Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-21
THE PRIZE-RING.
Spirited Contest Bet,ceen Jac1; Gallagher
and NeiU O'Brien--A Forty-scven Hin
ates Fight Declared a Dra,c.
New York Herald, Jan. Is.

s33euIlemeu ulaue up PURSE VI ~'o W Do
given to the man who fought down his an
tagonist according to. the Marquis of Qneens-
bury's rules,-three minutes time for round,
one minute rest between the rounds. The
contestants were Jack Gallagher, of New
York, and Neill O'Brien. The former weigh
ed 1877 pounds, was five feet six and three
quarter inches high, and "a years old. O.
Brien was five feet seven and quarter in
ches high, weighed 1853 pounds, and is 81
years of age. They had been in sequester-
ed spot, out of police circles, preparing for
this event. few gentlemen only were al
lowed to witness it, and, as the men are
somewhat we'll known in public circles,
great deal was expected of them.
The place in which they were to fight was
prepared for them by persons who were equal
to the requirements of the case. The ropes
we're stretched by tackles from each angle of
the room in such a manner as to leave a
twenty-four foot ring, with spaces outside for
spectators. Twenty-four lanterns were fixed
against the walls, which were padded to pre-
vent the men from hurting themselves
should they be thrown over. At the house
no one would ever have thought that con-
test was anticipated, but about half-past eight
o'clock a few wagons and traps drove up,
bringing few of the best-known sporting
men in both cities to the rendezvous. They
had supper after visiting the pugilists in their
quarters and seeing that they were all right.
About 8 o'clock they went to the room, and
shortly after the men appeared.
At this time Gallagher and O'Brien, in ring
costumes, drawers, boots and sashes, ap-
peared. They were accompanied by their
seconds-for Gallagher, Mike Welsh and
Dave Hunter; for O'Brien, Frank Bell and
Larry Ryan. Gallagher stepped into the
| ring first and sat down in his corner. O'Bri-
en- followed him Immediately. There was
some discussion as to who should be referee,
which was finally settled by Edward Hanly
being chosen. At this time there were not
more than twenty persons outside of the
ropes as spectators, and among them were
some dignitaries of the bar. The referee
called time at three minutes past 8. The
their gloves, which were of the very highest
and hardest kind, and began to spar.
Round 1.-Gallagher felt with his left for
an opening, was stopped, and tried again and
was stopped, O'Brien cross countering a little
short Gallagher wouldn't be denied, and
reached out his left again and touched
! O'Brien's chin; the latter countered with his
right, ineffectively, however, and then the
men came together wrestling, and wound up
the round without advantage to either.
Round 2.-At the call of time O'Brien was
| first at the scratch, evidently anxious to force
the fighting if possible, being the much
heavier man. Gallagher was cautious, and
retreated all round the ring on the defensive.
At last O'Brien struck out with his left and
right in quick succession, but, slipping on the
boards, laid him open for vicious upper cut
which Gallagher delivered, who, slipping
also, did not make it effective. Both men
were virtually on the floor this time, one on
his face, the other on his side, but time not
being up for the round, they were brought
together again by the referee. The last
! forty seconds was spent in useless sparring
| for advantage, and both were sent to their
| corners.
Round 3.-When time was called, the men
came up little flushed by their former
efforts, and, without any attempt ut science,
went at each other in dingdong fashion.
Gallagher was driven to his corner, and in
turn O'Brien to his; neither struck at the
| head; body blows we're so often essayed that
the referee cautioned the men not to strike
too low. This round wound up by both
falling over the ropes
Round An this round there was simply
a display of men who were afraid of each
other trying to find an opening for an as
sault Time was wasted in useless sparring
i Round 5.-O'Brien took the initiative on
the advice of his seconds, and tried to force
the fighting, driving Gallagher about the
ring in the most extraordinary fashion. One
or two blows we're delivered by the latter
which though useless. caused the referee tc
continue his caution not to strike below the
belt. There was pause for g moment, the
referee telling them to go on. The mer
then simply Rugged each other and fell in
Gallaghr's corner.
Rounds 6, u, s and were fought in this
outlandish fashion, the seconds seeming tc
be of no use, so that suggestions were made
that the referee, who was better posted on
pugilistic matters, should second Gallagher
and George Mccarthy of equal renown
should second O'Brien, and Mike Brennan
of the Seventh Ward, should be referee
These changes were made, and the men went
to their corners.
Round 1O.-Tme was called, and the men
faced each other with more spirit, at leas,
both were perspiring profusely and Gallagher
was somewhat groggy. On the advice OF
their seconds, they came together with more
vigor than heretofore. O'Brien led with his
left, was stopped, tried again, and was cross
countered by Gallagher and sent staggering
over the ring. Before he could recover him.
self, the latter struck him a wicked left-han.
ded blow, which laid him upon the floor, an6
the time having expired for the round, il
terminated in Gallagher's favor.
Round 11.-This round was also in Gala
gher's favor for forcing the fighting. He
threw OBrien over the ropes and fell upon
him. The men we're taken to their corners
Round 12.-O'Brien came up very mucr
fatigued by the work of the former round
His second urged him to force the fighting
believing that, as he was the heavier man, he
could worry his opponent down. The con
test was close here. O'Brien's weight did
not tell against Gallagher, who pluckily met
his man at every point, counter, and cross
counter, and altogether might be said to have
the best of this bout.
! Ronnd 80 Gallagher, who before the call
of time vomited in his corner, was somewhat
slow to respond to the referees call. O'Brien
came up in dazed sort of fashion, his face
showing that he had not got scot free from
his antagonist. This was very short round
the men falling side by side in Gallagher's
corner.
Rounds IA. Is, 16 and II were equally
short. Gallagher was still sick at the stom-
ach, and O'Brien was very weak. Neither
had lost any blood worth speaking Of
Though Gallagher had won first blood it was
not claimed or allowed. When they came
together they fell side by side, and were car
RED to their corners in very poor condition
1t is evident that they had not been trained
at all.
Round 18.-The referee cautioned the men
that they had not been fighting squarely that
many blows had been struck below the belt
and if it were repeated in this round he
would award, the fight to the man hit. Gal.
lagher and O'Brien came together again, and
as it was evident that both were beaten, with.