St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-18
A FIGHT IN THE AIR.

A Desperate Battle on Top of a
Pile Driver Between Two Wharf
Rats"
Rival gangs of wharf rats in San Fran
cisco determined to settle their differ
ences by battle between the leaders,
Mike O'DOnnell and Billy Cassidy, but
the fight, which was according to Mar
Quis of Queensberry rules, did not end
satisfactorily, says the Alta California.
The leading spirits of each party put
their heads together and at last de-
cided on brilliant scheme. Lying at
the bulk head, between Pacific and
Jackson street wharveS, is a large pile
driver. Its top is fully fifty feet above
the Scow on which it is erected. 1t was
decided that each boy should start at
opposite sides of the pile driver and
climb up to the top. The one that got
up first would be declared the best man,
and the schism would thus be healed.
The two factions assembled at the
bulkhead with their respective leaders,
who were quite ready for action. Billy
Cassidy stood at the north side of the
pile-driver and Mike O'Donnell at the
south side. One of the rats was made
timekeeper and another referee. At the
signal both boys started to climb. The
yellS and shouts of the crowd attracted
numbers of prOmenaderS and lOungers,
and before half the distance to the top
had been accomplished nearly 800 peO-
pie were gathered on the bulkhead and
WharveS.
The two boys went up like cats, until at
last the top of their heads were level
with the top of the pile driver. The
excitement among the crowd below was
so intense that the utmost silence pre-
vailed. Together the boys drew them
selves on to the top. Together they
stood erect. Itwas quite evident to the
watchers below that the two boys were
now very excited. They were trembling
and glared fiercely at each other.
Suddenly, without word of warm
ing, they were locked in death
struggle. They swayed to and fro on
their narrow footing. Mike O'DOnnell
was forced on his knees once, but he
recovered with mighty effort, and both
leaned so far over the top that the spec
tatorS shouted with fear, persuaded the
on the bulkhead below. They recov-
cred, however, stood erect and notion
less for moment, and then both made
supreme effort. Billy Cassidy missed
his footing, but held on to Mike O'Don-
nell. and both fell headlong fifty feet
into the bay.
When boatman pushed off from the
wharf he found two senseless forms
locked together, just rising to the sur
face. He pulled them on board and
brought them ashore. They were taken
to neighbOring saloon, but it was q
full hour before they recovered Suffi-
GENTLY to walk home.
Several ladies tainted when they
saw the two boys fall from the
great height. After the little bull
dogs were rescued the spectators dis
persed. So did the wharf rats,
with the feeling depressing them
that the matter is not yet set
tied, and that until the schism is
healed many bloody fights will take
place. The leaders, however, shook
hands when they regained conscious.
ness, and said it was probable that the
South Endians and North Endians would
be united in the near future.
When asked by an Alta reporter what
had induced them to fight on the top of
the driver, Mike said he didn't know.
He supposed they were overcome with
excitement and were not masters Of
themselves. All that he could remem-
Der was that he felt an intense desire to
prove the victor or die.
Cassidy said the same thing, adding,
however, that he never would fight
again, if he could help it.