Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-08-21
PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE.

PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE.
A visit 90 McCOOle's Training Quar-
teEs-Whnt Hard Work and hegu.
Tar Hours Have Done for Him.
From tho st. Louis Democrat, lsth.l
As the time for tho encounter between
those scientific experts Of the fstic art,
Mike McCoole and Tom Allen ap-
proaches, much chaf is being INDUCED
in by the friends of both parties. Allen
was a witness for the defense in the
Mollie McCoole case on Saturday morn
ing, and his appearance In the Police
Court created quite sensation. Tom
seems to be taking things easy, for he
has still on his bones a great amount OF
flesh, that will require to be worked off
before the 23d day OF September, the
day fixed for the fight. Rumor has it
that Allen is not training as csnscien-
tiously as might be, and it is feared by
his friends that he is holding his formi-
dable antagonist entirely too cheap.
This may be all talk, however, for Allen
is too old fighter to throw away any of
the chances that will tend to win the
fight. Having seen Allen, and being de.
sirous of ascertaining how McCoole was
getting along, Democrat reporter, ac-
companied by Johnny Smith and couple
of friends, proceeded to Macs training
quarters yesterday afternoon. McCoole
and his mentor, Bill Blake, better known
as dublin Tricks" have for nearly two
months past been training at Johnny
Smiths hostelrie, on the corner of the
Gravois road and Cherokee streets. On
arriving within about a mile of the
house, McCoole, accompanied by "Trix,
hove in sight, both men walking at a rap
id gait, aad the former being dressed in
light pants, English walking shoes, gray
coat, closely buttoned, and slouched hat.
McCoole's condition, even at this early
day, appeared to be perfect, and it was
at once evident that he must have been
doing wonderfully earnest work. to re-
duce himself as he has done. His skin
is as brown as berry, and as clear as
anything possibly could be, while his
spare cheeks present ruddy glow, and
his eyes are as bright as couple of sill
yer dollars fresh from the mint.
q" Halo, Jakel" said Mike, as he
recognized an acquaintance, and ad.
vanced to the carriage, "how d'ye do2
All hands were introduced, after which
Jake vouchsafed the reply that Mike was
looking the picture of health, and better
than he had ever known him to look be-
fore.
"Oh, I'm safe" said Mac, with sig
nifcant look and shake of his brawny
shoulders. You see, some of the boys
we're fooling up at the house, and my
watch was dropped and the hair-spring
got broke; so I'm going after it, must
have my watch, for | can'G sleep or eat
without it.
A few more reremarks were exchanged,
after which McCsole bade the party
good-day; remarking again that he was
safe, and stating that he would be up at
Smiths in about three quarters Of an
hour
The party then proceeded to Mike
McCoole's Headquarters" as the way
farer is informed by a huge sign on a
snug little cottage. Here Johnny Smith
showed the party the manner in which
McCoole goes about his work In shed
adjoining are weights, sand bags, blad-
ders and shower bath, all of which are
used to aid Mac in his endeavor to put a
head on the blarsted Englisher," " whose
claims to the championship he intends to
dispute. McCoole puts in good deal of
hard wsrk during the day, commencing
at 5 am, at which hour he rises and
walks mile and half, to the butcher s
and return. While his breakfast is cook
ing he takes q shower bath and exercises
with the sand bags and weights. After
breakfast he takes a walk of about ten
miles, which is repeated again in the
afternoon. In the evening he also takes
walk of a few miles, and retires early.
The only liquor in which he INDUCES,
and that but sparingly and at meal times
is imported porter Smith informed the
reporter that Mike takes to his training
kindly, and that he will enter the ring in
better condition than he has ever before.
His weight at present is about two hun
dred and ten pounds, he having worked
off about forty pounds of flesh.
Sunday large number of visitors
were out to see him, the saloon, in fact,
being crowded nearly all day. The fact
that McCoole wears, during his hardest
and longest walks, flannel mask and
two heavy wooden undershirts, doubtless
accounts for the wonderful change in his
face. When he fought Allen before his
face was full end soft, and was so cut and
swollen by ALIENS blows that his eyes
began to close after the first round or
two. He and his friends are now conf
dent that his face is in the best possible
condition, and that if Allen wins it will
only be By accident or terrible fighting
Allen, ii is said, has doae little or no
work, and is endeavorilg to reduce him
self by walking and Turkish baths, The
fraternity generally appear to believe
that this course, if persisted in, will
weaken him aud make his chances of
winning still more uncertain: He will
probably fight at one hundred and eighty
Eve and McCoole at two hundred pounds.