The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-01-17
coBURN MEETS SULLIVAN.
, brilliant Display of Science In Madison
Square Garden.

The Slalll ping VI ten IIOuSanQ 1eet in
Madison Square Garden sounded like
the roaring of the ocean surf in a storm
az Mr.. John Lawrence Sullivan skipped
mn the steps leading to tho elevated ring
occupying the centre Of the building last
evening. The champion wore a nea
Jacket and light yellow trunks, buttoned
at the knee. He climped the ropes.
walked to his corner, and threw aside
the jacket. He was stripped to the
waist. His white skin outlined the
muscles, thews, and sinews that rave
him his strength. Admiring friends
roared with delight as he sat down and
rested his brawny arms on the ropes.
Ten seconds later the shining pate of Mr..
Joseph Coburn appeared above the edge
of the platform. He wore white
breeches, knotted at the knee with blue
ribbon. AS he threw aside his coat and
took a seat in the opposite corner, an
other wild outburst Of applause ran over
the 5000 spectators. Coburn seemed
even more h%erculean than Sullivan. 1t
was old blood and muscle as compared
with young blood and muscle. The old
champion never looked better, even
when III training for a fight.
Ten thousand eyes were riveted on the
two pugilists. The only other man on
the stage was a one-armed man. He
was grey headed, and he wore baggy
clothing. He was old Pop Whitaker,
master of ceremonies. Shambling to
the centre Of the ring, he raised his d
arm in the bright gas light and shouted
Mr.. Coburns thanks to the gentlemen
who had preceded him in the ring, and
especially to Mr.. Sullivan, who had vol
unteered to appear at his benefit. Then
in a stentorian tone Of voice Mr.. Whita-
ker roared: Now we will have a gem
tlemanly wind up. Mr.. Joe. Coburnn
waving his hand toward Mr.. Coburn,
who bowed. "Mr. John L. Sullivan
turning toward Sullivan, who also
bowed. '.Time.m
The giants arose and approached each
other as light Of foot as panthers. Their
white b~oxing-gloves, sawed the air.
They circled each other like falcons at
play. Then S%ullivan's left flew out like
a stone from a catapult. It was neatly
stopped by Joe. who stood on the defen-
sive. The falcon-like play was resumed.
Again and again Sullivan launched out
his left, and was neatly foiled. The in
terest Of the spectators was breathless.
The pugilists were smiling. Coburn
stopped Sullivan's passes SO elegantly
that one of his friends shouted, 600 in,
Joe. Go in" The hot blood mounted
s%ullivan's cheek. He stopped sparring
and turned toward the front Cf the
house. His dark eyes flashed fire.
Gentlemen said he, this is a friendly
set-to between MI: Coburn and myself.
There is to be no knocking out. Some
day possibly ! may oblige you by killing
man for you. 1t may be Mr.. Mace's
unknown and it may be some one else.u
The champion turned and again con
fronted his antagonist. The fencing
was resumed. Coburn rallie ed, and twice
tapped Sullivan on the ear with his
right. The cheering was terrific. The
old duellist had made the first hit. An
exquisite display of science followed,
Coburn stopping a score or more Of
direct passes, and old Pop Whitaker
called walk around.o
The men returned % their corners and
readjusted their gloves. They were not
IN the least blown. Abiding to Sulli-
van, a friend said: HE can't spar like
ne would spar if he was wicked. No
big man cam" At the second bout the
giants sprang for each other like old
game, cocks. For a minute they revolv-
ed like figures in a kaleidoscope. Then
sullivan bent forward and touched Co
ourn on the ribes, ducking his head as
he did so. Coburn countered on the
muscles of his back. Sullivan straight
ehed and tapped Coburo twice on the
nose. Joe crossed on his ears. Sharp
rallies, diversified with ingenious ibbing
followed. Out of the wilderness Of this
slentlf1c display Coburn laid his glove
IN the side of Sullivan's nose and kept
there for a full second. The champion
gave ground, and was followed by Joe,
VINO tapped him, in his turn, twice on
.ne proboscis. Amid lively countering,
lop lnterfered, and the men again re-
urea to their nj They were pant
lllp from 4Iasc oro4.o.,. Gx,iT.xya ~
ground his feet in the chalk under the
,ounds Of his chair, and old Pop Whita-
Aef Stuffed himself around. and used