training
process to contend, and the issue Of
the contest, if their natural powers
be equal. will be apt to be decided by
their relative condition, as affected by
training, at the hour Of trial"
According to Captain Barclay, pc
des!rian or pugilist enters upon his
course of training with regular course
of physic, which consists Of three dos
es. Glauber salts are generally prefer
red. and from one ounce and half to
! twe o,inees are taken each time, with an
interval of four days between each dose.
After having gone through the course
of physic, he commences his regular
exercise, which is gradually increased
as he proceeds in the training. He
must rise at FIVE in the morning, walk
and run between twenty and twenty.
five miles day, and retire about eight
in the night. At intervals in the day,
he must go through severe athletic ex-
ercises, such as practicing with the
dumb bells, striking at a heavy swing
ing bag, and sparring and wrestling
with accomplished pugilists of his op-
ponen,'s weight and size. After hav-
ing gone on in this regular course for
three or four weeks, he must early Iii
the morning take a four-mile sweat,
which is produced by running four
miles in flannel, at the top of his speed.
A hot drink is then given to him, and
he is put to bed in his hanneis, covered
with six or eight pair of blankets and a
teather-bed, to remain in that state for
twenty-fv to thirty minutes. He is
then taken out, rubbed dry, and being
we'll wrapt in great-coat, takes gen.
tie two-mile walk, and returns To break.
fast on roasted fowl. These sweats
are continued weekly, till within short
period of the contest; and their object
is to keep down the tendency to gather
flesh, and to cleanse the body Of any
inward fat.
In the way of diet, animal food il
alone prescribed +; and beef and mutton
are preferred. All fat and greasy sub.
stances are prohibited, ans no vegata.
bles are allowed. Fresh meat is the
most wholesome and nourishing, and
all sorts of seasoning. except very lit.
tie salt or vinegar, are forbidden. The
meat should be broiled, and it always
shonld be underdone. Biscuit and
stale bread are the only preparation oi
vegetable matter that are allowed. AL
liquors must be taken cold. Beer drawn
from the cask may be taken in moder.
ate quantity at dinner but i. is an es
tablished rule to avoid all stimulants,
and to taste liquids as seldom as posi-
BILE. Even water is never given, ex-
cept in the smallest quantities, and then
only sufficient to moisten the mouth;
and not to quench the thirst. By this
means the blood is thickened, and the
flesh made firm, while the various ex.
ercises of the day give activity. spright.
liness, and strength. Perfect chastity
of life during the training process is al.
so absolutely incumbent !; aud for this
reason. as well because Of the eager de.
sire for water after violent exercise, the
trainer must keep constant watch over
him, be with him in his walks and exer.
cises, and even share his bed.
These are the mere general outlinee
of the training process its details ex.
hibit great variety of additional pri
vations.
| 1t is in this kind ofpreparation which
the two formidable men, whose names
form the caption to this article, are now
spending their time, and which, as We
said before, they progress upon as well
as can be expected. Mo,rissey, who
is at Lansingburg, near Troy, has al,
ready taken two sweats, has undergone
very close and severe work, and stands
reduced at the present time to l78 h..
though his usual weight is about goo ID.
He will, however, be henceforth slight
ly built upon, and perhaps 60 into the
ring at 1873 to 1875 pounds.
Heenan, who is at the Rock Cottage,
kept by James Hughes, on the Bloom
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