Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1876-09-27
RED HANbED MIKE.


Office was visited by Rel Handed
Mike, alias NJ. C. O'Connor, who de-
sired To- say few words 10 the re-
porter in explanation of his affair
with Gavin on Sunday. Mike is Il
pleasant sprt of m,n, vino would
never I've taken for prize fighter.
His features bear no marks Of hard
usage in the ring, and he looks like
quiet person of steady habits. He
said to the reporter that the item in
the last issue of THE TIMES about
him was not altogether, correct, and
that he wished, for the sake of his
reputation, that he could be placed
Alright before the people. He had
not had any fight with any one lately
or been hit by any one except in
friendly spar with the 81 ives on. He
did not come down to Silver City to
quarrel, and so far as fighting was
concerned. it was his profession, and
| it was his last thouaht to attempt to
distinguish himself in an obscure
bar-room. On Sunday he was drawn
into little friendly sparring, and
had no though. of an unfriendly out
come. So far as Gavin being match
| for him was concerned, he regarded
| the idea ms too ridiculous to he enter
| tiined for a moment When Gavin
threatened to shoot, he told him that
| he was in that line of business too.
He never liked t. talk about shooting
| or even to think about it unless in an
extreme case, and he was sorry that
| it was mentioned on that occasion.
He had come here to fight for money
with reputcd lighters, an he had
hackers who would see INN sup
ported with all the requisite coin.
Gavin he regard Il as quite too in
| significant, il . pugilistic point of
view, to requi.c any serious atten-
| ton from him. He would ike, how
! ever, for IA proper impressi III to 60
| out in relation Ia the affair of Sun
day.
Mr.. Gavin. hearing that Mike had
deiicd the report published in The
TIMES o. Monday, speedily repaired
to this office. He entered but mo-
ment after the Red Handed departed.
Had they met in the office, an ami
cable settlement of differences, with
the aid of the reporter as peace
maker, might have ensued. Also
| there might have ensued sparring
match without gloves and in awful
earnest or a shooting match with re-
clprocal targets. 1t is frighttul to
think of these contingencies and the
narrow escape from them, us in either
case what would have become OF the
reporter and all the books and files
aud other mussy furniture of thu edl-
torial rooml Mr.. Gavin, after some
circumlocutory remarks about his
accurate aim, determination of pur-
pnse aud intrinsic worth in u rough
and tumble fight, presented the fol-
lowing communication:
MR. GAvIN's EXPLANATION.
EDITOR TINES IL am informed
that Red Handed Mike has been
talking on the street anout that tussle
that l had with him ON Sunday aud
saying that my statement OF it was
incorrect desire tn SAY that what
appeared in The TINES was suhstan-
TALLY true, and that l consider my
self as good man as Mike is in
rough and tumble fight any time.
On the OCCASION spoken Of l told
Mike that was not in condition to
receive any hits from the shoulder,
and requested him to strike only
from the elbow. 1t was with this
understan ing that put on the
gloves with him. When he began to
get warm aud struck too hard told
him to desist, and threw off the
gloves. He hit me twice after | had
my gloves off. and l told HIM il he
did not cease that would shoot him.
Then we clinched and fell. do not
consider that had the best OF the
fall, nor do l think that he did. 1t
was about stand Oft. have moth
ing against Red-Handed Mike. and
do not want to breed difficulty with
him. will persist in thinking.
however, that am as good man AS
he is in u rough and tumble.
TON GAVIN.
Silver City, Sept. a5.