Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-22
BILLIARDS IN CALIFORNIA
The Match for the Champ fonship o and
the Diamond Cue, between Deery
and Dion at Sam Francisco-AnE Ex.
citing Time.
Correspondents. Of the Chicago Journal

Correspondents of the Chicago Journal
A large audience-clese on three thou
sand persons-congregated at the Me-
chanics' Fair Building, last evening, to
witness the long talked of contest between
10 N Deery, champion Of America, and
CyriIle Dion, champion OF Canada. The
match was for $1,000, the diamond cue,
and the champ mpionship. The lower gal
leries of the building were crowded with
ladies, who seemed to take as much in
terest in the game rs their male escorts.
When Messrs Deery and Dion ap-
peared on the foor they were received
with long, prolonged and enthusiastic
cheering. When this had subsided Mr.
Hughes firm of Strahl & Hughes. billiard
table manufacturers) came forward and
stated the terms of the match: that it
would be fifteen hundred points up, carom
game, push shots and crotching balls
barred. One of Phelan's four-pocket
standard billiard tables was used for the
occasion, and it was placed on platform
in the center of the hall, raised seats
reaching nearly to the galleries sur
rounding it. Deery. started slightly
ahead, but was soon overtsken and
passed by Dion, who kept that
position for the most part till the 59h
inning, the latter then standing 9l7 to
Deery's 700. Even betting had run
high before-now Deery's hackers began
to look disconsolste. That player
showed his usual calmness, although
under somewhat trying circumstances,
Dion appearing to have very much OF
the sympathy of the assembly. Now
Deery began to brighten up. and made
successfully su runs of 1872, 81, q and l02.
At the end of the 89th inning, Deery
was 1873 ahead. After this again Dion
picked up, and in one run made l56 On
be went trumphantly until he had scored
1892, when he missed an apparently easy
shot, and left tha bn,is to his opponent,
then 1872 behind. Now Deery went in
for careful play; getting the balls near
the corner he made a run OF 1871. He
then required II more to finish the game,
when his ball, was kissed iuto pocket
after making a shot. Dion took the cue
and missed counting. when Deery sue
ceeded in making IL, and thus won the
game.
The scene which ensued battles de-
scription. Deery threw down his cue,
and was running hurriedly to shake
hands with Dion, when he was caught up
BY bis friends and nearly dismenbered
limb from limb, his clothes being half
torn from his back. John Wilson, the
we'll known circus man, was present, and
took up many bets during the progress
of the game, finally coming out winner
to the extent of about $4,000 At the con-
clusion of the performance he made his
way to the spot where Deery and Dion
we're standing, and, while they struggled
from his embrace, said impressively, and
in an ultrs-theatrical manner: Boys,
boys, bless you both ="
With his hat knocked over his eyes,
and in q generally diIspidsted condi-
ton, Deery was compelled to mount the
billiard table to get from his too warm |
admirers. The general impression of q
rational being would have been that he
was being deliberately murdered by q
band of escaped lunatics. Mounted on |
the table, he was greeted with cheer
after cheer; the whole building ap-
peared in e state Of choas, everybody |
crowding forward, chairs and other
things generally being very much mixed |
up in the mass of surging humanity.
preserve us from our friends" must |
have been Deery's heartfelt prayer when |
be at last made his escape in carriage |
but only for time, his saloon on Bush |
street being hesieged by an army of
admirers till an early hour this morning