The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-11

whom Jem Mace sprung on the public as a
worid-beater; Steve Taylor, Sullivan's
sparring companion for years, who died of
consumption a year or two ago in New
York; Pete Mccoy and Mike Gillespie.
There was q standing offer by the manage
ment of purse OF $1,000 to whoever
would stay with the champion for four
rounds, and of course, in every town there
was some misguided bruiser who was will
ing to take sound humping for chance
at the rich prize.
Three weeks before the date set for the
company to show in Seattle there arrived
in town logger named Lang,
who announced his intention to put on
the gloves with Sullivan. The new
conner was from the backwoods, where.
according to his own reports, he had
been the victor in at least 100 barrooms
fights. He had followed Sullivan over
the country for some time, watching his
style OF fighting, and at length came to
the conclusion that he had enough
pointers" to enable him to tackle the
great tighter. To the Seattle sports he
told the most wonderful stories of his
prowess. and partly persuaded some of
them into the belief that he would not
decidedly lively for his opponent.
Chief OF Police Bolton Rogers, who was
a resident of Seattle at the time. relates
with relish the story Of Lang training for
the encounter. He put himself in charge
OF old Bill Davis, broken-down prize
fghter, who was about the only represent
stive of the short-haired fraternity then in
Seattle. Davis had at one time been some
III II G-l
living by training athletes, giving lessons
TO an occasional pupil and by managing
sparring exhibitions. He had taken a
japanese woman for a wife, and the
strangely-matched couple had two young
sons. These little fellows always had a
sparring bout IN the shows given by their
father. Lang did most of his training in
running, using the Jackson street bridge.
which had been built but short time be-
fore and stood out apart without any ada
cent buildings, as running track 1t was
n cold weather, but the aspiring fighter al
ways stripped down TO suit of red flannel
underelothing to do his running. A
party OF misehieyoas young sports, who
pretended great interest in the training
work, held their watches on Lang while
be ran. and urged him to greater efforts
~ their loud praises of his speed If he
ever had any nerve or stamina il was
probably run out of him before the time
came for him TO be put to the test.
When the night of the exhibition by the
Sullivan aggregation came. old Yesler hall
was veritable sardine box. II was the
largest public hall ia the city, and stood
on the southeast corner OF Front aud
Cherry streets, Inside il was about 30xiOO
feet. standing room only" did not be-
gin so express the packed condition of the
house. Eager spectators roasted on the
windows, some of them high above the
floor on top of scenery which had been
taken from the stage and leaned against
the walls. and in every other available
nook. On the outside, men and bows
struggled 10 get a glimpse of the far
famed pugilist through the windows or by
any other opening.
After several preliminary bouts between
the members of the company the master
OF ceremonies announced 10 the impatient
crowd that Lang would endeayor TO stand
before Sullivan for four rounds for the
coveted purse. When the two men walked
out on tie stASe roar went up that fairly
shook the building. The logger VA. him
self man Of Herculean form. and to
those no had watched his training an
peared a splendid specimen of manhood.
As he stood mp with Sullivan, however.
the champions magnificent proportions
made him seem plgmy. Lang. too,
seemed to recognize this fact, for, as he
looked over the eonqueror OF Paddy RYAN
he began to tremhls ike an aspen leaf.
But visions of that s. 200 served 70 brace
him mp, and he teei the scratch The
two men shook hands and squared of.
What followed happened with such rapid
ijy that very few present. Lang anon.
others, could comprehend it. But two
blows Of the hst were given. and both of
these came from she champion. One was
. light tap, IS If 10 get the head
Of the victim in posItIoR. Then
like lash came terrific upper cut that
lifted Lang OF his feet and landed him in
quIvering heapon the stage. The fallen
man. in $ aszed condition, attempted 70
rise, but fell hack PROSTATE and lay until
the tme-keeper counted of ten seconds.
Then, after one or two failures, he man
aged 20 scrau ole 10 his feet and staggered
off the stage. The blow which knocked
him out had splis open his face from q
point alongside Of the nose clear down 10
the chin. Behind tie -enes Sullivan met
The injured man and. in his usual sener-
Gus fashion. thrust IS into his hands, tell
ing him to 90 and have his face cared for.
Lang at once repaired 20 the Office of DR..
Rufus Willard, who dressed his wound
and for his ksryices ehzrxss a fas If "A