The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-11
BITTER FIGHT FOR A BRIDE.
a Prize-Ring Contest Between Two
Sturdy Young HoOsier Farmers,
The Heart and Hand of Rural Belle Being
the Stake-Expectatio that the Van
Quished Will Attend the Wedding.
Gnenial 10 the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.


EVANSVILLE, July l0.-Evansville is inclined
to be somewhat of sleepy town, always taking
an interest in sporting news but not attempting
to encourage anything of that character in
her midst The news, therefore. that
q fight with bare knuckles was to
take place just beyond her borders created no
little excitement among the lovers of the manly
art and numerous were the attempts to get
pointers regarding the place of meeting; but
those initiated fought shy of giving information,
fearing police interference. But the night
owls and FOUNDERS may have been
mystifed early this morning by meeting several
couples and trios of men, scattering out First
street. en- route for Green River island where
the fight between Charles Harding and James
Townsend, to settle the right to
the hand and heart of Miss Sadie Corning,
q country belle, took place. There were per-
haps about twenty five persons in the crowd.
About a mile and half from the city the party
were joined by the principals; each
accompanied by few friends After a
count of noses to be sure that no
unlimited and unwelcome officers were present,
the party entered their 'busses, which were
in attendance, and drove rapidly up
the river. At $3.50 Green river island
was reached, and in few moments
more several skiffs were en- route
for the scene of the mill The site selected is
densely wooded, and proved an admirable place
for the sluggng match. The fight, according to
the articles of agreement, signed in this
city on Wednesday last, was for the
heart and hand of Miss Sadie Corning,
to whom both had been paying attentions, and
was to last to a finish. A twelve-foot ring was
pitched, and all preliminaries made, and at 440
the men took positions in the ring. Hank Rob
erts seconded Harding and Billy Taylor attended
to Townsend. The referee was noted local
sporting man. Harding tipped the beam at l26
pounds, while Townsend was a tride heavier.
At 4:45 time was called.
Round One-Both men came up rapidly, but
spared awkwardly and cautiously each seeming
TO dread the first blow. Finally, Harding got
in neat blow on Townsend's
ToWesspd smssp sa H9d escaped ds retq1n Rnt
fell short, and received a right handler in the
face that staggered him. He recovered rapidly
and made rush, catching Harding on the right
eye and sending the latter on the ropes. Both
men clinched, and time was called.
The second round was marked by some quick,
hard work, and half-arm fighting, in which
Townsend had decidedly the best of it. Harding
was rapidly losing his temper, aud was inclined
to try a rough and tumble bout. A series of
clutches ensued and both men went down.
Third Round-Harding was slightly groggy
and putting hard, and acted solely on the de
fensiye. Townsend fought desperately, and
caught Harding heavily on the left eye, without
q response and followed with lick on the right
optic, closing it up entirely and then, with
rush, he Knocked Harding clear across the ring.
In the fourth round Harding had recovered
himself slightly, and did some wicked work,
catching Townsend on the head and getting in
some hard and terrific blows the neck, face
and chest. The men clinched and were ordered
to their corners
When the fifth round began it was uncertain
who would win, though Townsend was the
favorite. Harding opened by terrific drive in
Towrsends face, following it up with upper
cut, catching him under the chin and sending
him to the ropes.
The sixth and seventh rounds were but repe-
titions Of the hot and heavy work of the previous
rounds, Harding seeming to get stronger as
the fight proceeded, and striking some
wicked and terrible blows. Townsends face
began TO look Smashed" out of all semblance to
human countenance, and when tho eighth
ner unsteadily and struck blindly and wildly. In
the entire round he failed to reach Harding
who however, forced the fighting
and got in a quick, hard blow on Townsends
neck, Telling him like an OK and ending the fight
1t was fully half an hour before the van
quished man could be taken from the
grounds. Both men were badly punished,
and were anything but beauties to look upon.
The party returned TO the city about z o'clock, in
the same manner in which they left it, Hard
ing and Townsend going to their farms
with their friends to doctor up. Harding
says that as soon as nc can see out of his right
eye he will claim his bonny bride so bravely won,
and thinks Townsend will consent to be his best
man. And Evansville, having had a taste of the
manly art how howls for moro.