The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-10-10
THE BATEs.RooNEY FIGHT.
Full Details of the Fight at Burlings
ton on Wednesday.

Yesterday morning The MINER published
an article concerning a prize fight which &C.
CURED last Wednesday,, between Matt
Rooney and a man named Bates. The
facts as published were received from what
was believed to be reliable sources. Several
persons who witnessed the contest, were
interviewed by our reporter and they pos
lively refused TO impart any information
concerning the matter. Hence some errors
appeared in the report. Yesterday, how
ever, after reading our account OF the fight,
the participants regretted their refusal to
have the facts published, and some ofthose
present gave the following particulars OF
the fight. 1t seems that Bates and Rooney
were in a saloon on Park street last Tuesday
night " hen a discussion arose concerning the
fighting qualities OF the pair. Not wishing
to disturb the peace or risk the interference
OF the police, it was agreed that the two
men, with a certain number OF friends,
should repair to some retired place in the
country n fight it out to a finish.
Accordingly, on Wednesday afternoon
the two pugilists, with their respective Sec
onds and friends. repaired to a spot in
Browns Gulch, about one mile west of Bur-
~lington, and preliminaries were arranged us
follows: A twenty-four-foot ring was
marked by stalking a rope around and the
attendants OF the two prize fighters were as
" MULE 1IdCy BcCOuuCu ILOOHHV.
while Tom Manning seconded Bates. Billy
Harris was selected by both parties as ref
cree while Evan Morgan acted as time
keeper. The fight was with four ounce
gloves.
THE TWO MEN.
Rooney has considerable OF a reputation
as a fighter, having figured in several hard
fights. If properly trained he is said to be
more than a match for Bates, but on We'd
nesday he was not in a fit condition for a
fight, being burdened with several pounds
OF s~dperf1uous flesh, in the language OF one
OF the spectators: che was no more fit for
a fight than q fat hog would be for a foot
Rooney went into the ring weighing
about & pounds.
Bates has little reputation as a fighter,
but is a plucky little fellow md it is ex-
pected that he will 500 challenge any man
in America, outside of j. l.. Sullivan and
little Billy Mack. Bates vent into the ring
tipping the beam at $50 pounds. 1t was
late IN the afternoon when time was called
for
THE FIRST ROUND.
The two men approached zach other in
the usua! cautious manner" When they
got within arms length of each other the
Old bitter feeling seemed to spur them on to
n blows were showered upon each
other as quick as lightning. The first blood
and knOck-down was awarded to Bates.
When Rooney got to his feet after the first
knock-down, the men went at it again, and
some pretty good fighting was seen. This
closed with three knock-downs for
Bates, who appeared to be as fresh as
when the fight commenced. Rooney WAS
unwflded and was putting like a
bellows.
THE SECOND ROUND
was a oue-sided affair from the start, Bates
it entirely his own way. Rooney
was knocked down five times in succession.
The fifth time he struck mother earth II
seemed as though he would never is .~:i*,;:..
but before the time expired he struggled to
MS feet and wandered aimlessly in the di-
cection OF Bates mau!ers when a terrific I
from that gentleman struck
the helpless Rooney under the cheek and he
ay like one dead. This closed the fight
md the referee, Of course, decided IN favor
II Bates. The fight was for blood and was |
very brutal one.