The Morning herald., 1876-03-23
ONE CENT.
TaE PRIZE RING,


A Brutal Fight Near Nevark LasslMS
Orc Hour and a half. Eighty Rounds
Fow0ht---Lost BY a Fowl---A La,ps At.
tendance Of Spectators.
It has been known for some time past
that prize fight, arranged between Mike
Cleary, = pugilistic blacksmith Of Phila-
dslphia and James Weeden, a mechanic of
the same city, would come of at some
point within hundred miles of Philadel-
phia for $3.50 aside; 1t had been rumored
here Tuesday night, that the fight was to
occur in this city, and q police force was at
the depot nearly all night to see that the
party did not disturb the peace of the city,
If they alighted here. They failed to pat In
an appearance at that time, but yesterday
morning large detachment Of the sporting
fraternity ofthat city and New York, passed
through this city on their way to Newark,
near where the fight was to occur. Their
appearance upon the train caused some ex-
element in Wilmington, and large num-
ber from this city took passage for Newark.
In the crowded train were Johnnie Ahern,
Arthur Chambers, John Clark, Sam Rose,
Frank McMakin, Frank Gormly, Sam Coll
yer, Mike Donovan, Henry Hicken, Alex.
McLaine, and John Douglas, of Philadel-
phia; the principals, Mike Cleary, aged 20
years, and weighing 147 pounds, and James
Weeden, young Englishman, 81 years Of
age, and Weighing 1M younds, and large
number of less distinguished sporting char
acters from both New York and Philadel-
phia. The entire party numbered about
three hundred, including those who went
from this city.
The party upon arriving at Newark, at
11:3O A. M, went Immediately to the Deer
Park Hotel, where the preliminaries were
arranged. Henry Hicken and Arthur
Chambers were selected by Weeden as sec
onds and Sam Collyer and Mike Donovan, by
Cleary, for the same purpose. John Doug
lass was selected after some discussion as
referee.
The party, augmented by stragglers from
all parts of the surrounding country to the
number of probably three hundred, pro-
eeeded to the point where the States of
Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania
meet, when the ring was formed, and after
the winning of position by Clearey, the
fight began, to the delight Of the specta-
tors.
''It was the hardest and most brutal
fight I ever Witnessed, said prominent
sporting man to a HERALD representative.
The first round was short but sharp,
Weeden going on his knees by stunning
blow on the chest, and in the second moth
ing of Importance occurred, both men get
ting in good blows. Both men stood well
up in the third round, and little sparring
occurred, when Cleary drew first blood by
smart left-hander full upon Weeden's
nose, but he paid well for the honor, for
n h
right handed blow straight from
the shoulder, which felled him
like an OK. The fight continued for one
hour, during which it was eviddht that
Weeden had the best of it, having punished
fifth round, when Cleary got second wind,
he began steadily to gain upon the endur-
apce of Weeden, and when an hour and
thirty-fve minutes had elapsed and seven
ty-fve rounds had been fought he waa
| nearly used up. The eightieth round open
| ed with both men up to time, and each got
| in several blows, when Weeden clinched
| and after short struggle got Cleary down
on his knees and struck him. This was the
fourth foul strike for Wceden, and the
second of Clary claimed it as such, which
being allowed by the referee concluded the
fight, which had lasted exactly an hour
and forty mindtes, and was one of the most
obstinately contested on record. There ap-
pears to have been but little dispute
over the decision of the referee.
i although the hackers of Weldon are not
| entirely satisfied. The stakes are in the
! hands of Col. Fitzgerald, of the Philadel-
phia city Item, who is final stake holder.
There was no attempt on the part of any
one to interfere with the fight. Tho au-
| thorities received information of the event
too late to he of any service, and the fight
was conducted quietly and without any yun-
usual incident. The party took the after
noon through expresss.to Philadelphia from
this city.
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