The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-21
THE MARINE DRUNK.
La Blanche Unable to Stand Be-
fore Young Mitchell.
NE LAY DOWN IN THE TWELFTH.
Came Up Grcggy for the First Round
The Belfast Spider Arrested for
Beating IN Old Man.

SAN Francisco, Feb. 20.-TSpecial. The
long-looked-for opening contest between
George la Blanche and Young Mitchell
came off at the California Athletic Club to-
night, and resulted in q serious fiasco. and
one that promises unlimited trouble for
both club and contestants.
For several days past there have been
Tumors of the affair being efixed. - but all
efforts to trace them to any reliable
source proved unavailing. However. when
the betting changed around, placing Mitch-
ell on the long end and q favorite at
the totally unwarranted figures of 500 to
$50, every one was surprised and could not
account for the fact in any other way than
that La Blanche had conveyed to some one
bis intention to throw the contest. These
suspicious lacked confirmation. but seemed
to grow apace during the day, de-
spite the fact that the Marine
was steadily at work getting into
condition. contrary to his every natural
inclination to shrink his training duties.
No one attached any suspicion to Mitchell
In the matter, and many of the club men
laughed at the idea of the contest being
thrown by la Blanche La Blanche was q
strong favorite with the more "sporty" di-
rectors, and it was openly charged after the
contest that they had backed La Blanche
heavily to win.
At the expiration of the contest in the
twelfth round La Blanche received blow
apparently upon the point of the chin,
Just as he rushed from the northeasterly
corner. He wheeled and fell, and cries
arose from all sides Of the house, "He's
out! He's done forl
La Blanche groveled on the mat until the
allotted ten seconds had we'll expired, and
then arose with the assistance of his Sec
onds. and Young Mitchell was taken to
his own corner, where he sat, apparently
limp and groggy, still. Young Mitchell's
hand was pressed on all sides and be was
chcered as he left the ring.
Then La Blanche arose, and as his burly
figure doomed up in sight pandemonium
broke loose. There were cries and cat
calls and shouts and boots, and above all
one cry of sfake," sounded echoing ont
On the street. The Marines sturdy
indifference never showed to such good adj
vantage. He made his way through the
crowd oblivious to all, and going to his
room stretched himself out on his bed,
where he lay when a reporter saw him.
His face was badly punished, lip and nose
being badly split and cut.
care you hurt much % was asked him.
"Pretty badly" was the reply. "That is
. cleverer young fellow than thought, though
he had the advantage Of youth, too"
"Most people think you faxed. How about
that?'
IAN right, If they think 20, Just write It down
that way"
Then the Marine turned his face to the
wall and would talk no more. The great
est diversity of opinion existed. even in
has own room, about the knockout blow
Before the fight Mitchell was the first to
arrive at the club. He went to his room
at once, showing up in splendid shape as
he stripped for the contest. La Blanche
followed him half-hour later and Director
Mclaughlin, Vice President Gibbs, Fish
and others went to his room. Mclaughlin
said, unhesitatingly, speaking of the
Marine, THAT man is drunk"
CONSERVATION prevailed among the direc-
tors, and the president was sent for. In
the meantime the Marine had laid down,
and when Fulda arrived the stupid air and
flushed face had both changed, and he was
pronounced fit to 60 on, which decision
was allowed, despite the opposition Of sew
eral of the directors.
Young Mitchell was thoroughly dis
tressed over the cries Of "fake,n and
charges that were being SO openly made
that the Marine had quit. He
denied all knowledge of any
thing pertaining to crookedness, but
said that several days ago two men. named
Morrissey and DAILY, had come to his train
ing quarters in Alameda and asked, for
la Blanche, if he (MitchelD would allow
$500 more for the losers end Of the trophy,
and that he had emphatically refused to
do so.
A preliminary three-round contest be-
tween Rochelle and Young Huntington.
the principals in the recent "test case"
was called at $40. They exchanged sew
eral good blows, but did each other little
damage.
THE FIGHT BY ROUNDS.
La Blanche entered the ring at 9:10, and
Mitchell followed a moment later. La
Blanche appeared much more finely
drawn than when he fought Dempsey.
At 9:23 time was called. La Blanche took
the center of the ring, while Mitchell
tented around him. The men finally
came lightly together in clinch, Mitch
en's right falling on the ribs. Mitchell
again led and was stopped by the right in
the mouth. In a lead Mitchell slipped
around the Marines neck, and both went
70 the floor.
Second round-The Marine rushed
Mitchell to the ropes. The latter cleverly
ducked wicked swing and twice landed
on the Marines ribs, causing him to reel.
Mitchell found no difficulty in stopping
the Marine and landing heavily.
Third round-Mitcheil countered with
ms lett on the ear, but caught a sounder
on the chest. La Blanche rushed, but
MITCHELL ducked and lifted him from the
Moor. La Blanche caught a good right
nander on the jaw as he pranced toward
Mitchell, and but for the close of the round
would have been badly uppercut. His at
scmpts to play groggy were jeered by the
spectators.
Fourth round-La Blanche's blows
seemed ineffective, and his swings were
coolly lodged by his opponent. He re-
sorted to clinches when possible.
Fifth Troublesome hot in-hghting, with
little material advantage. marked this
round
Sixth round-Mitcheil got good left on
the Marines cheek. The latter twisted
nm backward to the floor, but apologized
az cries Of foul. He again rushed, but
Mltchell caught him each time on the ribs,
cucklng as he did So Cries of foul were