Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-02
NEW-YeAR SLUGGlNG.
Brooks OF New York Knocks Out Hoicomb
of Washington I'm -Four Rounds-Details
of the Fifteen Minute Fight.
Iwashinqton Star, January list. ]

Washington Star, January 1stl
About $50 of the toughest element of
WashingtOn's sporting fraternity gathered
in n shed on the other side OF the Long
bridge carly This morning TO witness a
prize fight between James Brooks of New
York, and Frank Holcomb, one Of the local
aspirants for fstic honors. The fight was
short and hot and when the referee called
for the men az the beginning of the fifth
round HOlcomb was In such battered
condition that he threw up the sponge
and the fight was awarded 10 Brooks.
Considerable money changed hands on the
result.
The tip was given early last evening that
there was fight on the programme. hut no
one seemed 10 know that it was assured or
where il would take place A long process
sion of vehicles filing III funeral-llke order
down PENNSYLVANIA avenue, was the signal
the large crowd Of toughs had been watch
ing for. 0nd the word was quickly passed
that the fighters had gone TO the battle
ground.
HEw-YHAE CHIMES.
Everything with wheels was eagerly
grabbed at by the fstic enthusiasts. and
when tho reporter Of the S'dr, safely IN
sconced in an old night liner, joined the
procession, which was now moving rapidly
across the Long bridge, the chimes in the
steeple Of the Metropolitan church were
ringing out the tidings that new year had
been born. Across the bridge the strange
caravan halted.
NO MoNEY--No TIGHT.
A general mumur of dissatisfaction was
audible when IT,. manager stepped into
the middle Of the ring, and, taking a position
on q chair. announced III IA speech of rare
literary merit that de purse wasn't large
enough an ef dore was a-goin' 10 be q
IL. -. 1 - 81 10 AuIr
up" The crowd were Just spelling for a
fight and wouldn't have objected TO any,
thing, so long as fight was promised.
And the bat went the rounds with an 1915
result This amt enough" cried the
manager once more; you amt bull
dogs enough to see two men fight for
such a purse as S5.75I Come on, boys,
once more" And the hat went on It's
weary way again, with a S2l0 result.
Now, boys. this amt goin' TO do once
more sang out the manager; we have got
TO give de BOYS $50 purse at least" The
crowd didn't like the idea much and
grumbled. A fne-looking gambler from
the faro-bank across the wav happened in
lust then and added a flyer to the purse.
A cab-drivcr handed in quarter Of dol
lar and an enemy Of his across the ring
raised him and went rs cents better.
Finally the purse was made up and every
a
TO SATISFY THg SHERIFF.
A very black man with heavy oyercoat
moved in the ring and whispered IN the
II can't do it," the manager replied
aloud.
Moving over to the press representatives,
who We're there he said that the man was
the sheriff of the county aud he wanted to
be satisfied 20 the extent of SO bill. The
argument was continued IN the bar and the
crowd lost sight of them for moment,
when one of the fighters. who had been an
interested listener 10 the conversation,
poked his head in the door and said:
"Dere amt n-goin' TO be fight till the
sheruh am satisfied"
well, satisfy him." came from hun
bred throats; throw him overheard"
TIE MEN N THE RING.
At length the sheriff was satisfied and
the fighters appeared. much TO the delight
Of the crowd, who gave them hearty re-
ception. Brooks was the first to appear.
He was dressed in black tights and wore an
overcoat. Then came Holcomb similarly
dressed. The men weighed about l3Spounds
apiece, and when they stripped at the call
OF time looked out Of condition, although
manhood. The BLACK Pearl" and the
BLACK Star" looked after the inter-
ests 81 Holcomb, while G. @. Smith,
the heavyweight champion of the
District, and O'Rouque, who defeated
Gainey on the same ground, did
the honors for Brooks. Patsy Morgan was
chosen referee, although the crowd were
clamorous for Mcmillan, whom they said
would give them good fight. George
Mccoy and Bill Northredge held the
watches. At the call of time both men
sprang lightly into the middle of the ring.
hut it was discovered that they did not
have on gloves. A couple of pairs were
donated. and after the fingers had been re-
moved they were donned and the fight
commenced.
THE FIGHT.
First Round. 1t was just twenty minutes
past this morning whel Brooks opened
the ball by planting heavy left-hander
on his antagonists proboscis, and quickly
followed il up with asWlnging highlander,
which Holcomb cleverly lodged. A little
cautious sparring followed. broken by a
rush from Holcomb, which Brooks met
with a ge-hammer blow IN the wind,
and the round closed.
Second Round.-It was pleasing to the
crowd TO see the way this round opened.
Brooks forced the fighting from the start
and fought his man all over the ring.
Feinting with his left and swinging his right
with terrific force Brooks caught Holcomb
once more in the proboscis and drew the
claret. The round warmed as the minutes
flew and for some time the fighting was
furious II was evident from his tactics
that Brooks was only waiting for chance
TO knock his man out, but the latter was
wary. The round closed with Holcomb
going TO grass" from "a swinging right
handler in the neck.
Third Round.-No one thought that
Brooks had even fighting chance. and
Is to / was offered on Brooks with no
takers. Aiming q Knockout blow az Hol-
comb Brooks failed to land by clever
duck from Holcomb, which was Just in the
nick of time. Holcomb was weary, every
one could see that, and clinched repeat
edly 10 save himself from punishment. His
left optic was almost closed and his right
swelling. He was CORY sight all over.
Fourth Round. When the men advanced
al the call Of time Brooks was smiling and
showed no punishment whatever. Hol-
comb, however, WAS q sight. He feebly |
stated that that round would be the last,
and the Hast round of the fight went on. |
Brooks rushed his man all about the ring, |
stopping once from q straight left-hander |
from Holoomb, which fell little short. |
but served the purpose of making Brooks |
cautious. All about the ring they fought. |
Brooks clinching at every opportunity. |
The crowd cheered loudly when the Tine !
keepers called time.
rHREw UP THE SPONGE.
Holcomb had enough. IN fact ii is doubt |
full il he could have stood another round, |
and be threw up tho sponge The referee |
then decided that Brooks was the winner,
and the crowd made rush for the car |
risges, Tho o'clock bell was Just ringing |
when the reporter turned IN, and the fight |
had lasted only ffeeen minutes.
Taken al in all. the fight was . good |
one. Brooks was easily the best man and |
showed plainly that no has the making Of |
! Gghter. He uses both hands equally well |
aud hits straight and strong. Another |
light viii shortly b axssngs&, = \ aid !