Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-23

There was something like an old-time
| prize fight several miles down the Panhandle
Railroad early yesterday morning. The
principals were Billy Bissell, of Lawrence
vile, and Jack Ryan, of the Southside
They fought at catch-ueight to finish with
small gloves, Queensberry rules, for purse
of $3.50. The ring, which was one of 16
feet, was formed in shed. and fully 200
people witnessed the battle. The contest was a
desperate one, and Ryan was knocked out in
the eighth round by terrific blow on the
jugular.
The principals accom- panied by their seconds
leftthe city about $50 Saturday night and
reached the battle ground about midnight
About two hours later the contest started
amid considerable excitement. Ryan had
scarcely friend in the crowd, and a local
light pugilist volunteered to second him.
When the principals entered the ring there
was big contrast between them. Bssell
weighed about l60 younds and was young and
vigorous
FISTIC VETERAN.
Ryan, who is something of fistic veteran,
looked in poor condition, and only scaled l45
pounds. While he looked little weary he
seemed confident however. and when the
referee called time he was the first to rush
from his corner
At the call of time for the first round scarce
ly word could be heard. Ryan seemed
anxious to get into the middle of the ring and
Bissell was also eager TO get TO work. They
spared around considerably and Ryan at once
gave proof that he knew how to use his hands.
Bissell became impatient and led off his blow.
falling short. Ryan tried to get home but was
also little short. They both went at it then
hammer and tongs and as a wlndup to the
round Bissell landed his right heavily OH Ryans
ear. Ryan went to his corner considerably
dazed.
The second round was lively enough to de-
light the spectators. Both men kept in the GEN.
ter of the ring and thumped away at each other
right and left. Bissell was much quicker and
stronger than Ryan and the latter
GOT THE LIONS SHARE
Of the punishment However, both fighters
received strong doses, and they were soon COW
cred with blood. The round, which was of the
give-and-take kind, wound up by Ryan receiv-
ing another heavy blow on the left ear which
knocked him down.
The third round was in many respects similar
to the second. Ryan was evidently losing
strength, but he stuck to his man gamely. Bis
sell also looked somewhat tired. They battered
away at each, however like demons, and
science seemed to be discarded. Ryan began
to keep out of the way' little toward the
close of the round, and just before time was
called he landed a swinging blow on Bisselps
neck and Bissell went down.
The fighters were now a sorry sight and were
getting weak. Bsselrs left eye was closing
fast and blood was flowing copiously from his
nose and mouth. Ryan was even more battered
than Bissell as he had a big cash on his fore
head above his left eye, and he was bleeding at
the nose profusely. His body was also a mass
of bruises and altogether there was plenty of
evidence of the severity of the encounter. The
fourth round was therefore tame compared to
the previous ones, as each man spared for
wind What blows were delivered were not
very effective
A VERY LIVELY ROUND.
The fifth round was another lively Jre, The
contestants had gotten their second wind and
they at once resorted to the hammer and tongs
process of punishment Bisselrs superior
strength here began to tell perceptbly and he
punished the little old fellow terribly. Ryan
responded, but with little effect and was nearly
exhausted when time was called
Ryan kept out of harms way in the sixth
managed this very well and recovered his wind
wonderfully during the round. He came up
with renewed vigor in the seventh, and showed
so much fighting ability that at one time he
returned all Bissell's blows with good interest.
and when the round finished he was every bit
as good as his big opponent
Ryan started out well in the eighth and last
round. He struck out viciouSly, knocking
Bissell clean off his feet by a swinging right
handler Bissell was soon up, however, and
after few more exchanges he landed terrific
swinging blow Ryan's jugular, knocking
him senseless. This ended the battle, as Ryan
was unable to respond to the call of time. A
collection was made for him. and about $40
were realized.
Ryan arrived in this country not long ago
from England, and has had a long experience
in pugilistic affairs. He was too old and too
light, however, for Bssell.