The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-20
THE SULLIVAN-RYAN FIGHT.
Eight Thousand People Pay Their Money
and Witness a Very Poor Show.
Captain Williams Stops the Fight in the
First ROund-A General Impression that
Sullivan Would HaVesBeen Beaten.


New York, Jan. 19-In Madison square Gar
den, tonight, John L. Sullivan and Paddy
Ryan, oldtime antagonists, again met They
went to work in GOOD style, but were stopped by
Police captain Williams before they had had
their hands up minute Nobody was arrested,
and no decision was given There was great
crowd. Long before the doors of the
garden were opened, several thousand
persons gathered on the outside, in order to Sc
| cure places from which to witness the expected
contest A Gordon of police, under Capt. Will
liams, kept the vast crowd in order until the
gates were opened, when there was frightful
rush for the interior. The platform in the Gen.
ter of the hall the objective point of the great
| concourse, and soon the crowd was packed as
| tightly as sardines around the outer railing.
Among the sports who arrived early1 were
Harry Hill, Richard K. Fox, Dooney Harris,
Billy Edwards, Jack Dempsey, Jimmy Patter-
son, Charley Mitchell Gabe Case Johnny Muir
ply, John Stewart Pete Mccoy Mike Donavan,
the Dwyer brothers, John Condor, of Chicago,
"Parson" Davis, Colonel Timipane, of Troy, and
hosts of other admirers of the manly sport who
friends of Ryan arrived from Troy on
a special train, while fully fifty of the
fancy" came hither from Chicago TO
see the mill. AS late as 9 o'clock throng
poured steadily into the garden and it required
the utmost efforts of the police to preserve order
Outside the building the streets were lined with
men unable to obtain admission, owing to scar
city of funds, and these remained in the npping
air. bowling for their respective champions.
P. F. Sheedy, Suivan's manager, tripped
around the platform, the immense attendance,
and the consequent ''shekels." having put him
in excellent humor. Sheedy offered $1,000 to
$3.50, before the performance began, in favor of
Sullivan, ard offered to make the wager
| five times over, but no one took him up Among
the police officials the impression appeared to be
that the contest would be brought to sum-
mary close If Sullivan attempted to SLUG" Ryan.
The TroJanS friends were loud in their praises
of Ryan's splendid condition. Sheedy and the
delegation from Boston smiled and said ''wait"
At $40 P. NJ Captain Williams took a frmer
| grasp ON his club and advanced within the rail
ing surrounding the raised ring. In his wake
were several distinguished amateur sporting
men, among whom were VIM. Easton and Lord
| Chas. Berehan Clinton, of England. Rocsoe
Conkling sauntered in and was an interested
| spectator.
and visitors were still demanding admittance
large number of the boxes were filled, and
there was big demand for reserved seats. The
vast crowds standing on the floor grew impa-
tent, and there was prolonged Kissing The stage
exercises were opened by Pete Mccoy and Mike
Gillespie, who pummeled each other Wig
orously for three rounds Bob Smith acted
as master of ceremonies. Their dexterity
with the gloves had the effect of appeasing
the wrath of the crowd and restored them to
| quiet good humor for the appearance of Ameri
cas- greatest pugiists.
| After what seemed an interminable delay o
murmur of applause ran through the hall, and
John L. Sullivan jumped over the ropes, followed
| by his trainers, Tom Delay and Murphy, of
Boston. The champion looked in good
| condition, and gazed complacently over the
| great throng. When Ryan made his appearance
| he was greeted with cheers and waving of hats.
| He was attended by Jimmy Patterson and Ed
| Malahan. Bob Smith announced that John
Scannell would act as master of ceremonies, and
| Charles Johnson of Brooklyn, would keep time,
but the police dec lined to allow the latter to act
Ryan's massive proportions showed up to good
| advantage, and he was evidently favorite with
great mn..,y. Pat Sheedv announced that the
winner of the contest would receive 65 per cent.
| of the receipts and the loser 80 per- cent.
It was after 10 o'clock when Scannell shouted
| 'time, and both men advanced TO the scratch
| and shook hands, smiling grimly at each other
| at the same time In the first round Sullivan
led off with his left for Ryan's bread basket, but
the latter neatly lodged the blow. L. IN made
feint and tapped Sullivan heavily on the right
| jaw. The champion grew redder and angrer.
and Ryan, noticing this fought close to his OPP
ponent, evidently with view to prevent
Sullivan from getting in the terrific blows for
which he is celebrated. Both men fought fierce
ly at close range, showering blows thick and
fast upon each other, and the enthusiasm of the
| crowd increased with the severity of the blows,
! The pugilists had not been at work over a min
J ute when Inspector Thorne jumped over the
ropes followed by Captain Williams, and the
! two, wlth uplifted clubs, separated the combat
ants They were forced to their corners, re-
luctantly, AID Captain Williams stripped off the
gloves.
'This is no fight" shouted Sheedy, Sullivans
hacker Both boxers were hurried into the CEN
ter of the ring where they were made to shake
hands, Sullivan extending his mauler in evident
displeasure.
II would Ave won this match, said Ryan, eff
the authorities bad not interfered
This appeared to be the general impression
among those assembled, and when the Trojan
started to leave TIE platform he was Justify
cheered.
The receipts were a'Nout $11 900. and are in
Sheedys hands; he will b,a likely to retain them,
inasmuch as the contest ca, Ne to such an unsat-
isfactory termination He animated that he
had an understanding with the principals that
in the event of trouble he woult, take the pro-
ceeds, giving each man what he dee 'ned right.
Joe Coburn said he had a man whom he
would pit against the winner and said Captain
James G. DAILY was new asprant for c.%amp-
onship honors. The crowd left in fairly l'ood
humor, although many denounced the police fC>c
interfering.