Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-18
KILLED IN THE PRIZE RING.
A Youthful st. Louis Pugilist Fights
His Last Battle.
1T WAS A BRUTAL ENCOUNTER
In the Twelfth Round jackson Sue
cuinbs TO the Pounding Received
From Ahcarn-Some Promi-
nent People Implicated.
Murdered for Thirty Dollars.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. IA brutal prize fight
occurred In n saloon in this city last night
which has resulted In the death of one of the
participants. Thomas Il. jackson, well
known in the local prize fighting circles, was
the victim. He was only eighteen
years of age. Jackson fought with Ed
Ahearn, a focal light weight champion,
eleven bloody rounds, and at the opening of
the twelfth fell fainting into hia seconds
arms. The fight throughout was one of the
most desperate battles ever witnessed in the
ring, science being lost sight Of and give and
take sugging marked the fight throughout,
When jackson fell unconscious he was
carried to n room above the saloon and three
physicians were called. They worked Wig
orously, but without av all, and mt IL O'CLOCK
Jacks died.
The chief of police has ordered the arrest
OF all parties concerned in the affair The
affair has created intense excitement, as
prominent people will likely be-
come involved. The referee was the
sporting editor of leading morning
paper The spectators were principally
Pool alley sports who made up the purse of
$50 for which the men, or rather boys con.
tested. Two-ounce gloves were used.
Ahearn is n gashtter by occupation and
fighter bv inclination. Jackson was known
in sporting circles as Jack King, and his
parents were ignorant of his pugilistlc am-
bition.
An eye witness of the battle says it was
one of the bloodiest contests he ever wit
messed. After the first round science was
entirely disregarded, The bodies of the men
were striped and blotched with blood, their
tights were stained and their gloves slip
perry, both having bled freely from the nose
and face. The crowd which contributed the
$50 for which the men were fighting cheered
them on while the floor was getting slippery
from their blood.
In the eleventh and last round both men
were so weak they could hardly stand up.
Ahearn with an effort struck jackson a
swinging blow, which floored MIN, falling on
top of him from the impetus of his own blow.
When time was called for the twelfth round
jackson was put on his feet and showed for
ward by his seconds, but almost Immediately
fell back unconscious. His body, as seen at
the morgue, presents a horrible appearance.
The lips hang in shreds; the face is one lvid
mass OF battered human flesh, black and blue
and terribly swollen. His chest does hot
show marks or bruises to any great extent,
so the man must have received all the blows
on his face and head.
Ahearp, the surviving principal, was ar
rested this afternoon. He seems to be proud
of the fight he made and says Jackson must
have had heart disease. The prOprietors of
the saloon where the fight occurred, and the
seconds and two time keepers have been ar
rested, and several others will probably be
behind the bars before morning, so there are
many uneasy sports tonight.
Young jackson left home about a month
ago or account of quarrel with his father,
who, 1T appears, had objected to his taking
part in pugilstic encounters in gymnasium.