Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-25
A DRAWN BATTLE.
FOUR HUNDRED SPORTS WITNESS THE HOW
LgY-RILEY CONTEST At SEIBERT'S LAST
Night-A Ten-ROund Scientific Contest Mid the
Widest Excitsmsn!-Howley Put Up Cams
Batle-Great DOding and Clever Sprint
ing-Scenss At the Ring Side.


Gus spirits and filed with fresh ideas
on the istic art rolled into the city on
the Elm Grove railroad right from the
scene of one of the liveliest pugilistc
encounters seen in Wheeling for sever
al years.
1t was the occasion Of the long-talked
of Riley-Howley contest for purely
scientific points. The contestants were
Ed. Riley of Washington, D. c., and
Mike Howley OF Dewsbury, England,
now visiting relatives in Pittsburg.
Such an interest had the match created
that nearly all the prominent sports in
town hied themselves to the scene Of
the conflict. There were also many
well-known business and professional
men in the throng.
Most of the people took the $3.50
motor and FIVE cars were loaded to
their utmost capacity. Upon reaching
Seibert's Garden there was general
scramble from the cars, all anxious to
obtain good seats in the big hall, and as
the long line of sports trailed over the
glistening snow up to the entrance OF
the building, the scene reminded one Of
the pictures of the palmy Heenan.
Sayers days OF conflict.
The fight took place in ,the large
hall on the second floor OF the
pavilion sand before going upstairs
many stopped in the restaurant below
to regale themselves before the battle.
In the centre of the large upstairs was
built large 24-foot ring elevated sever
al feet from the level of the floor, and
all around the square were placed seats,
those some distance from the ring be-
ing arranged in the amphitheatre style.
Although the fight was announced to
begin at 10 o'clock the crowd was a
long time gathering within the hall,
and the many preliminary arrangements
occupied nearly half hour, so that 1t
was after IL o'clock before the contest
ants opened war.
1t was interesting to note how eager
ly every preliminary movement was
watched by the excited throng, even to
the crushing of the rosin on the floor or
the ring, the placing of the buckets at
the respective corners, the rubbing
down of the contestants, and partlcu-
larly the opening remarks Of the Presi-
dent of the PaStime Club, under whose
auspices the fight was given. After
all were seated breathlessly awaiting
the contest, Benjamin Cox, President of
the Club, climbed into the ring, and
made a formal address in which he
stated the terms under which the fight
took place, and requested that no noise
or unruly conduct prevail, also all with
in the hall TO refrain from smoking
during the progress of the fight. This
announcement was received with rounds
of applause.
The fight was ten-round contest Tor
scientific points, Marquis OF Queens
berry rules governing, the rounds
being three minutes each.
At 11:15 the two contestants stepped
into the ring, and each donned pair of
fYe-ounce gloves. Howley's second was
James Rowan, of Steubenville, and
Riley's second Mike Waring. President
Cox was proceeding to referee the fight
when a dispute arose, certain parties on
the outside claiming the club had no
right to choose their own referee, and
in the lively chorus OF voices that en-
sued George Mayer, who was interested
in Howley, as well as James Filan, took
an active part. There was war
of words for some time, in which
a chorus OF voices all over the hall in
termingled. President Cox threw up an
arm TO restore quiet, and announced in
stentoriau tones that it was customary
for all such Clubs as the Crescent OF
~, hn IN
Club of California to choose their own
referees on all the great tStic encoun-
tiers. "Now, gentlemen, is not that SOP"
eyes, it is" mo, no." Let the
president referee" Put him out"
LET US pick the man." were a few of
the sounds that rent the air. For awhile
a bedlam looked imminent. Finally
Riley jumped out of his corner, rushed
up to Mayer, and asked him who was
running this fight. A lively discussion
prevailed, but finally order was restored
and a compromise was effected satisfac-
tory to all, President Cox retired from
the stage, and Francis Coughlin, of East
Wheeling was placed in the position of
referee.
Time was then called. Riley made
for Howley's head, but the latter
lodged handsomely, Riley again made
for H0wley's head, but the blow was
lodged. Here time was called, and the
men had only been fighting half
minute. Something was wrong to be
sure, and constant inquiries went up
all over the hall. 1t seems that the
time-keeper was one Dump Sherman,
al q a1
laire, who is remembered as the in
stigator of pony races in years
gone By. Now Dump had some tangle-
foot in mis- system last night, and he
scarcely knew whether he was in
Wheeling or Paris. The result was he
got the time mixed up, and instead Of
three minutes, the hands on the watch
got blurred, and he pulled the curtain
al one-half minute. This was too
much for the crowd, and be was soon
relegated TO the rear. Patrick Given
was then chosen to hang on to the time
piece. The first round did not count
and the fight had to commence all over
again.
First Round-Howley led off striking
Riley in the left ear. Then followed
close mitigating. Howley then drove
Riley back Howley then made break
for Riley's left side. and got there. The
men then clinched, and the round then
closed with Howley landing a blow on
Riley's back. Howley is smaller in
stature than Riley, and more thickly
set. AT the conclusion Of this round
there were cries Of Fifty dollars How
ley stays ten rounds" but there were
no takers.
Second Round-Rlley led off with a
singer Cd HowleY's face, and the men
then clinched. After little cautions
sparring a nd clever lodging Howley
made dive for Riley's body, driving
him back nearly against the ropes. The