The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-30
A BIG GAME AT MARBLES.
A Butcher and n Barber Again nj
the sport of their BoyhOod.
TEN nOrRs oF PLAYING.

There was match made in New York
to shoot 1000 marbles for $780, which the
New York Sun narrates as follows: The
competitors were the well-known butcher,
John McKewen, and Fritz, the barber
McKewen weighs $50. lie Is about five
feet eleven, and before lie grew so fat was
one of the best-made men ever seen. He
has been an athlete of note in his day.
Fritz is a famous German barber in Sew
enth avenue, near FIftieth street They
call him Dutch Fritz. He weighs 1870
pounds, is five feet ten, well made. and fine
looking They are both hrancttrs. but Me-
Kcwen Is rosy, while Fritz IS pale and sal
low. In spite Of his size, MrKcwcn is de
cidedly the handsomer man
The match was made in Frilzs shop early
on Monday morning while MCKcwen was
being shaved Fri;,s little boys were
shooting marbles in the shop, and Nc
Kewen cycling the sport while enjoying his
shave, said, II was the best marble shot in
my day in this ward"
"I'll bet you weren't any better nj that
than |, said Fritz. No boy could plump
out the taws by the side of me.
"I'll bet could have beat YOU" said Nc
Kewcn.
''Tll bet you could not do it NOW" re-
torted Fritz.
"What'l you bet 2" said NcKewcn.
1.-TWO hundred and fifty dollars" said
Fritz
Done said McKewen, and the details
of the match We're quickly arranged 1t
was agreed by their friends that the two
should shoot 1000 marbles, and the man
who pumped out 600 marbles first should
be declared the winner
The news fled around the neighborhood
and a crowd gathered so rapidly it was
necessary to shut the doors Of the BARRIERS
shop and admit only n limited number Of
spectators. Mr.. Rogcrt, n mutual friend,
was referee. y ring was chalkc1 ON the
floor and the rules of the game were SET
tied. They tossed Il pcnnyto decide whc-
thcr they should shoot - marbles at each
inning or 100. Fritz was in favor Of the
100 marbles. But McKrwcn' friends
would not agree on account of his
size. So great is his obesity he was
obliged TO shoot in u peculiar position
Every time he stopped to shoot II was
necessary for another man To be ready
with chair. which he placed in front of
Mckewcn to support him, as he knclt on
one knee and sent his ally spinning over
the five yards at the taws in the ring. The
penny came down for 25 shots to the in
ming, and McKewen's hackers began to
book their bets. Another toss decided that
he should have the first shot, and the bet
ting on him WITS 100 to 80 McKewcn led
off, shooting at his % marbles, hitting 10
and missing fifteen, which were scored to
him. Fritz followed. hitting eight and
missing seventeen. Bets on McKewen
rose, 1875 to 10. The next round McKewcn
was not so skillful, perhaps too much
elatcd striking IS marbles out of the ring.
Fritz was more careful and plumbcd out
pa. This sent the betting up two to one
in the Dutchmans favor The game con-
tinued with varied success. sometimes one
being the fagoritc and sometimes the other,
until the expiration of half the score, with
Fritz ahead 10 marbles. Time, 3 hours
and 40 minutes, and both men exhausted
They took an hour for rest and refresh
ments.
When the men appeared in the room for
the second inning, much to the surprise of
all, McKcwcn looked as fresh as a rose and
calm and cool as Il May morning. Fritz
looked a little too excited for the knowing
ones. McHcwen led off, hitting Is. miss
ing TO- The sturdy German followed, re-
ducing his score by hitting and missing
IS The scores varied but the advantage
was clearly on the fat mans side as the
game PROGRESSED. The butcher won by his
greater powers Of endurance. Fritz be-
came so thoroughly exhausted by the sew
enth hour that ii was necessary to give him
slrong slimulantS. McKewcn took pure
water Both men suffered, but were game
to the last When nine hours had elapsed
Mckewen was 100 marbles ahead. and in
% minutes and - seconds more the ref
cree decided that the game was ended by
the fat mans having scored 600 Fritzs
score stood 49, making McKcwen the
winner by 1871 marbles, amid the tumult-
uous applause of ALL even the Dutchmans
hackers.