Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-02
VIGNAUx'S VICTORY.
The billiard Championship Wrested
Prom Dion - Extraordinary Feats
With the Cue.


Prom Dion - Extraordinary Feats
with the Cue.
New York Correspondence dee. 30l Of the
Chicago Times.
The great billiard match for the cham
pionship Of the United States, between
Maurice Vignaux and Joseph Dion, drew
an immense assemblage to Tammany hall
this evening. Vignaux, who mas, Of course,
the established reputation Of being the
ablest billiardist in the United States, was
the fayOrite at large odds. His wonderful
nerve and peculiar power Of nursing the
balls were generally conceded. Never
theless, DiOnis longtime record, generally
cool and excellent play, and his deteunina-
ton TO become again, If possible, the cham
piOn Of America, inspired his friends with
confidence, and betting was accordingly
brisk. Capt. Tom Reeves was selected TO
act as referee, Mr.. Stone as umpire for
Dion, Mr.. IsadOr Gayraud as umpire for
Vignaux: and Mr.. Wilmarth as marker.
At SIP o'clock the players struck for the
lead, which was won by Dion. DE failed
TO count in the first inning, and Vignaux
followed with 3, breaking up on an easy
draw. In the next inning Joe made
pretty run of (, and Vignaux followed with
1. In the third inning Joe had scored 2,
the second shot being a very pretty round
the-table for position, when an unlueky
kiss left the balls I'm the lower right-hand
eorner, in very dific1lt position TO make
a counting shot. BE played the cue ball up
the side Of the cushion for safety, and Wig
nauk failed 70 count. In the seventh
inning Dion seemed to have been imbued
with new life, and made a run Of 2S, fol-
10 rfrrrra - III r. "A 4 T.
the eighsh and ninth innings. In the for
mer NigIsux, in playing a simple draw,
played thee ball too easily, and left a
put-up Tor lis opponent, from which he
made As without gettingthe balls six inches
apart. At theend of the ninth inning the
game Stood Fl % 100 in favor Of Dion. The
latter, having gOt so far ahead, seemed to
think there was 10 more necessity for play
ing carefully, andbegan 10 play rOund-the
table and crOss-cuihiOn shots, apparently
regardless Of position, and in the next six
innings added only IL 10 his score. In the
18th inning, the Frenehman, by a success
sion Of very pretty draw, rOund-the-table,
spread, and masse shots, got the balls to-
gether and made a very brilliant fun of
1872, beating his own large run of 159,
made in his game with young Geo. SlOs-
son, of Chicago, Nov. Z, and making the
second largest run ever made az the three
ball game. This left the score us to 223
in his favor, which, upon being announced,
was received with loud and prolonged APP
plause. During this run Dion sat at the
side Of his umpire, gazing fiEedly 4 the
table and apparently very anxious fort TO
stop.
At this point of the game, Vignalx's
friends became excited, and were freely
offering 500 to SIS on him, with 10
takers. 4
ssIn the next inning Dion only made l,
while the Frenchman added 20tO his score.
In the 10th Dion added a well-earned run
Of y TO his score, and was followed by
VignauX with a run of ?. The latter in
the 23d inning made brilliant run Of 63,
leaving the score al the end Of that inning
lac to 334 in his favor. Dion forced it
very hard to get the balls together. Soon,
however, he began to do better, and in the
2 IN inning made neat run. On the 2Sth
81 1t the balls frOze, were spotted, and he
I ade counting shot, continuing the run
antil he had scored A. His friends now
began to show themselves, and every bril-
liant shot, every mastery stroke of the cue
was loudly applauGed. Betting, too, picked
W C1Lle4NlcLdults anu TADV 70 ~ WIS o.
fered, with but few takers. The amounts
offered were continually fuctuating, and
grille Dion offered to bet $50 to $3.50 on
his brothers winning the game.
In the 34th inning Dion added a neat
run Of IL to his. score, breaking up on mis-
cue. His opponent failed to count, and he
made another i, again making a miscue.
Nignaux, however, was more fortunate this
time, and added II 10 his score. In the
next inning Dion made a very BRILLIANT run
Of 9, and the Frenchman followed with 10.
In the 18th Joe made q, in the 10th IS, and
in the 42d 81, showing that there was a bare
possibility Of his winning the game yet.
This squirt caused a rise in his stock, but
did not seem 10 effect Vignaux in the least,
as ia the latter inning he added % to his
score, and in the 44th, by very brilliant
play and wiZZard-like nursing, made run
of lie, leaving the score $50 for Dion TO
$50 for Nignaux. Dion, nothing dsunted,
however, went to work, and by a series Of /
very fine shots succeeded in adding II to
hisfsscOre. Vignaux only scored l, and
Dion again got the balls together, this
time brilliantly nursing them until be ad-
ded "a 20 his score. The Frenchmau
scored 3, and closed the game in the 4Sth
inning, Dion being SIS.
The excitement towards the close Of the
game was intense.
Winners average, 12l; time Of game, 3 |
hours and 43 minutes.