The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-03-30
THE VALLEY VIRGINIAN.
Stanton, Virginia,
On Their Muscle.

This IL a progressive era The advance of
Civilization develops fresh and novel aspira-
tons, and introduces rare and astounding cus-
toms. Leap year. too. is the period when lib
critics are allowed to what is called the feebler
sex. and as four years mtervenes we, of
course. expect to see evidences of the progress
that has been made under the Inspiration OF
the age we live in. Heretofore leap year
privileges have been confined to those delicate
attentions that imply the operation of the ten
der emotions, and comprehend affairs associated
with the aaOurs of life, rather than in the dis
with muscular development and achievements.
The leap year of 1S76-the Centennial leap
year-woull not be properly American did it
not give us something we had never seen be-
fore. And hence we were not surprised to no
tice in a recent issue Of the New York Times
a graphic account of regular boxing match
between two gentle Amazons who disdaining
the effeminate pretcnsions of their sex, went
into regular training preparatory to test Of
attachments in the manly art of self-defence,
and the science OF striking from the shoulder.
1t seems that several weeks ago Prof. James
Campbell. manager of Harry Hills establish
ment in Houston street, New York, conceived
the idea OF having as feature of his benefit 4
sparing match with boxing gloves between
two women. and offered as prize 5000 and a
piece of silver plate. In ordinary competition
between the gentler sex the greater stimulant
to exertion and triumph would have been a
''love of bonnet,'' or the graceful folds of a
rep silk, flounced and fluted in the latest style
of Worth. But ambitious of attainments in
the manly art, Miss Nettie Saunders and Miss
Rose lIarland entered the ring as competitors
for the prize. Both ladies arc in the bloom of
womanhood, the former. Irish, aged twenty
four years, stands five feet, six and half
inches i'll her stockings, and weighs 153 pounds.
Miss IIarand is an English woman, twenty
five years old, five feet, seven inches high and
brings the scales to the 1874 pound nctch-
The match being made according to the ap-
proved rules of the Ring both women went
INTO training, under skilful professors of the
pugilistic eft. The Times OF the 18th tells the
story Of their encounters and triunphs as fol-
lows
Owing to the declarations of both ladies as
to their respective intentions of conquering in
the fray. what the sporting class would term
ga lively mi T. was anticipated, and yesterday
Afternoon the theatre was packed with an APP
rreciative but noisy audience. Among the
sporting men present were the three brothers
Cobnrn. Prof VIM. Claree, Ned Malahan.
Mike Costello. Billy Madden, Butt REILLY,
- Pete Croker and many others. After the
usual variety performance and spsrring match
es between SedlOns' Mouse and join Kelly.
the event OF the entertainment WAS announced.
Mr. Hill introduced the lady contestants to the
audience. Miss Saunders Wore white bodice,
purple ee-breeches, which she had borrowed
from one Of the negro performers, red stock
ing and shoes Miss Harland wore blue trunks
and white tights. Both appeared exceedingly
neiVeils, were very pale tried to blush, and
tlariilly succeeded. Time was then called,
and the fen ale boxers shook hands, Miss iIar-
land did not know What to 10 with her hands,
hut kept her head well back ont of the way.
Miss Saunders had u fair idea of attack and
defense, but could not carry it into practice
After some preliminary SOARING. Saunders
managed to hit Ilaf!anh fair in the face. Miss
Iiarland endeavorcd TO get square and was
again worsted. bnt finally succeeded in disar-
ranging Saunders back hair by i vicious blow
from the slloHltler. Both women then smiled.
and the Jesuit OF the first round was annOun-
land, 4. The second round was in the main a
repetition of the first, Miss Saunders hitting
eat from the shoulder. while Miss Harand
swung her hands around in the air. Score
Saunders, IA points; Harland, 10. The third
round was OF IA somewhat different character.
Miss Harland seeing that she was overnatched
in science presumed OH her superior strength,
and ''sailed i'll" for punishment. The eXclang-
IS We're lively and hard. The result of this
round was announced as 30 all. The wind-up
was of ii similar character. and Prof. Clarke,
on being asked for his decision, said that I'M
der other circumstances he would have decar
ed the mai CHI a draw, but that Miss Saunders
was the winner by point, and she according
~ received the prize and the applause of the
audience. Some gentleman handed Miss Har-
land ten dollar bill, and the two female box
ers left the stage arm in arm. A cle7er set-to
between Pete Crokerand Billy Madden brought
the Pc Torrance to a close.