The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1864-09-24

4
| JOE RILEY and TOM FOSTER.
900 a side, IN Gold.
Treat excitement has been caused. fo,
some time past, among the patrons of the
manly art " in this place, by the prepa-
ratlons for this contest, which came off ai
acorrall constructed for the occasion. about
TWO miles above the town, on Sunday. the
18th of September.
THE MEN.
JOE RILEY halls from the Emerald Isle.
lie was born at Ballahays, in the county Of
Cavan, and is twenty-one years old. His
height is FIVE feet 91-2 inches. and his
weight l45 pounds. 'Ehis is his third an
pearanec in the ring On the 18th of Oc.
tober, 1861, he fought Billy Monaghan in
Sierra county, California, and whipped his
man clererly in twenty-five rounds. His
second encounter was with Pat Berry at
Virginia City, Nevada Territory, on the 7th
OF December, 1862. In this affair he came
Oft victorious after seven rounds. Joe had
been under the care Of Con Orcm, with the
assistance of friendly outsider. Tox
FOSTER, his opponent, is from the land OF
John Bull, and first saw the light at Not.
tingham, the birthplace of Bendigo, and Of
the present champion, Bob Brettle. His
age is thirty; weight 40, and his height
feets .l-2 inches. Foster was trained BY
Sailor Jack" better known as /" Happy
jack" and has fought once. His antago.
mist was Bill Trip. The fight took place
at Central City, c. t., on the Goth Of De.
cember, 1862. Foster was declared the
winner after the sixteenth round.
The referee was gentleman, we'll known
as patron of the ring, and discharged his
duties in an upright and impartial spirit, tc
the satisfaction of all present. The um.
piresehosen were Capt. George Williams
for Riley, and Mr.. George Hynson fo,
Foster.
Was fine; not cloud in the sky, and q
fine breeze. There was rather too much sun
but, by consent, the choice was between
northwest and south east, giving each mar
fair play. The attendance was very nu.
merous, every available spot being occupied
with eager spectators. Strict precaution:
had been taken to prevent any person,
with arms entering the corrall.
THE GROUND
Was we'll chosen, being nice level spot
among the hills. In the centre of the cor.
rail- most substantial ring was formed. A
nice spot of turf was alone wanted to make
it all that could be desired; but the sur.
face was level and free from rock. Every
means had been taken to ensure fair fight
The fine gravel pointed to hard times fol
the fallen, though it was less open to thu
objection Of slipperiness. An objection
having been made to the height of the ropes
Iit was allowed by the referee, and quickly
rcmedied. The crowd passed the time in tht
way usual on. such occasions; namely, il
betting and chaf, the greatest good hamol
prevailing. The odds had been in favor o.
Foster, but on the ground, the betting wal
even. A photograph of the toute ensen,bl
would have been one of the best and mos
varied pictures of mountaineer costum,
that ever the pencil of the artist portrayed
Whilst waiting for the men, any invasion
of the arena was met by loud cries of s'pu
him out" and, amidst general mirth, tn,
unlucky object of public notice retreatet
in the most crest-fallen manner. Through
out the entire proceedings, the spectator
behaved better than we ever remember tt
have seen On q similar occasion. Their
was no confusion and no ill-feeling. Losers
and winners behaved like men, and parted
cordially ..~-ta-H ~ r..T.
sfRiley's coiors were green and hewore th'
stars and stripes around his waist. Foste
hoissed blue stripes on q white ground
with blue and red spots. Con Orem actet
as second for Riley, and Joe Bean TO
Foster. The minor agreeables being per
formed by Mike Duane for Riley, and Jacl
Ellis for Foster. yE aaat -
Precisely at thirty-onc minutes past thre'
Foster SHE'D his castor into the ring. IL
was speedily followed by Riley. Both mel
then proceeded to divest themselves of thei
superauous togsery, and sat paticntl.
awaiting the call of the Referee. gS.
The toss for corners was won by Captain
George Williams in favor of Riley; where
unon Con conducted his man to the n
w. corner, while Joe Bean smiled upon hin
from tho S. E. Atseventeen minutes pas
four the men shook hands. Both looke'
/ we'll on their pins; Foster the most active
| Riley more heavily built. The latter hat