The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-09-14
NEWMAN vs.. PRATT.
A Great Religious Prize Fight.

David and Goliath settled the merits of the
lsraelo-P Philistine controversy by duel with
slings and things. (And it may be added that
David settled one other subject, viz: Goliath
himselt) In somewhat similar spirit
Prof" Orson Pratt and the Rev. DIR. New
man have been endeavoring to settle the con-
troversy betwiIt Brigham Young and Christep-
dom, as to the rightfulness Of polygamy, by a
sort OF oratorical prize fight in the arena of the
Mormon Tabernacle. This was done in sly
grand rounds, with umpires, (ink) bottle
holders, and all other auxiliaries in due posi-
ton. Some of the papers have given several
columns descriptive of the contest, but we
have space and our readers time for only the
Glowing brief summary of the several
rounds:
First Round-Both men came up smiling
shook hands, and prepared to 20 10 work. Z.
Snow and c. NJ. Hawley acting as umpires.
and Marshal Patrick as referee. Pratt made
all the fight for some time, getting in under
his adverslry's smeller with two or three
stnglng texts from the Old Testament [Cries
OF first blood for Orsyr1 The Deseret Boy
then leveled at Newman several sharp body
blows from |. Chronicles, calling to mind the
practices of Joash, Johoida, Hosea and other
polygamous champions Of the (wedding) ring.
The Washington Boy, though but little pun
ished, here fell, and the two pulyerizers re-
tired to their respective corners.
Second Round-lt was now evident that
Washington was TO he heard from, and all
wouldn't be quiet on the Potomac for the
next sixty minutes. After little sparring TO
get into position, Johnny let fly his left duke
at PTatt's ribs, but the latter dodging, Brig
ham Young, his bOttle-holder, got il heavy
over Orsy's shoulder. ICries Of foul from
the friends Of Ioung.l The Washington Boy
then walked into Pratt, who got damaging
blow III his text basket, and fell for safety
II. 1
round until the next day. when about 1000
people surrounded the arena, eager to see the
Inn. Both men looked bright and gamey.
The tight now, by common consent assumed
a phase not allowed by the rules of the Lon
don prize ring, any sort Of missiles being al
lowed either cOmbatant. Pratt commenced
by tipping the Washington Boy some light
apostolic blows and knocks" and followed
them up by four more Old Testament texts.
He then brought in his reserves. and threw in
Newman's face the prostitutes and nlanticides
Of New York and New England. This sent
Newman to grass, amid the acclamations OF
the saints. Bets were now 500 to SIS on
Pratt
Fourth Rouud-At the call of the umpire.
Newman came mp smiling, Notwithstanding
his apparent punishment of the previous
round. Indeed, he claimed that there was no
hit at all. Pratt's blows and missiles having
scattered badly. He struck out from the
shoulder with Leviticus xviii, Is, which had
the effect to close Pratt's left peeper-for the
time at least. SpaTring. with occasional ex-
changes of original Hebrew and marginal re-
ferences, followed Pratt being knocked into
lis corner 10y particularly hard Greek root
from one OF Paul's epistles The parties here
adjourned over night, with the feeling still in
favor of Prntt, on account OF the great pre-
ponderanco OF Orsv's friends in the crowd.
Fifth Round-The throng had now in
crensed to six thousand. there being no fur
ther apprehension of trouble from the police |
Pratt forced the fighting from the onset, pnn-
Ishing his antagonist with some false knuckIes
Of arithmetic, which, it is thought his bottle |
holder furnished him on entering the ring
He hurled back Newnan's texts from Levitt |
Gus and Malachi. and slnshed night and left !
nt all Hebrew and Greek root grinders. mar.
ginal references, and all that He then got in |
his dexter mauler on Newman's non scg,,itur, !
and sent him to grass amid loud applause
Sixth Rouud-Newman was still lively as n
cricket, and full of game. He drew the claret
freely. with reduciiO dd dbSurdm. The Des. |
nret Boy was then pelted with patriarchs, |
rom Abraham 10 Elkanah, which worried him |
Iearfully. These took effect on the ribs of the |
Mormon champion, which suffered severely. |
The Washington Boy then let fly several |
eit hauders from st. Paul, which closed the |
Mormon apostles remaining pepper, and he |
was forced to seek his corner, and his second |
hrow up the sponge
Tho referee gave the battle TO Newman, |
Referees decision not yet given who was |
borne of in triumph by his friends but the |
friends of Pratt, particularly Brigham, claim |
hat the victory fairly belonged to their man, !
md refuse to accept tho referees decision |
Their forbearance from violence or oppressive |
in view of their great majority in |
numbers, reflects great credit to the friends of |
he Deseret Boy.-Chcdq0 Post