Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-03
HAMMERED BY THE BLACKSMITH.

HAMMERED BY THE BLACKSMITH.
Joe Kennedy, Of Philadelphia, De-
feated by Mike Reidy, Of This City.
A PR1zE-freHr OF SIX ROUNDS on THE BANK on
THE POTOMAC FOR THE MIppLEwKIaHr CHAM
PIoNsHIP OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND A
PURSE OF $50.
The fight for the middleweightc championship
of the District of Columbia and purse Of $50,
between Joe Kennedy, of Philadelphia, and
Mike Reidy, blacksmith, of this city, took
place late yesterday afternoon at well-known
resort down the river. After standing to his
guns for six rounds Kennedy succumbed to the
inevitable and refused to leave his chair, where
he had taken refuge from Reidy the black
smiths hot shot. The fight was accordingly
awarded to Reidy.
DOWN THE RIVER IN THE RAIN.
1.-THE talent were given the tip early in the
day that the fight would take place at Colling-
| wood Beach, and that the boat would leave this
city promptly at o'clock The latter part Of
the program was carried out and the Cecile a
boat that takes all the sports to prize-fghts,
! slipped her moorings at the foot of 18th street
and glided out into the stream with a danger
ously large crowd aboard. The boat had not got
fairly under way before the rain came down in
torrents. There was q rush for shelter and il
looked as if the boat was going to turn over.
She soon righted herself and steamed down the
river, having left quite crowd of men on the
wharf who did not care to risk their lives on
the overcrowded boat. Those left behind, with
the assistance of Bob Hoffman, succeeded in
chartering tugboat and in a short while the
Ceclle, with her sporty gang, was in sight.
ORDERED OFF BY THE sERGEANT's WIFE.
The first stop was made at Fort Foote, but
the wife of the sergeant in charge of that forti-
hcation threatened to inform the War depart
ment if the party landed and they concluded
to steam away for another landing. Colling-
wood Beach was next tried, but the gay excur-
sionists found the sheriff and posse of men
armed with shotguns ranged along the wharf,
warning them off. They were "sports," not
soldiers, and the sight of guns awed them, so
turning around they steamed away. Somebody
suggested River View, and it was decided to
try 1t. The party landed, telling the two men
who were on the wharf that the excursionists
wanted to get a drink, and while the crowd
were refreshing themselves the managers of
the night were busily engaged in pitching a
ring.
The ring was pitched in picturesque spot
on hill overlooking the river. No time was
lost in getting things in shape, and after Bill
Ashton had been selected referee he promptly
caiied for the men.
THE FIGHTERS.
Kennedy was the first to appear. He wore
black tights and stockings and weighed 1876
pounds. He was looked after by George
Northridge
Reidy soon appeared clad in black. and when
he threw his coat off to get to work a murmur
OF admiration went up from the crowd. He
seemed In excellent condition, and his white
skin covered a set of muscles that looked like a
bundle of spikes.
Kennedy, on the other hand, seemed out of
condition. Reidy stripped at 14S pounds. He
was looked after by Billy Mcmillan. As the
jumped to the middle of the ring, looking con-
tident, while Kennedy was plainly nervous and
his smile was twitchy and unnatural
THE FIRST ROUND
opened with cautious sparring. Kennedy held
a high guard and assumed the defensive, while
Reidy tiddled for an opening, but only for a
few seconds when out went his right and
landed on Kennedy's ribs, leaving pink tinge
Kennedy countered lightly on Reidy's jaw, and
received in return another hard one on the
ribs, which shook him considerably. The men
then clinched and were parted as time was
called.
HARD FIGHTING IN THE SECOND ROUND.
The second round began with some hard
fighting. Kennedy, still ON the defensive tried
his utmost to ward off the blacksmith's blows,
n
clever sparrer. and several hard blows were
nicely parted Reidy looked like a sure win
ner In this round, and a terrific swinging right
handler from him, which would have knocked
his man out had it landed. was cleverly lodged
He followed it up with hard blow on Kenne-
dys abdomen, but before he could get away re-
ceIyed a hard one on the right eye.
FIRST BLOOD
was claimed and allowed for Kennedy.
In the third round Kennedy got in some
hard hicks, but Reidy returned them with i'll
terest. and it began to look blue for the Phila-
delphian.
The betting at the opening of the fourth
round was $50 to S25 on Reidy Both men
opened cautiously. Reidy still forced the fight
ing and landed lightly on Kennedy's abdomen
but before he could get away received another
smash IN the face. 1t was evident that Reidy
was playing for Kennedys wind A series of
PUSHES, lodges, and clinches closed this round
Reidy rested better than his antagonist, who
was breathing heavily when time was called for
the fifth round. Both got to work Immediately
and several telling blows from Reidy made his
opponent shaky. Reidy again tried his rushing
tactics, but Kennedy would cleverly dodge him
and cllnch. In the breakaway Kennedy claimed
he had been fouled, but it was not allowed
KENNEDY WAS EVIDENTLY GONE,
for he tore off his gloves and refused to con-
tinue the hight.
Aver some coaxlng, however, he resumed,
and the sixth round opened auspiciously for
Reidy. 1t was evident his opponent was at his
mercy, for in the close fighting which opened
the round Kennedy dropped to avoid punish
ment AS he was going down Reidy struck
him vicious blow on the head
Foul, foul rang out from Kennedys
corner, but the claim was not allowed the
referee explaining the blow.
Kennedy was helped to his corner where he
tore off his gloves and refused absolutely.
despite the entreaties of the sports present to
continue the fight. He quickly put on his
clothing and got out of the ring Not respond
ing to the call of time the referee declared
Reidy the winner.
NEITHER MAN BADLY PUNISHED.
It was evident to all at the beginning that
Reidy would be the winner, for, aside from his
splendid physique, he was very clever with his
hands. Kennedy, on the other hand, while the
cleverer sparrer, was timid. Neither was badly
punished. The crowd arrived in the city about
1880 o'clock p. IN.
CARD,
To the Editor Of The STAR:
The alleged prize-fight, mentioned as having
taken place at River View, did not occur with
my consent, as the parties engaged took ad-
vantage of the absence of any excursion on the
grounds and landed. Z. S. RANDALL.
A Meeting of the Old Guard.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Old
4