Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-29
BILLIARDS..
The American ChampIonship.

INT AhfEAtttH ShhAARAhusAiBs
The New York Times gives some interest
ing particulars of the late billiard match
between Dion and McDevitt. 1t says;
Strategy was the predominant feature of
the game, about One-third Of The ia
innings being devoted 10 deliberate plays
for safety. McDevitt, although fortune was
against him, played with great care and
forethought, chalking his cue at almost
every stroke, and never attempting TO shoot
unless he felt reasonably confident either
of being successful or of leaving the balls
safe for his opponent. He was seldom able
to get the balls well together, which ace
counts for the small runs made by him,
those over So being l8l, l52, l2S and 49,
while Dion's were 800, l57, 10, Sc, IS and
g.. Once McDevitts balls "froze," when
he stood in fair prospect of large run,
and he was forced 10 play for safety, after
having scored AZ; while, when he was 80
points ahead, and had but las to 80, an un-
fortunate kiss set all the balls up on the
cushion for his opponent, who ran there
from ITO. Except in being defeated after
victory had seemed fairly within his grasp,
Dion was lucky, making no less than eight
scratches" his last run (46) being started
on shot of this kind. Having the balls in a
favorablep position in thisrun, it was thought
that he would make the needed So but he
played them but indifferently, and ceased
counting at forty-six, twelve more needed.
McDevitt succeeded in counting, and, ap-
preciating that it was his last chance, dis
regarded two easy shots, and played one
which, though extremely risky under the
circumstances, was certain to bring the
balls together if made and as certainly to-
gether If missed. The shot was an indirect
"draw" Of about eighteen inches in length,
the object in playing it being to send the
ball first struck up the table and down
again, 30 as to range alongside of the others.
McDevitt counted, and Dion, realizing that
he had been beaten laid down his cue
When the final stroke had been made, a
rush was made for the winner, who for a
while stood in danger Of being torn 10
pieces; Who although they were strangers
TO him-as, to his knowledge, he had but
two friends in the hall-had desired his
success. Unutterable agony was depicted
on Dion's face, and his brother Cyrille wepi
like a child. The betting was at the rate
oil three ana lOur 10 one, ana ABOUT SoVVN
changed hands, residents of Montreal Civ
ing the odds and other residents accepting
it, The average of the winner was thirteen
and an eighth, and the time ofgame five hours
and fifteen minutes, or about an hour and
a half greater than any other match played
unde. ike terms by the first class experts
McDevitt has been challenged by Mel
win Foster of this city, Joseph Dion and
John w. Coon, the latter Of Chicago. Eos
ter is entitled &c priority, and Dion and
Coon will follow in the order named. The
match between Foster and McDevitt will
take place in Chicago, IL being the cham
! pion's privilege TO name the city of nii
residence. McDevitt desires TO be under
stood that in Difference to the wishes of the
American Billiard Association, expressed
at its meeting in Montreal last June, al
matches for the championship, so long a
he holds the cue, must be played on
Phelsn & Collender, second-sized four
pocket table, instead Of, as heretofore, on
of the full size. He will not, he further
more declares, countenance the "jawing
of balls, which the association recommend
ed should be abolished.