Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-03-22
The PRIZE FIGHT
In which the wheeling Boy was
~ Whipped. = ,.ns
A Fight That was Nearly a Jim Dandy
The Seventy-two Rounds-The
Police Win the Final
Round.

source of comment about the city yester-
day. The other msn was Tom Conner,
puddler, and the Dispatch says the fight
was dandy, but wound up with q raid by
fourteen East End police, who succeeded
in arrestipg one of the principals and sew.
eral spectators. The men came together
for q valuable silver pitcher, presented by
acmirers OF the manly art, and the match
was the result of generous rivalry that
had existed for many months. An attempt
Was made 10 keep the affair quiet, bat dur
ing the afternoon il leaked out, and by
niehtfall numerous carriages might have
been seen rolling eastward toward the spot
selected for the final argument. In addi-
ton to this number OF spectators numer.
Gus and mixed crowd from all parts OF the
city gathered outside the barn, eager to
gain admission. 1t woulds be safe to say
that at $50 o'clock fully one hundred aud
fifty people were in the bulldog, and as
MANY n ore clinging to the wlndow-sills
and indu ging in other schemes to get q
sight OF the promised encounter.
SKETCH OF THE MEN.
Davis is 81 years old, and tippsd the
beam at l37 pounds. He was in tile trim
AMI looked the picture of vigor. He stands
five feet seven and a half inches high.
CCnnor is 20. He stripped at l42 pounds,
and stands five feet six inches. The ring
consisted of floor covered several inches
deep with sawdust, and encircled by two
heavy ropes. At 8 o'clock the master OF
ceremonies stepped FROM the crowd, which
vas made up of many prominent business
men and well.known gentlemen OF the city,
ard announced Mr.. Leopold Mccarthy as
referee. Mr.. Mccarthy stated the condi.
items and circumstances OF the match.
He assured the company that everything
would have to be conducted fairly, Lon
don prize ring rules to govern. Come
Oh, me boys" shouted the master
of ceremonies, and Davis stepped lightly
from an adjoining harness room, closely
followed by Copnor, Both were stripped
10 the waist, wea ing moth ng bat white
knee breeches, white stockings and light
shoes. ConDUr's waist was encircled with
a bright blue belt, the only distinguishing
mark between the apparel of each. Qulte
ditFererc e of opinion existed as to the re-
steCtive abilities of the two, bat Connor'
seemed to have a shade the best OF it with
the guessers. Mccarthy called time, the
men cane TO the front, shook hands and
proceeded to insugurate the ball.
They spared warily for Is seconds, as il
to get their correct bearings, and then
moved into closer quarters, when num-
Der Of heavy body blows were exchanged,
when Davis found an opening aud planted
a good one on Connors mouth and nose.
Tie latter rallied like tom cat, drove
Davis 10 the ropes aud knocked him back.
ward through the same with sumner un-
der the jaw.
iiCtr came up smiling for the second
round lull OF fight, anu apparently anxious
for uus ness. Davis rather forced the fight
irc, al some sounding body blows were
eX hsrged. Common rallied again and lsh'
ed nj Davis like tiger, driving him back
csught his opponent on the left eye with
swinging blow and sent him to the tanbark.
While Davis was falling he struck him
sgsiu, and the formers second claimed
fUS, but the referee disallowed the same,
not, however, until after considerable talk
had been INDUCED in. Heavy fighting was
the order OF events for the next six rounds,
with Connor's star slightly in the as
c,ndant, in consequence of which
The latter's friends were exceedingly jubi-
liant.
DAVIS MAKES POINT.
Davis made his first point in the eleventh
round when the men ClinChed after long
argument, and Common was thrown heavily.
TIE thirteenth round proved to be one OF
the hardest OF the evening. Both came up
with confidence, and some terrific fighting
ensued at close range. Davis was doing
magnificent work, amid the boisterOus en-.
couragement OF his friends, when Connor
clinched him. A hard scuileall over the ring
ensued when Davis broke away aud more
heavy slugging ensued. Finally Conner got
in a straight arm shot which sent Davis
Spawning on his back once more. The
crowd cheered Justify, and such little OBJ.
seryatiODs as You're good 'un, Conner,
old boy" That's the dandy keep IL
up" &c, assembled from bsrreltop aad
stable. When time was called for the
sixteenth round Davis came up cautiously
ard trfle bowed, while Connor looked
as strong and neTyy as panther. He
forced the fighting, and ended the round
by planting d red-hot one on Davis nose
with his right. He followed his advsn-
tage with the left, and Davis, turning, fell
face downward through the ropes.
By a sorry circumstance be struck his
left cheek bone and eye on the sharp slaves
of a barrel, removing section oil SKIN ana
badly discOloripg the member. From this 10
the 18th round Davis fought rather shy ana
but little heavy work was INDUCED in. Nc.
Csrrhy called time for the 2Sth round when
col trary 10 expectation, Davis came up
strong and steady aud hot encounter
followed. As windup Common forced
DhN is to his corner by superior force, aud
again knocked him face foremost through
The ropes, Davis striking face foremost
cps INST the side of the building, which COZ
tact did not tend to improve his appear
sn'e. Common did the heft OF the fighting
from this point to the tiftieth round, w1en
Davis face presented Q sorry appearance
Both OF bis eyes were draped in helvy
mourning, his nose red and swollen, aud
mis- chest raw IS a beefsteak. Conner had
f. W slight discolorations about the face.
bu' nothing in comparison TO his o2po
ne, I, while he seemed as fresh as daisy.
but Davis was very weak and tired.
The latter now began to make vigorous
use of tactics to avoid punishment by fall
ipg down at the first exchange OF blows.
That Connor had him whipped was GER
tsinty, but he stayed up as game as a hor
net and was carried to his corner several
times from this on to the close. The sew
enty second round ended in q clever knock
down for COnnor. Davis was conveyed to
bis chair and the usual wait ensued. Nc
Carthy called time and Conner moved to
the centre, but Davis was done for and in
formed the referee OF this fact and he 10
turn awarded the trophy and contest to
Copnor.
THE POLICE APPEAR.
Hand shakings followed and the crowd
broke into the ring to congratulate the
winner. The principals retired 10 the mar,
ness-Ioom for repairs, the spectators rubbed
their hands with delight and buttoning
their overcoats pursuant to departing,
when a change came DER the spirit OF the
dream. Some one knocked Justify at
the front door and demanded admission.
The proprietor OF the place informed
the visitors that the barn was his and the
inst man who attempted to enter would
miss ire top Of his head. Not thought
of police had thus far disturbed the
pls asures Of the occasion. But then some
tbcuehtless citizen opened rear door and
perfect storm Of blne coats followed. The
frbt OF the children OF Israel from Egypt
wss es nsught compared to the stampede
that followed. Men were rushine pell NEIL
everywhere. The police swooped down on
The dressing room and dragged Davis in an
easy victim, but Conner succeeded in find
e - ssssEss = - >. = -