The Washington critic., 1890-04-22
GOSSIP OF THE SPORTS.
NEWS OF THE BALL FIELD, RACE
TRACK AND PRIZE RING.


Pearl and Isaac Murgen, the two col
ored middle-weights, this morning,
which resulted in q victory for the
Pearl in the eighth round, after 35
minutes fighting. Il was one of the
most exciting mills that has taken
place in this vicinity for some time,
not so much by reason of the ability the
men displayed, as 1t was the apparent
desire of every man in the crowd to
take hand in It.
No such crowd ever witnessed fight
before, and It was lucky thing that
nobody was seriously injured in the
jam and rush.
There was no concealment of the
place of fighting, and this accounted
for the large number present. The one
interesting query last night was, "Are
you going over the bridge?" and about
every one who was asked promptly de.
clared he was. "Over the bridge
meant an old frame barn just beyond
the south end Of the Long Bridge that
has gathered many similar crowd
within its small quarters, and has been
the scene of many fight, both between
human beings and animals.
The start was made from the city
about / o'clock, and for an hour there
was constant stream of carriages
passing over the bridge at a lively rate,
with little regard for the conspicuously
posted signs not to allow the horses to
move faster than walk. Those who
were not fortunate enough to have the
cash to pay for q carriage walked and
consoled themselves with the thought
that they stood as much show of seeing
the fight as did their more aristocratic
brethren.
The old shed was illuminated with q
couple of kerosene lamps placed over
the ring, and here about seventy-fve
men who had put up 50 apiece to see
the fight sought and found admission
and Immediately skirmished for good
position. The old timers-those who
take in every event of this kind and
who have begun to believe that one
would not be success without their
E presence-remained on the outside and
watched the fun.
A black bearded Cerberus stood guard
over the door, and he probably
does not desire to occupy such posi-
ton again. The crowd on the out
side wanted to join that on the inside,
and ii either wouldn't or couldn't put
up the dust. Hence the fun. When
ever persons would seek to gain admit
tance. they would push against the door
and its guardian in vain effort to
carry half dozen men through the
narrow doorway. Failing in this, they
tore the door off the hinges and tried
to use it as battering.ra ram against the
individual who tried to keep them out
But this was not all the excitement
There were several games of sweat
going on and any number of impromptu
encounters, incidental to the event of
the evening.
Meanwhile the crowd on the outside
was growing impatient and its impa-
tience increased with its numbers, until
finally it resolved to get in at all haz-
ards. Somebody suggested tearing down
the barn, and that crowd adopted the
motion unanimously and proceeded to
act on it. Grip" went board off the
side, and in less than five minutes the
wind had the best opportunity it has
had since the shed was built, for there
were half a dozen boards taken off.
Where the crowd would have stopped,
or whether they would have stopped at
all until there was nothing left but the
beams and roof, is a question that can
never be answered positively, for the
manager of the affair threw the doors
wide open and the delighted gang
trooped in. 1t was an awful jam, and
it succeeded in making 1t real pleasant,
for those who were near the ropes en-.
gagged In catch-as-catch can match tC
retain their equilibrium.
The ring was very small one, about
6x10 feet, and it was taken possession
of by about dozen men, who wanted 9
good view of the fight. Finally the
referee succeeded in getting them ou
and about 2 o'clock the fight began.
The Pearl was seconded by G. G.
Smith, and Murgen had his interests
looked after by Joe Fielden and Ton
O'Rourke. Billy Northedge was Sc
lected as referee. Before the fight ther,
was considerable betting done at 10
to against Murgen and it seemed the
opinion that he was not in it, although
as the fight went on, the sympathie
OF the crowd seemed to be with him
for the excellent showing he made.
Neither man possessed much science
although Murgen had lille the bes
Of il in this regard, but he showed hi
inexperiencc as a ring fighter by hi
constant rusbes and clinches, whicl
only served TO wind him, and did hin
more harm than good. The Pearl ais
had the advantage in weight, and hi
stockily. built form was in marked con
trast to his slender opponent. Bot
were in the pink of condition, and whel
they stepped to the centre of the ring +
shake hands it looked as If game figh
would result. At the call of "time'
both men jumped to the scratch ant
liddled for an opening Murgen foun
it and let go his left against the Pearl
Jaw, and in return took hot one in til
ribs. The men clinched, and befor
they could be separated had managed t
land a number of body blows on eac
other. AS they broke Murgen uppG
cut the Pearl. Itsurprised him, and h
went at his antagonist savagely, bu
Murgen clinched and saved himself
The round ended in clinch in Mul
gems corner.
1t began to look as if Murgen's abil
ties had been underestimated when tn
second round began, for he forced tn
lighting, and with his left caught th
Pearl under the eye and drew fir
blood. This was the only effective bio
of the round, which was simply serit
Of clinches.
The Pearls weight began to tell
the third round. He was playing
waiting game and letting his opponeI
do the leading, contenting himself wit
heavy body blows and an occasions
face blow. He played for Murgen