The Indianapolis journal., 1885-12-29
THE BURKE-CLEARY FIGHT.
Speedy Termination Of the Most Exciting
Contest Ever Witnessed in Chicago.
The Fight Ended in the Third Round by q
Terrific Blow Which Laid the New York
Bruiser SenseleSs on the Floor.

CHICAGO, Dec 28.-Probably the most excit-
ing glove contest ever witnessed in Chicago oc-
Cured here tonight, in which Jack Burke, OF
Chicago, in three rounds, knocked out Mike
Cleary, of New York. AS early as o'clock to-
, night the atmosphere of Battery D Armory ex-
hailed by fully 1000 pairs of lungs, reeked with
suppressed excitement and cigar smoke. Half an
hour later belated reporter lost half an hour
fighting his way through the mob that packed
the building to its utmost and ran over hun
dred or two into the street A more than usur
ious percentage of the crowd were enthusiastic
admirers of Burke the Irish lad. and they were
awaiting with bated breath the sublime moment
when he should 'knock out" the New York
celebrity, Mike Cleary. Parson Davies, white
chokered and more than usually clerical in the
'cut of his jib, we'll became the Office of man
ager of the entertainment. and Jack Dempsy
all the way from New York, was present. Pat
killen.. Tom Chandler and other dignitaries
beamed unmistakabie appreciation. The pro-
gramme said Marquis of Queensbury rules:
small, soft gloves; six rounds"
Though Bill Lakeman, master of ceremonies
said the small fry of the programme would be
cot out of the way in short order it was nearly
10 o'clock when the lions of the evening made
their appearance. In the prelrnnaries Boston
who spared four rounds for points with Paddy
Carroll, of Chicago, III which neither got any
When the crowd had yelled itself hoarse at the
| announcement that Burke and Cleary were
Ceremonies cHs on @ said that William Bradbury, OF Of
the stockyards. had been agreed upon
referee. Presently the celebrities appeared
simultaneously, and everybody got up and yelled
and swung his hat Prof. Tom Chandler, Of
Boston, and Captain Dalton appeared as seconds
to Cleary while Tom Chandler, Of Chicago, and
Jack Flato performed the same service for
Burke. The time keepers were Charley Benedict
and Tom Curley. Both men were in prime con-
dition. Burke tipping the scale at 165 pounds
and Cleary at about the same At exactly 10
o'clock the men faced each other, spared an in
slant, and moment later Cleary went to grass
from q terrific back handler from Burks left,
which struck him square in the eye and brought
blood The round finished with some Intellectual
attempts on Cleary's part to get in his right on
Burke's face
The second round panned out rather favorably
for Cleary, who got in stinging hit with his
right on Burkes cheek. He tapped him gently
twice more, and the round closed with some
sparring on both sides.
When the men stood up for the third round
Burkes pink and glowing skin showed strong
Cleary's face Burkes whole aspect elo-
quent of yigor and confidence, yet Cleary looked
well his match. Early in this exciting bout
Cleary got what later proved to have been the
York man forced the fighting at first but
Burke soon crowded in on him. impetuously
forced him into his corner, hit him two ratting
blows on the face with his left, then parrying
Clearys right with his right, struck the
New Yorker heavily on the neck Cleary stag
gered and seemed daZed for moment, then re.
covered himself with an effort, and forced Burke
desperately to the opposite side of the ring. 1t
could be seen that the New Yorker was breath
ing heavily, and shook slightly with suppressed
excitement while Burke, perfectly cool and col
| lected watched calmly for his chance. 1t came.
Quick as flash his right arm shot OUT and
Cleary fell like log. The blow caught him
fairly just under and behind his left ear, and
knocked him senseless.
''My God, he's killed him." some muttered.
The huge audience was perfectly silent Burke
stepped up to his fallen adversary, and when
after he failed to move for few seconds, but
| lay stretched at full length on his back the
tender hearted Irishman stopped over and shook
him gently, his face exhibiting genuine alarm.
A little later Cleary's PROSTATE form showed
signs of life, and the crowd arose with wild
cries of Burke, Burke" 1t seemed as though
the platform would be torn in pieces
when the champion climbed over the ropes
and walked jauntiy to his dressing-room every
whit steady when he came out. Clearys
seconds picked him up and helped him to his
dressing room where he revived in few min
ntes. Since Burke went to California, after his
setto with Sullivan, he has cultivated the often
sive use of his right hand. which is believed by
many to be the secret of his remarkable success
tonight