New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-10
THE COLLYER-EDWAR FI&H T

C0ilYer Terribly Punished,
The New York Tribune reports the follow
ing:
On the fifth of January last an agreement
was made between William Edwards, q
young Englishman, residing in this city.
and Walter Jamison, elias Sam Collyer.
Franco-Scotsman, living in Baltimore, to
fight on the second Of March, at l24 pounds
weight, in "a ring, for $4,000 and the cham
pionship of American ight.weights. 1t is
some satisfaction to know that the American
lightweight championship can thus go beg
glng as far as American citizens are con-
cerned, and it will not be out of place here
to state that even: the American heavy
weight championship is to be decided by
couple of British bruisers, Tom Allen and
Jem Mace next May. Both Edwards
and Collyer are prominent fsticuffs,
having met in similar encounter on
the twenty-fourth of August, 1868, in which
Edwards was victorious. Collyer has APP
peared as principal in several battles, hav-
ing fought for prize money on eight occa'
sions.
Edwards, although the hero in many
"turn up" has battled but once before in
ring. After the preliminary documents as
to this fight were drawn and signed, Ed
wards took up his training quarters In the
upper part of this city, when the police in
terferred !: but being assured the combat
would not take place ia New York State,
they contented themselves with his removal
from the Metropolitan district. He then
found quarters on the road connecting East
New York with Jamaica, l.. l., where he
enjoyed his 'airing' as freely as the birds.
Collver worked this superfuous flesh off in
Baltimore, and it is stated that he reduced
| his weight some forty pounds. In company
with that other genial bruiser, Barney
Aaron. Collyer LETT Baltimore on Friday last,
and came to this city, which had been de-
cided upon as the rendezvous. All prellm :
| inaries had been arranged week ago, the
| place of fighting being Mystic Island, Long
| Island Sound, about seven miles from New
| London, Connecticut. A steamboat TO con-
vey the roughs was chartered to leave New
York on Tuesday evening, and convey them
| to New London, where a second steamer lay
| in wal. to transport the party to the island.
| A Mr.. Tracy, of Cincinnati, was chosen
referee; Dooney Harris was second for Ed
wards, and Barney Aaron for Collyer. At
| GAS time was called, and the men ap-
preached each other and shook hands, a for.
mality recognized as necessary as far back
| as the memory of fighting man gOeth. The
weather was bitter cold, and both being
stripped above the waist, let go few hasty
whacks by way of "warming up" Edwards
struck first, and left the impress of his
handiwOrk on the nose of Collyer, the return
of the latter being less effective. Both
fought quickly upon meeting at the second
cali, but Edwards hit hardest, and knocked
| Collyer fairly Off his feet cutting him Sc
verely upon the forehead at the same time
From this time the Englishman had little to
| DO in defense, and tumbled his adversary
now this way, and now that, the unfortu-
nate Collyer coming up only to be knocked
| down round after round. FOrty-two times
| did the referee call up the men, but the last
call was uLheeded by Collyer, who lay
senseless from the effects OF perhaps the
most terrific blow of all that had been struck.
The fight being declared over, the limp
and battered form of Collyer was conveyed
to hotel, where, restoratives being admin
| istered, he vomited blood. To sum up the
whole of this brutal affair, Edwards was de-
clared winner after fighting forty-tWo
| rounds in forty-fve minutes, for which ne
received the cheers of those present, and
| his share in the main stake. Poor, mlsera.
| BILE Collyer got more blows than dollars,
| more curses than cheers, more kicks than
caresses, and lost in those forty-hve minutes
| the admiration of a class he has been for SIX
| years fighting to uphold. Edwards was
| very little hurt, and came away with the
| crowd on the steamer. Collyer was SO badly
| injured that he could not be removed from
| the island.
| There was no interference by the authori'
ties. The Governor of Connecticut tele
graphed to the Sheriff OF New London
county to stop the fight. but too late. A
| Mystic the militia were called out, but theil
services were not required, as the crowd
| was yeryOrderly.f