The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-16
A DESPERATE PRIZE FIGHT.
Two New Workers Have Forty Rounds-The
Men Sh0ckingly DIutiIated.
tFrom the Evening Telegram Of yesterday.l


Men ShOckingly BIutiIated.
tFrom the Evening Telegram OF yesterday.I
BOSTON, July Is, 1868.
The obscure town OF birmingham, some twenty
miles from Boston, the line OF the Albany Railroad
was the scene OF considerable rowdysm ana excite.
ment this morning, consequent upon lively prize
nght between couple OF New York bruisers, named
Durgan and Murphy.
The principals and their friends left New York yes.
terday afternoon and last night and arrived In
Framingham at an early hour this morning. They
did not quarter at any hotel but being well provided
with refreshments, both substantial and liquid, spent
tne tme until morning IN securing around the coun-
try TO select suitable spot for tho trial of muscle to
take place. point about six miles outside the vii
lage was selected, and about an hour before daylight
the ring was pitched and the fight commenced in The
presence OF rabble Of two or three hundred men,
nearly all Of whom were under the influence Of
liquor, and from whom the most inhuman and un
earthiy shrleKs came as this or that man took she
lead in the fight.
Henry W. Burrows OF Springfield, was chosen re-
feree, ana Charles Martin acted as umpire for
Durgan and p. Seare acted for Murphy Before the
mill commenced there was considerable betting the
odds generally being in favor OF Durgan, and among
the bets were couple by Durgan himself that he
would not only win the fight, but get the arst knock
down. The last point OF his bet was won in the
first round there being great excitement and yelling
as Murphy fell.
The second round was sharp one and both got
hard knocks On the third Murphy got a sumner on
the forehead which broke the flesh and caused the
blood to hOw freely The fourth round was not bad
for either one, but in the fifth there was severe
great excitement and Indignation followed. Both
were punished badly and the blood 0ozed in heavy
streams from botn men as they were carried back
to their corners. The sixth round not prOduc-
tive OF much fighting, but during the next seven
eight Murphy gave Ills antagonist fearful punish
ment.
AT about the twentieth round. however, Murphy
got blow which sent him spra ing mar way across
the ring. The bow was gwen on the nose,
to crush the bone OF that prominent
organ almost to spinters. The crash sounded like
the breaking OF a heavy timer, and IL was for a
moment the general belief that Durgan had killed
his man. Murphy was picked up ana carried back
To his corner most pitfui sght. but by lively
sponging and other good care ne was enabled to
come to time.
Durgan; but at about the thirtieth Murphy had
gained sufficient power To give his opponent an I'M
pleasant and ugly cash over tue left eye which had
the effect OF closing that organ entirely soon after.
There were forty rounds fought altogether, the last
ten being almost every one II favor OF Durgan, his
antagonist Murphy, beng dreadfully punished and
diSlgured.
In the thirty-ninth round he was scarcely able to
come to time, but after getting through with IL he
Unexpectedly rallied and came to time for the for
teth, but heavy blow from Durgan sent him at full
length upon the ground and as 1t was apparent that
he would not again rally his seconds threw up tue
sponge in token OF defeat, and Durgan declared
the winner OF the light and OF the stakes OF $500.
After the light the men were taken TO neighbor-
ing grove and their ugly wounds were dressed, and
the party refreshed themselves preparatory to taking
passage for New York.
It was ascertained that besides the irreparabe
damage TO Murphy's nasal organ one or two of his
ribs were also broken and IL would not be surprising
II all OF his wounds should prove fatal.