The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-24
Mike Gillespie, Of Philadelphia, VS..
"Fiddler'' Neary, Of New York.
GILLESPIE THE WINNER.
Twenty-One Rounds in
Nineteen Minutes.

EDGE MOOR, near WILMINGTON, Del, |
August % 1874

more and Washington Railroad, and bordering the
banks of the Delaware River, Nike Gillespie OF PhiIa
delphia, and Martin (aias Fiddler Ncary, OF New
York, met in the prize ring this morning, and fought
at catch weights Tor $780, 1t resulted in favor OF Gill
lespe. who whipped the boasting Ncary badly In
twentyone rounds, occupying nineteen minutes, that
his nearest relatives would have recognized him.
1t was Gillespies first fight and he has made a
among his pugilistc brethren that few novces
reached.
During the past three weeks or more this match
the subject of much comment among the sporting
fraternity OF Philadelphia, and considerable money
was posted on the result Like many OF tho important
that have been arranged and brilliantly
carried the Centennial City 1t originated in the
saloon OF Johnny Clark, who is ready by word or
money to and the good of sport Gillespie and
Ncary met there incidentally the evening that
tho proposition for fight made and
ccptcd, and talking Of their merits they at
planked down the first Deposit the money being
found by friends Then there hitch trouble,
delay. The Fddlers' experience in the ring,
though unpleasant considered OF TO
him. He badly whipped two years at Cooks
Sunnyside Hotel, Flushing, Long Island, by Pete
Croker, yet many argued that he must have improved
but the sequel tells different story. The fraternity
conJectured that Gillespie would have easy task be.
fore him. but none dreamed that he could
a
berry jam. Thorough the part Of Gillespie
fitted him finely for the struggle. He was patient
doce obedient during the eyentul period that Sam
Collyer had him under strict discipline. Neary,
the contrary, confident, and he expressed
it, 'I've got puddin and I'll slaughter him without
trouble exercised but little of that prudence which
FITS fighter for a long and tearing battle. Patsy
O'Hara brought him into tho ring toerabe nx yet
sufficient for the OCCASION
''PhadeIph is dar.n place to get or scrap"
said OF the squareointed roughs of the gathered
Corinthians at midnight "Thcy is Christians here
they is, ana blast my soul ii they knock the ead OF
yer for henjoyng yersclf in way that can't hurt
body heven han hunborn child, the cops do in
York" And Philadelphia is certainly ''darlin'"
place 10 successfully start prize fight. Nowhere in
the world Is their better management and nowhere
that heard Of are the authorities thoroughly
hoodwinked ''We gives 'sm the double we does on
the day." explained lighting friend with shoulders
like the stern of yacht, ~ "and puts it day
ahead just hevade the authorities perhaps they may
thinks Of 'untn' US up omorrow night but then hit
will hall DO hover and the deep planning pugilist
doubled himself with laughter as he thought of the
possible chagrn ofthe police OF tho City OF Broihcry
when they learn that the battle took place to-day
instead of tomorrow. originally set. Thus the 'tip
given to few, and some who plankcd their s. for
the excursion down the Delaware" left in
the cold and they wishing the managers Of tho
fight somewhere else than in Niagara Saratoga.
Several embarked the stanch tug Rebecca, at tho
of Readc street, midnight; while others left
the arstocrntic Continental and, after much wandering
through dark Streets found themselves the ferry
boat running to Kaue's Point The writer among
tho number Landing Oh the dark and noisomc street
on the Jersey side Of the river found others
ing the end, but none were clamorous. Going up
the street and turning hither and thither between
piles OF lumber to neighboring dock the crowd, still
as death, awaited the boat that to take them 10
their destination 1t long wait, but when she
had been given up by the hacker Of Neary and many
OF the pgR(ane were letting loose their walls Of
wrath, her gb1 were seen, AM soon she was at the
wharf, guards deep in the with the pressure OF
the human beings thrstng to see a Fight
Not sufficient room being the tug open canal
boat, clumsy ami heavy as Dutch galIiot found
tho wharf ud made las; the tug being Impressed
into the service for the time being "Well bring yer
old back, shouted the veteran boxer to her cap
TAIN but in less time than takes to write II ,he tug
and canal boat the stream and their way
1t was half hour after dnight Tho city and its
lights but slowly receded, the tide unavorabc.
few of tho holder jumped from the numbering scow
10 the tug but driven back and for moment 1t
looked If tho clear night that hung its
folds over the Delaware would be made hideous
and the deep-chested iniruders kept the
II was poor place to stay for four five hours six
inches one way the other one would go tho
river down her deep hold. Out in the dark waters
and ones chances Of being picked up we're slim Down
hold and bruised bodies broken skulls would
suit just 80 on the tug There room OF any
consequence, and the boys refraining skya.kng
and sparrng, settled down to commendable dccency.
There bar, but pocket TASKS innumerabe,
though, be it said to the credit of ALL not drunken
man was on the boat or around the ring. Most every
body had money and had liquid poison been dealt out to
all who wanted the nery stuff the consequences might
have been dreadful About three o'clock tho leaders
stretched prone upon the upper deck OF the tug
or on the stern OF the scow. They lay like logs tum-
bled promiscuousiy together, and than one snor
ing boxer could be heard above tho puff puff of the
high pressure engine. All this while the lighters
asleep the tug and watched by their trainers
The large hearted captain of the Rcbccca had coffee
made near morning aud given many Of the gang Sand
wches also distributed, and empty stomachs
filled and much growing thereby stopped. Down the
yet two hours the Rebccca slowly made her
way and astcrn of her tugs carrying select
parties Of politicians and arsocrats the Of the
contest Half past four O'Clock the breaking morning
aroused the slumbercrs Tho principals also
awakened, and animation and excitement took the
place OF the comparative stiffness Of the hour before
At nve O'CLOCK me unge oil the eDginccrs bell told the
story Of stop The shore at hand, and a
landing soon made at stone dock IN good repair
Inquiries ertancd that IT was Dupons Dock where
ali tho powder made In his mills, .uiic two away,
shipped. Wilmington is but five miles of and the
railroad not n quarter OF mile back from the
AT the head of the dock are Two moderate
sized IRON storage buildings set high stone
foundations, and back OF them, oDscuring the
OF the railroad tracks, is beld OF waving corn
The picture was not without its effect Along the solid
dock irsmpcd The crowd, and OF them stawart and
deepchcsted lads discussed the probability OF inter
ruption. "Ycr get the collar every 6amn man here;
they II send company OF soldiers ard snake us back
better go somewhere else, SAID one. III yer wants
back Others Aud so tho rug pitched the
green sward between the two powder houses The
regular ropes and stakes forgotten but new sticks
werr cut and of the tugs smaller lines did scrv
TO enclose the ring IL was single one, and Just
.lAnrol IN nd