Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-29

Some Charges of Crookedness Made by
the Spectators

The Rowan-Smith prize fight which
took place Tuesday night was the topic
OF conversation to the exclusion OF al
others in sporting and some other cir
cles Yesterday. Smith left on an early
train for Columbus. while Rowan re,
NAMED In the city during the DAY ana
left for Steubenville last night. he
nursed a very sore hand, but otherwise
showed no visible marks of punishment.
Rowan first developed as puglllst
while on a British man-of-war, and de-
feated Geo. Benson in two hours ana
FORTY minutes. He has fought and de-
feated in light weight contests George
Frankner, Tom Sullivan, Johnny Muir
ply, Jack Daniels, Owen MAO
new, Ed. Thomas, Jack Daily, Ed.
Barry. Jimmy Kelly, Mick Flanagan
and Jerry Sullivan. He is alleged 10
have been matched to fight Jimmy Wee
den, OF Pittsburg, and the Belfast
Spider twice, but both backed out. he
has fought a ten-round draw with Mar
tin Dempsey, also with Joe Ridge. he
was matched to fight Tommy Warren,
but Warren souealed. His last bout
was with Jack McAulifGe, champion
light weight OF the world, and although
Rowan was punished severely McAul-
life failed TO put him asleep.
All of the spectators agree that IL
was clever exhibition of science, out
the number of persons who on the night
of the battle expressed the opinions
mat it was a flake" contest were
greatly augmented yesterday, and there
were many open charges OF crooked
ness and unfairness. a gentleman well
I'D in boxing states that Rowan had no
right to strike his opponent after he
was down, according to Marquis OF
Oueeusbury rules, out should have re-
tired TO his corner and waited ten sec
onds for Smith to regain his feet.
Rowan, in conversation with REGIS
TER reporter on this point, stated tnat
Smith struck at him while down, thus
placing him in the position OF self-de-
feuse, and he had right to return the
blow. 1t was also frequently remarked
that when the men were clinched Row
an struck his opponent several times
while Smith did not.
In subStantiation OF the charge that
those on the "inside" knew how the
battle was going TO result and piaced
their bets accordingly, many persons
called attention to the fact that Smith
got number Of blows in on his antag-
onist during his rush in the final round,
and when time was called, ran TO his
corner yet did not respond when time
was again called. The opinion was held
By many that Smith was not unable To
toe the scratch, as he was brought
around all right within minute and
appeared to be good for number OF
rounds more.
Pertinent to the subject is very In
teresting story told by well known
Steubenville man who witnessed the
battle, and which, if true. makes the
story that it was "a "fake" battle very
plausible. The men claimed to be en-
tire strangers before the battle and said
they never saw each other until they en-
tered the ring. As soon as Smith ap-
reared the Steubenville man claimed to
recognize him as song and dance
artist with q company which
showed at Steubenville, and left
there three weeks ago for Parkersburg.
He claimed to have had conversation
with Smith in Steubenvllle and said be
could not be mistaken. Two other Steu-
benville men are certain that Smith and
the actor are Identical.
Whether the fight was 'square" or
not all who attended witnessed clever
exhibition and "gOt their dollars
worth"