Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
Acting on the Defensive and Falling to
Avoid Punishment
John Begged Him to Fight but He
Showed the White Feather.
Kilrain Mass of Bruises, While Sui
Ivan Has Only Two Marks.
Jake Claims he Was Dragged and
Bemoans His Fate.


train arrived here at $50 this morning
After worrying around in New Orleans
half the night, and specializing on the
chances for fight, people at the hotels,
the clubs and the street moved with
common impulse toward the depot. At
11:30 o'clo ok people trusted not to street
cars but took cabs and carriages and
every iehu in the city did a land office
business. Down at the depot there was
an indescribable crush. It seem ed as
though everybody in the city was going
to the fight, and it happened that every
body wanted to get aboard at the same
time. Through careless management,
holders of inner ring tickets, who
PAID DEARLY FOR THEIR TRIP,
were forced to 60 through a narrow pas
sageway well guarded with policemen to
reach the cars, which were quickly filed.
In the throng were many of the most
prominent people in the city of
business, financial, an social character,
1t included bankers, merchants, lawyers,
editors and reporters, and was, perhaps.
as cosmopolitan a gathering as has ever
come together on any occasion. At 1:30
the first trail with twelve coaches pulled
ont of New Orleans and the conductor
and engineer were give2 instructions to
60 right to the battle ground without g
stop. Aboard the train the inform alton
was furnished officially that both Sullivan
and Kilrain had reached tie battle ground
at $50. There was scarcely any betting
on the train. Passengers simply talked
over the merits of the two men
and slept. On the way over
MANY SHOTS WERE FIRED
in order to brighten off stealers of a ride,
and the conductors found many toug h
characters secreted in closets and other
out Of the way ylaces. The discovery of
one group of these non-ticket holders
almost precipitated shooting ARRAY on
the way over, but the trouble was avoided
train coming over were the chief of
police of New Orleans, the commissioner
of public buildings, and in fact, most of
the prominent officials of the city. The
attorney general and his staff left the car
at Sidell, and stood at the railway station
until morning waiting for returning
train.
ATTEMPT TO STOP THE TRAIN.
At the Mississippi line there was a
party of twenty-five armed men, and the
train was tagged. But no attention was
paid to the signal: and the special dashed
by at speed of twenty five miles an
hour. It was just before daybreak when
the train got into Mississippi. The ring
was pitched and everything in readiness
for the fight to take place at O'Clock.
THE SCENE OF BATTLE.
RIoHBURa, Miss, July 8.-The fight
took place at R ichburg, which is 80 miles
from M eridan and 1O3 from New Orleans.
So perfect were the arrangements that
there was absolutely no fear of military
Interference. Richburg is virtually own
ed by Mr.. Rich, and the place covers an
area of 10000 acres extending over three
counties of Mississippi. Mr.. Rich is the
owner of an extensive sawmiIl, and the
place was picked out simply because of
the bars it offered TO suspicion.
Last night after darkness body of 100
men went TO work by the aid of bonfres
TO perfect the battle ground which is on
the sawdust of the mill and seats for
1,500 people were hastily constructed.
The owner of the property had made
splendid arrangemen for the pug lists
and a room on the property wss provided
for K1lrain. Quarters were also fitted up
for Sullivan and mis- party. In these
apartments the fghthers spent the last
night before the fight.
New ORLEANS, July s.-There was great
excitement at the ring side as Bud Rem
and, Mike Donovan and Johnnie Murphy
A1ooO oPpOoiohOCs bhCy O4O
at $50 a. M, and it became apparent
that the fight was actually to occur. On
the toss-up for position, Kilrain's rep
Mike Donovan, won, and Sc
lected the northeast corner. Muldoon,
Sullivan's representative, chose the
southwest corner. At this juncture the
county
SHERIFF MADE HIS APPEARANCE
and in the Hame of the state of Missis-
sippi commanded peace and retired, this
being the only effort on the part of the
authorities to interfere with the fight.
The flag of Sullivan, brought from Bos-
ton, was placed in his corner, amidst
great enthusiasm. Kilrain was the first
to make his appearance, accompanied by
Mike Donovan aud Charlie Mitchell. He
was greeted with applause but wore a
very serious air, as if
fully realizing the work before him.
As the crowd recognized the stalwart
form of the big fellow as he jumped into
the ring the cheers were deafening. He
looked in marked contrast to Kilrain,