The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-28
SHIN-KICKING.
A Peculiar Manifestation of Brutality-A
Savage Contest.
Unpublished by Request.

A Peculiar Manifestation of Brutality-A
Savage Contest.
Philadelphia Correspondence New York Mercury.
Robert McTevish, the victor in the ''pur-
ring or shin-kicking match in Camden last
March. has been perSistently challenged ever
since by George Grabby, an English miner
who was present at the conflict, and then
expressed a determination to challenge the
winner. 1t will be remembered by those who
read a description of the brutal spectacle
that the men used the regulation metal toed
Lancashire clog, and that McTevish's legs
were cut and slashed in fearful manner
while one OF his opponents legs was broken
McTevish, Welshman, and comparatively
new arrival in the country. waited long
time before paying any attention to the chal-
lenge He was so much disabled in fact
that he could barely hobbe about for at least
a month after the match. When he did get
on his feet again he expressed disinclination
to run the risk of being crippled for life a
second time, but through the kindness of
otficious friends he was induced to accept
Grabby's challenge This was in the early
part of June, and both men went into train
ing with the understanding that they were
to meet inside of twenty days.
Grabby's wife begged and pleaded with her
husband not to begin in America what had
so nearly cost him his life in England.
Partly to satisfy her, but more to prevent
her from carrying out her threat of being
present at the struggle if it occurred, the
man told her that the match was off"
This interference on the part of Mrs. Grab
by resulted in a rather unlooked-for sequel.
On Monday evening last ED
die" James and Bob johnson,
two well-known sporting characters about
town, who had been delegated to find a
suitable place for the meeting, went to Nc
Tevish's house and told him OF the location,
1 ~ a. L..
Thursday night. Then they went to hunt
up Grabby. He was hot at home, and after
vain search through McLean's,. Cleary's
and kindred places the young men decided
to leave word in note. This they did. and
ten minutes after they left Mrs Grabby
learned Just where and when her husband
would risk his precious shins On Thursday
night, about II o'clock, party of sixty or
thereabouts who had secured tickets at So
EACH started for the rendezvous. The
principals and their seconds were driven off
in carriages, and it was mutually agreed
that the kicking should begin as near
o'clock as possible.
The place selected by James and johnson
was we'll adapted for the purpose. 1t was
large room in the rear of a Port Richmond
saloon, whose proprietor would let it out as
willingly for place OF execution as for
Sunday school. provided he was paid. One
of those interested was stationed in the bar
room and another at the door leading to and
back from the room to guard against any
surprise by Mayor Kings policemen. At 1870
o'clock the men began to get ready. Each
was provided with knee breaches. under
shirts, and shoulder straps and elbow tugs
similar to those used in collar-and-elbow
wrestling This although not according to
the rules of the purring ring, was am idea OF
McTevish, and was accepted without oFposi-
tion by his opponent McTevish's clogs
were the same he had used in the great
match with Tierney in March-hob-nailed,
with pointed toes. and fastened with leath-
ern thongs. Grabbys foot gear was almost
similar, excepting that the toes of his
clogs turned up a little more and
were, if anything. a little sharper. At Nc
Teyishs request the money for which the
battle was to be fought was subscribed then
and there by the hackers and placed in the