The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-26
But Kessler Had His Man Nearly
Whipped After Fifteen Ter
rifle Rounds
The Fight Grew So Warm That a
Deputy Sheriff Took
q Part.
One OF the Hardest Battles Ever Fought In
tho Northwest--W Witnessed by
5000 People.

into one Of the most vicious glove fights
ever held in the west. Announcement had
been made that only a 5O-round contest for
points would be given, but the first round
convinced everyone present that the men
were out for blood and that the fight would
be to finish if they were allowed to have
their way. This fact became SO apparent
that at the close of the sixteenth round n
deputy sheriff stepped in and refused to al
low the fight to go on. large stand
had been built upon the home
stretch in front of the grand
stand and regulation ring roped in upon
it, SO all of the 2.0OO spectators present were
given every opportunity to see the least de-
tail of the fight. The two contestants ap-
peared in the ring shortly before 4 o'clock,
both appearing in the pink of condition and
tit to fight for their lives. Kessler was Sec
onded by John Charles, and Brennan by j.
Murphy, and Fred O'Brien was chosen
referee after the usual wrangle. From the
start kessler made a waiting fight, evil
IDENTIFY depending upon his wonderful pow
ers Of endurance to make even for Bren-
mans slight advantage in size and
reach. He also displayed greater
generalship, as Brennan became
angry during the first few rounds
and lost his head. His favorite play was to
get Kessler's head in chancery at every op-
portunity and play with his right upon his
opponents ribs. As soon as he lost his
head he refused to break away, and from
that time on the referee had to do his full
share of the fighting to separate the men
after clinch. First blood was awarded to
Brennan in the first round. but was disal-
lowed and won by Kessler in the fourth by
vicious blow on Brennan's nose. In the
fourth round some very hard inighting was
given, Kessler opening the round by a
shoulder blow on the chin and the usual
clinch following and the men fighting all
over the center of the ring. The referee
had a hard time to separate them, and as
soon ss he had Brennan turned and knocked
him down with left-hander on the ear.
This action caused great excitement at the
ring-side and for a time it looked as though
everyone present would take hand
bat all was finally explained and the fight
went on. In the ninth round another
clinch was followed by such an exhibition
of rough and tumble and disregard of ref
cree orders that Deputy Sheriff O'Neill
warned both men to obey orders or the
fight must cease. In the eleventh the heel
came off one of Kessler's shoes and he nearly
fell but recovered in time to avoid ter
rife undercut from Brennan's right. In the
fourteenth Brennan threw Kessler upon the
boards with terrific force, falling ON him
and fighting while down, until the sheriff
again gave warning. The fifteenth was the
warmest round of the fight, and
ended by Kessler throwing Bren-
nan nearly across the ring,
after clinch and some most desperate
short arm fighting despite the efforts of the
referee and third appearance of the sheriff.
BY this time Brennan began to show signs
of weakening and Kessler, who was still
fresh, began to force the fighting. About
the middle of the round he got in terrible
blow on Brennan's head. which knocked
him half ACROSS the ring, and as he recov-
cred the two men went at each other like
pair of bull dogs, without regard to rules,
until the sheriff ordered the fight stopped.
1t was just beginning to be apparent how
much the best of the fight
Kessler had been getting, and all present
we're satisfied he would have won in two
more rounds. Owing to interference of
officers the referee would give no decision
and the gate money was divided equally
between the two men. Considering the
amount of hard fighting done neither man
was badly injured, and both are upon the
streets tonight. 1t is the general opinion
that Kessler should have won. Stuart, of
Anaconda, has challenged both men for a
fight to a finish for $500 side.