Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-17


was made up OF four coaches aud an
engine. The crowd was, almost to q
man, friendly to Howley and confident
that he would win. In consequence,
they returned a few hours later with
lighter purses and heavier hearts. A
number Of bets were made on the trip,
but most Of the Wheeling mOney was
for Howley. For once there was no
suspicion expressed regarding the fight,
and the general opinion that IL would
be contested upon the merits OF the
men was in q measure responsible for
the Dig crowd OF sports, who parted
with s. each 70 witness the battle.
HOwley and his trainer, his hacker, and
his second, WOngO, the Indian puglI-
ist, were on the train.
The first stop was made az Martin
Ferry, where the crowd was sweiled
considerably. The train then proceed
ed without incident, until Laurrelton
was reached This was the home or
Gillespie, and there was a large crowd
of curious persons about the platform
at the little mining station. The coal
miner pugilist and his party were not
the only persons who boarded the train.
EIGHT DEPUTY sHERIFFs
of Jefferson county climbed into the
cars. Matters began 10 look ominous.
The Gillespie faction notified Howleys
party, and q hurried consultation was
held while the train was pulling away
from Laurellton. IL was the intention
to have the fight take place In an old
cotton mill near Adeua, and Il was rep
resented 10 the Wheeling contingent
that there would be no police interier-
ence. The presence OF the county OH
GERS caused change 10 the plans. The
train had not proceeded a mile from
Laurellton, when il was stopped, aud it
was decided TO 60 back into Belmont
county, where the officers would have
no Jurisdiction. The train backed slow
ly until the first telegraph station was
reached, where 10 was learned
that the track was clear. Portland
and Tiltonville were passed, on the re-
turn trip, and the crowd began 20 man
ifest signs Of uueaSineSs. When the
train arrived at the little mining village
OF Yorkville, the conductor pulled the
bell rope, and the engine stopped at the
rude platform. The Gillespie crowd,
numbering half hundred people,
bOasted OF the ability Of their man, and
freely asserted that HOwiey would not
lat more than two rounds. A more
cdufdent lot Of men never saw tighter
enter the ring.
AN AMUSING INCIDENT.
When the train stopped at Gillespie's
home, an amusing Incident occurred.
Gillespie comes from a family OF fight
ers. Two brothers have attained q
local reputation as pugiliSts, and this
reputation extends to the female MEM
bers of the family. GIllespie's wife and
sister were in the crowd at the station.
When the train stopped, they walked
through the cars. both bare-headed,
and the wife carrying in her arms babe
a few months old. The sister was
pointed out as a woman who "cOuld
lick Jimmy" GilleSpie's friends as
serted that she was "handy with her
dukes" and few of the boys had the
courage to face her with the gloves.
Gnlespy's wife walked the entire
length of the train, hunting for her hus-
bands opponent She finally discovered
Howley 10 a rear car wrapped Up In his
overcoat She frankly extended her
hand, and said she wanted the honor of
shaking hands with Howley. Then she
Informed Mike that cher Jimmy" would
settle him in two rounds. HOwley re-
ceived her prediction gOod-naturedly,
aud the crowd looked on admiringly.
Fully 800 people got of the ears at
Yorkvllle, and stood ia the drilling
rain while the principals were selecting
q spot for the battle. The rain was Of
the penetrating sort which chills the
marrow ia ones bones, but it did not
dampen the enthusiasm OF the sports.
THE PLACE SELECTED
for the battle was 3 spot between the
county line and the c., l.. & w. tracks,
about 200 yards south OF the coal works.
ct was slightly hilly and the ground
was uneven and covered with water, but
II was the only available place, aud q
half dozen men at once started 60 work
10 prepare it for the battle, The holes
were filed with einderS, and little
grading done. Then the stakes were
driven IN with two or three axes and
the rODeS stretched. Between
the ring and the railroad track
was an empty store room, used
20 store oil for tho miners. The mine
SUPERINTENDENT kindly permitted the
reporters to use the rear windows,
which afforded shelter from the storm,
and an excellent view Of the ring. It
rained continually while the prepara-
tions were being made. A number OF bets
were made even, upon the result Of the
fight, the Gillespie crowd appearing
more willing to stake their money on
their favorite than the Wheeling crowd.
A big wrangle took place about the
size of the ring. Gillespie's friends in
sisted on sixteen feet, which would
have meant a plain advantage % Giles
pie on account of bis whirlwind tactics.
The other side fought strenuOusly for
twenty-fOur foot ring, and the matter
was finally compromised. Then came
the choice OF referee,
which preciDitated another war
Of words GlleSpie's hacker wanted
man named Mullen, who was unknown
TO the Wheeling crowd. Jimmy Rowan
was suggested, and after further
wrangling he was finally chosen.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE BATTLE.
Then WongO, the Indian, and John
Gillespie, who acted as seconds for
Howley and Gillespie respectively,
tossed coin for the choice of corners
The "coal digger" won, ga selected
the southwest corner. This was an
other advantage, as the ground In the
enclosure sloped gradually toward the
opposite corner. wheeling complained,
and TO even ma erS, q shovel was pro-
cured and one H0Wley'S hackers pro-
ceeded TO reno the bill TO his corner,