The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-06-25
HE PRIZE RING.
Fight Between ColIyer and Aaron
--AarOn the Winner of the Mill
"A Disgraceful Exhibition.

"A DisgracefuI Exhibition.
/ We make the following extract from
the Pittsburgh Commercials account oi
| tee prize fight at Acquia Greek between
lCollyer and Aaron:
! Aaron was the first man to shy his cas-
tor into the ring, which to the astonish.
ment of the uninitiated was not ring but
a twenty -four square feet inclosure oi
lgreen sward, surrounded by two ropes
with an outer ring about four feet wide
running all around, which. was partition,
led off from the first row of seats by an.
Iother rope AS he advanced inside oi
1.-THE ropes, deafening shouts from his par.
tisans saluted him, and his twinkling
Jewish eye laughed response to the
compliment. Collyer came in afterwards
and lost the choice of corners, which
llAarons friends claimed as good omen
for their man.
Thetseconds stripped their principals,
and Alderman Bill McMullin, of Phila-
delphia was chosen referee. He ad-
dressed the crowd saying: "These hyer
boys have come hyer to fight, and I have
come to see 'em. | like to see it, and
they're going to fight on their merits
/ am chosen referee, and I'm going to
caution them both once-when they make
a mistake, ,and after that I'll decide against
Iary man that does it again"
The fighters seemed grati6ed at this
iexhibition of manly eloquence, and the
crowd sigui6ed its appreciation by round
after round of cheers. The speaker con-
tinued; "You reporters mustn't say any
thing about my name being referee. Ii
you do, I'll slice your ears off when I
catch you in Philadelphia. "
Collyer was the first man stripped, and
presented most magnificent physique.
His bust was perfect model of muscular
perfection, but his face, although pre-
senting some features indicating intelG-
gence, and particularly frmness, was
brown with the exposure Of training, and
looked like dry parchment. Aaron's
body was not SO full but there was no ex.
ira flesh on it. The seconds posted their
men and put spiked shoes on their feet,
when the Alderman referee called time.
The combatants approached the scratch,
made with stick in the sward and shock
hands. There was smile of satisfaction
on both their faces, and their hands look
ed like turkeys feet, as they had been
tanned by some chemical preparation to
make them tough. The fighting com.
menced at 7.10 and lasted through sixty
eight rounds, for two hours and fifty five
minutes. 1t was evident that Aaron
would draw the first blood, as Collyer's
flesh was in such perfect condition, and
so transparent, that the veins of his arms
and breast could be seen through it, tWis-
ted around the knotted cords and heavy
muscles. Smoking was abolished, as the
men objected to it.
The yells of the partisans were deaf
Iening as the sparring commenced, and
when Aaron on the first round drew blood
from Gollyer's left temple his friends
were almost frantic with JOY. The blows
| from Col!yer's right hand were terrible
and were planted with heavy thump on
Aaron's left breast with unerring precis-
lion, causing him to grunt audibly. Aaron
fought with great skill, and showed him.
self from the first to be the best spar
rer.
He followed up his advantage on his
opponents left temple and eye in each
subsequent round, and finally closed it.
His strategy was splendid, as he took ad-
vantage of his privilege of going down
after giving or receiving blow, and
avoided punishment while Coilyer sought
him out in every corner and pushed the
fight with great yigor for forty rounds,
which occupied an hour and a quarter.
Collyer kept his temper remarkably
well, although his friends Kissed Aaron's
coHardIy going to grassland he was taun-
- by his opponents supporters with
lies Of derision at his swollen face. He
got the first knock down, and after the
forty second round did not receive much
punishment. But his previous injuries
told on him with great effect. .Aaron's
left breastwas badly marked and swelled
while his left eye was nearly closed, and
his nose smashed fat and spread out
all over the left side of his face. .But
little blood flowed from Aaron's wounds
while Collyer's injuries bled freely. Theil
faces were purple, and their left cheeks
resembled big pieces of beef liver more
than anything else.
During one of the rounds, in the forti
eth, Aaron succeeded in pushing CollyeI
back against the ropes, and pushing hin
hard caused him to vomit great mouth
full of blood. Collyer Strengthened him
self up and with side winder brought
the palm of his hand fat on the back o.
Aaron's head, sending him sprawling OF
the grass like felled beef.
j The rounds were much alike, except
that the result of the wrestling variet
with the advantage gained in clinching
On the 67thround Collyer seemed to have
improved, but on the 68th they wrestlet
and he fell in such a manner as|tp close
his remaining eye, and could notcome t.
time. Both men tainted, but Aaron re
vived first, and he was able to walk tt
the boat, while Collyer had to be car
lried.
The brutality of the scene can only b
appreciated by those who witnessed it
and the fearful degradation Of the crowd
as evidenced in their blasphemous anc
disgustingly filthy remarks Of derisioI
or encouragement. is beyond the imagi
nation even of Robelal. "Hit him TO,