Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-02-03
BEYOND THE ROCKIES.
Kilrain Once More in the
Fistic Arena.
VACQUELIN EASILY VANQUISHED
Fatal Fires at Boston, Chicago and
Elsewhere - Battle Between
Police and P0landers.

standing all that has been said about the
death Of prize-fghting in New Orleans,
Kilrain appeared in the role of a gladi-
ator today at the West End, in full fight
ing regalia, with the police keeping guard
over the crowd, and in front OF as enthu-
siastic an assem- blsge as ever gathered on
such an occasion. His opponent was
Felix Vacquelin, tall strapping young
ster of French ancestry, quick on his feet,
strong as lion, and with hands like bat
tering rams, both as to size and drivin
power. An Englishman named Allen
picked him up for an easy tsIgst some time
ago, and Vacquelin knocked him out in
one round. A Mississippi giant from the
Bay of st. Louis was matched against
him, and was whipped in two rounds.
Then Professor Dennis Butler played a
seeming joke on the Frenchman and
matched him against Lem McGregor, the
st. Joe Kid. They fought in
December, and Vacquelin knocked him
helpless in the thirteenth round.
Vacquelin wasted half his blows in that
battle, but when he did hit he hit like
Sullivan, and stood his punishment with
the same scornful Indifference. The
town-that is, the sporting part of it
went wild with enthusiasm, and Vac
quelin was put upon the championship
pedestal and worshipped as the coming
king. So when K;lrain came there was
a match waiting for him.
Vacquelin is good-natured, lion
y Of fall xnh EUh
anybody, and his friends we're anxious
cause he is probably the most scientific
man in the world, and vacquelin' 's
measure could be taken by such a
standard.
Then there was the certainty OF large
attendance, and, besides, the local man g
friends had secret feeling that he
might accidentally knock out Sullivan g
late antagonist and jump into prominence
ut once.
Kilrain was as willing as the home
man. Kilrain wanted a four-round go,
thinking it would be long enough for his
purpose, but the Vacquelin men wanted
ten; so they compromised upon six
rounds, with soft gloves. A purse of
900 was raised, and put up in safe
hands. January 10Th was fixed as the
date, and Vacquelin went into training
earnestly. while Kilrain went back to
Richburg, hunted and lived regularly,
keeping well and strong without reduc-
ing himself to starvation weight. The
date was later changed to to-day.
! The theater at the West End was the
scene of the contest, and both men were
out at Lakeside early, ready for the
meeting Kilrain came from Richbure
en- Friday, looking as brown as berry
weighed 207 pounde, and was better
man than the day he fought Sullivan.
There was good color in his face. His
skin was pink with the glow of health,
and his muscles were splendidly devel.
oped without being stiff. Vacquelin was
also fit physically in general way, but
complained of pain in the groin, which
caused a swelling in his left leg and
made him little lame. He never
thought of backing out, however.
BY $3.50 there was gathering of nearly
1000 people; some of the "oidest and
best" we're out. There were prominent
educators; members of exchanges and
bon-ton clubs; federal, State and city
officers; militiamen and athletes and
race horse men were out in force. Pur.
Wis and other country people also came
to the city especially for the affair, and
altogether it was great gathering.
About $3.50 Kilrain stalked in bare
headed and with a blanket wrapped
around his shoulders. His hair was not
close cropped; his moustache was al
lowed to remain; his beard was un-
shaven, and only his carefully trained
appearance, his bare chest, white tights,
black socks and canvas shoes showed
that he was on deck for the argument on
hand. Doc. Adler, Kilrain's Baltimore
friend, was by his side as second. That
was expected, but it was something of a
surprise to see the wrestler, William
Muldoon, Sullivan's trainer, acting in
the same capacity.
Ten minutes later Vacquelin marched
in with his retinue, and was accorded an
ovation. He was accompanied by Mike
Cieary and James Sweeney as seconds,
and Mike Oliver as bottle-holder. Vacoue
lin met the people and Kilrain smilin9ly
threw Oft his overcoat and displayed q
naked bosom, brown tights, a red sash
tied with lovers knot at his side and
leAther fighting shoes. Although Vac
Iquelln measures six feet two inches. he
/ did not look larger than Kilrain, who is
only five feet ten and half inches.
Vacquelin is as clean built as a grew.
hound, with sturdy neck, we'll set chest
and shoulders and arms and legs that dc
not seem to be as strongly muscled az
they are, on account of their length
Kilrain, on the contrary, looked broad
aud heavily muscled, and doomed ur
like Sullivan did when he faced he Bal.
ii morean at Richburg.
There was not mach trouble in select.
ing referee. Pat Hendrix was suggested
and was urged to accept and did SO. and
John O'Neil and John L. DUFFY were
named time.keepers.
Gloves were chosen and donned.
They we're called four-ounce gloves bpt
looked less than three. The crowd
showed enthusiasm when Vacquelin went
over and shook hands with Kilrain in the
latter's corner to show it was friendly
meeting. Later on the principals and
seconds met in the center and claeped
hands, and then the decks were cleared 4
for action.
Muldoon made a little speech, saving
it was gathering on Sunday afternoon
to witness a glove contest, and hoped The
crowd would not forget it and think II
had come to prize fight in the country
1t was contest for the display of skill
atrength and endurance, and not fight
Both sides had agreed to abide bv
the referees decision, and the crowd
should do the same. Then Muldoon
stepped back into his corner. At 40