The Dillon tribune., 1885-02-07
The 1alon Gritntf.
RING REMINISCENCE.
The eGeOghegan-Orem Prize T's"' "a A

r, c.orhe-an-Orem Prize Fight of 1868.
Owney Geoghegan, prize fighter re-
Gently passed in his checks at Hot Springs
Arkansas. The New York SIN, in pub
fishing sketch Of the dead puglllst' makes
the following reference to the Geoghesan-
Orcm prize fight which took place nearly
twenty-five years ago:
"Goeghegan was bartender at the AS.
semby Rooms, Twenty street anu
First Avenue, and later for Australian
Kelly, at Fifteenth street and First Ave
nue.. New York, in 1868 John Cond'e
Orem came on from the West. Orcm
started in Colorado, and on his way East
whipped every man who dared to oppose
him. Geoghegan challenged Orem, and
a fight was arranged to take place upon
Cheesequakes Creek, near Perth Annoy
New Jersey. The Allen managed mat
t.rs for Goeghegan. Allen says 1t was
one of the most savage affairs that eyer
happened in this country. A great crowd
gathered at the grounds at half:past five
O'Clock in the morning, and most OF them
were Geoghegap's friepds. Oren, and Al
len were driven to the ring in wagon.
When Orem appeared rush was made
for him. Geoghehan's father climbed into
wagon and gouged Orems eyes. he was
seized by some one who pulled him away.
He then caught hold of Orem's legs and
tried to pull him out of the wagon. The
crowd shouted kill him. Allen then hit
old Goeghegan, and Barney Garrity' his
nephew, clinched with him. When they
separated Garrity struck Orem in the face.
It was found that Orem's seconds had dis
appeared, and every one was afraid to VOL
unteer. Finally William Varley, better
known as 'Reddy the Blacksmith, and Kit
Burns offered to serve, although they were
both backing Goeghegan. Nick Smith
and the Clipper were seconds for Goeghe-
gan, an. Charley Moore acted as referee.
1t was quite plain that the crowd intended
70 kill Oren, but he did not finch. Orem
sprang into the ring and said:
"Gentlemen, have no chance here, but
will show you how far game man will
60 will fight no matter what happens"
"Then," The Allen said, II made up my
mind that / would not stand by and see
such game man killed. hurried down
to Perth Amboy, woke up the Mayor, and
told him they were killing man down at
the creek He had the fire bell rung, and
reused out the citizens. Fifty-two men, in
cluding myself, were sworn in as deputy
sheriffs. Word came that the fight was
over and that the crowd was coming to
Perth Amboy. The deputy sheritfs con-
cealed themselves al the foot of the bluff,
which runs down to the Staten Island fer
rv. When the crowd came down we sur
rounded them, and / pointed out thirty
four of the worst men. Bob Dunn, who
was after wards killed by Sharkey, tried to
escape, and was shot. Some of the men
Jumped into the water and tried to swim
across, and were captured by deputy sher-
ifs, who went after them in small boats.
Jim Irving climbed into rowboat along
rowing across, when revenue cutter gave
chase and caught them. The prisoners
were handcufed, and long rope was run
through the handouts in line, and in this
condition, guarded by armed deputy sher-
ifs, they were marched to Freehold. When
learned that Orcm was not killed refl-
sed to appear against the men, and they
were discharged
"The fight between Orem and Goeghc-
gan was very fierce. Orem fought with
the desperation of Il man who believed he
had no chance for his life. Geoghehan was
no match for him. Goeghegan was repeat
ly knocked down by Orem. False cries o.
'ioup were raised by Goeghegan's friends
and at first the referee refused to allow
them. \ revolver put under his nose
made him Judge differently. In the 18th
round, after twcuty- three minutes of heavy
work, he gave the fight to Goeghegan or
an alleged foul. Allen says there was NJ
foul, and that Goeghesan afterward tols
him he had claimed a foul to save Orem'
life. 1t had that effect, as Goeghegan'
friends were appeased."