Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-13
PRIZE FIGHTS RESULTING FATALLY
List of English and American eugilists
Killed by Opponents
From the Chicago Tribune

List of English and American Fugilists |
Killed by Opponents
From the Chicago Tribune.I
Wniie the great aim OF the professors of
the manly art is to settle all difficulties |
with Natures weapons only and to do away |
with deadly strife, there have been many |
pugilists who have met their death in the |
prize ring or shortly after the fight. Nal
ice, however, was not the cause OF these
unfortunate fatal examinations, as the sur
yiving principal has generally been ac-
quilted on trial, or received a nominal I'M
prisonment, and there is not singl case
on record Of the offender having been
hanged. In most cases terminating fatally
the hackers of the men have been to blame
for permitting brave fellows to be pounded
into insensibility after nature has all but
deserted them, in order, If possible, to win
their wagers. The following is list of
fatal prize fights:
A determined mill took place in England
between Turner and Curtis in October,
1916, ending in the death of Curtis. The
odds were two to one on Curtis, who had
recently been in the hospital, and who en-
tered against the wishes of his friends,
saying he would win or die. Turner was
sentenced to two months imprisonment at
Newgate.
War and Watson had "turn up" on
their way to the second fight between Dan
Mendoza and Dick Humphreys at Oldham,
England, January 1888. Watson was
killed by blow in the stomach.
Jem Bates and Clayton fought in Eng
land, April %, 1917. Clayton was getting
the best of it when a terrific blow on the
iugular vein rendered him senseless, and
hD Il ,,l oh
animosity between the two men and moth
ing unfair in the contest. Although found
guilty of manslaughter, Bates was fined
one shilling and imprisoned for six months.
A desperate battle came off in England,
April /, 1928, between Watts and Smith,
in which, at the end of one hour and ten
carotid artery which rendered him sense
less, and he died the next day.
Scott and Brown met in England, No
vember Q, 1924, for purse, but when time
was called for the twentieth round Brown
was senseless. He died in about twenty
hours. On trial. the Jury gave their opin-
ion that the man died of over exertion, and
exonerated Scott.
Owen Swift, the Little Wonder" as he
was called, from having won fifteen battles
y
age, met and defeated Anthony Noon for
the second time, June 81, 1884, in Ando-
yer, England, for $50 a side After fight
ing Seventy-three rounds in two hours and
six minutes, Noon received blow which
proved fatal Swift surrendered and was
imprisoned six months in Winchester
Castle.
Swift and Bill Phelps, better known as
AZ
land for ESQ side March 13, 1888. The
battle lasted one hour and thirty-fiye min
utes, eighty-ive closely-contested rounds
being fought The Little Wonder was de-
clared the victor, although both were
taken from the ground insensibIe. Phelps
died March 18th from effusion of blood to
the brain, result of the punishment re-
ceiyed. Swift, upon hearing of Phelps
death, fled to France, where, after defeat
ing Jack Adams twice, he returned to
England and was tried at the HEREFORD
AssIzes and acquitted.
Simon Byrne, champion of ireland, and
Alexander, alias Sandy" Mckay, cham
pion of Scotland, fought the second battle
at Selcey Forest, England, June ,, 1890
The men had previously fought in Scot
land. The second match was for .e200
a side, and after fearful fight for forty
seven rounds in tifty-three minutes, Sandy
was knocked senseIess, and died the fol-
lowing Thursday. Byrne was tried for
manslaughter at the Buckingham Assizes
and acquitted.
James, alias Deaf Burke, champion of
England, met Simon Byrne at No Mans
Land, England, May 80, 1888, for el00
side and the championship. In the nine
ty-ninth round Byrne fell senseless. The
fight had lasted three hours and six min
utes. Byrne died three days afterwards.
Burke was tried for manslaughter in the
first degree at the HEREFORD Assizes, July
il, Of the same year and acquitted
Mike Madden beat Jack Jones at LYON
Reach, England, December II, 1865, in
twenty-three rounds in sixty-geven min
utes. Jones died of injuries received. At
Maidstone Madden was tried for man
slaughter and acquitted.
Chris Lilly and Tom Mccoy engaged in
a desperate battle near Hastings, n. Y,
September I3, 1912, for $500. 1t resulted
in the death OF Mccoy after 120 rounds
had been fought Lilly was shot February
16, 1857, on board the Gautemalim brig
Santiago for waging war against Nicaragua
under General VIM. Walker.
Charles Lynch fright name Logue) beat
Andy Kelly at Huyler's Landing, n j.,
September II, 1856. The battle lasted l05
minutes-eighty-ti five rounds in all. Kelly
was beaten into insensibility and died
shortly after. Lynch fed to England and
became featherweight champion, but after
several years returned to the United States
and died in New York
Billy Walker and Jimmy Weldon had
a terrific encounter near Pennsville, n. j.,
August 81, 1876, and in the seyeuty-sixth
round Walker was thrown on his head and
rendered senseless. Time, enc hour and
fifty-eight minutes. He never recovered
consciousness, expiring at $40 P II. the
same day on board the boat. Upon arri7-
ing at Camden the authorities took charge
of Walkers body and transferred it to the
residence of his parents, South Second
street, Philadelphia. Weldon Johnny
Clarke, sam Collyer, " Fiddler" Neary and
Dick Goodwin were arrested and sentenced
for a term of imprisonment at Trenton,
n. j., where Weldon died November &,
1877.
The latest fatality in the prize ring was
the killing of George Fulliames at Grand
Forks, Dakota, September 90, 1886 but no
one as yet has been held accountable for
his death, and as far as the authorities are
concerned, the antagonist of Fullames on
that occasion remains unknown.