Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-17
LIVELY AMATEURS.
Local Athletes Have Some Exciting
Wrestling and Boxing Contests
in the East End.
HAGAN CAPTURES THE SILVER CUP
Cline Defeats Burris in the Final Game
at the Philadelphia Billiard
Tournament.
SPALDING AND THE BOSTON TRIO.
The Trunvirs Become Very obstnat.-G General Sport
ing News Of the Day.
HAGAN CAPTURES THE SILVER CUP
sPALDING AND THE BOSTON TRIO.
The Trumvirs Become Very 0bstinst,-G,nsrsl Sport.
ing News Of the Day.

Professor Kirchner's efforts in arranging
an indoor athletic exhibition were we'll re-
warded last evening at the East End GYM
nasium. The splendid hall of the gym
nasium was we'll filled by fashionable
audience. fully so per cent of which were
ladies. Everything passed off successfully,
and the professor has much encouragement
10 make another venture.
OF course the leading features on the pro-
gramme were he wrestling and boxing con-
tests. Just before the proceedings COM
menced Secretary Henderson remarked to
the writer: There is a strong prejudice pre-
vailiug against boxing, and even wrestling. L
don't know why there should be, but 1t exists
all the same"
Those who witnessed last evenings contests
would certainly be of the same opinion as Mr.
Henderson. The young gentlemen who took
part in the boxing caused lots of fun; nobody
was hurt, as in a football game; everybody was
pleased and the ladies applauded. The boxing
wasn't first class by any means, but it was earn
est and the few warmers" that each contest
ant received only served to make matters more
interesting
A horizontal bar performance by Messrs.
H. B. Laying W. H. Hastings. E c. Morgan, II.
c. Fry, Jr, E. E. Kehene and J. b. McClellaud,
opened the evenings entertainment. They all
did well, Laying and McClelland being very
good. This was followed by a lightweight
wrestling contest for silver cup. There were
four entries. but only George HaCan, of the
Twelfth Ward Athletic Club, and w. Z. Neill,
OF the East End Gymnasium, put in appear
ance. The contest was under catch-as-catch-
can rules best two tails of three. Fred Good
wyn WAS referee. The contest was somewhat
exciting, although Hagan knew little too
much about the game for Nelll. In the first
five minutes Nelll was fairly downed mostly by
his own carelessness. Hagau acted on the de.
fensive, and while Neil was insisting on get
ting Nelson" hold Hagan slipped Oh a half
hang" and twisted him cleveriy over
The second bout was extremely exciting as
Neill had Hagan almost downed three times.
He was much quicker than his opponent. but
he didn't know his work SO well. After wres-
thing about ten minutes, during which time
Hagan was on the defensive. he got half ell
bow hold and forced Nell over square on his
shoulders, winning the contest. This again
was mostly the result of Neilfs lack of knowl-
edge of how to protect himself Neill is
promising young wrestler.
A contortlon exhibition followed In which
Messrs. Charles Close ami Howard Laying took
part They both did well. Fencing bv A. c.
Cunningham and Prof. kIrchner followed
They gave splendid exhibition. and wound up
by contest for five points, which Mr.CunnIuS
ham won.
Then there was boxing by J. c. Moore and
ii. r. Fleming. They were evenly matched.
Fleming had the advantage of a knger reach
and took good lead in the firsttwo ronnds
In the tlllu rOunu Moore eYened matters
by using bis left and parrying the lett of his
opponent. The boxing contest was between G,
BOstwicK and L. L. Morgan. The former
thumped Morgan about the stage quite merr ily
in the first two rounds, but in the third round
Morgan had a little the best of il. He banged
away with his left and gave MIR. Bostwick
little more than he wanted. The style of each
was exceedingly faulty in attitude delivery
and judgment. They were all over The stage
and at times it looked ike a race 1hey
caused lots Of fun, however. 1t is perhaps
fair to say that on the whole BostwIck had the
best of IL.
High kicking came next. The contestants
were Messrs. Taylor, McKennan. Morgan,
Laying. Fry and Hastings. The kicking was
OF an exceedingly lively kind, all of the con-
testants getting their feet high up IN the air.
The programme was brought to a close by
boxing contest between J. II. Auu and c. S.
Miller This was very interesting. AulI was
much the prettier boxer and the pair gave gen.
eral satisfaction. Fred Goodwin fulfilled the
duties of referee ably and altogether the large
audience was well pleased with the nights en-
tertainment and at times was very enthusiastic.
The committees appointed by the gymnasium
directors to investigate as to the prospects of
an indoor athletic tournament on a national
scale are inclined to report favorably. If the
tournament is held it will take place in some
large hall in the city in January or February
next. Pat Farrell is to be engaged to teach
boxing two or three evenings a week at the
gymnasium.