The morning call., 1893-02-26
BEATEN TO DEATH
Miller Dies From Hawkins
Blows.
CEREBRAL ARTERY RUPTURED
The Police Permitted the Contest to
Proceed, Although Asked to Stop
1.-THE Principals Jailed.

In the arena AZ the California Athletic
Club corner Of Howard and New Mont
gomery streets on Friday night last between
SEQ and IOO0 individuals, including a squad
of the city's police under command Of Ser
gean, Cole Of the Southern station, saw Dal
Hawkins beat Billy Miller to death in a So
called prize ghtfor purse Of $3.50.
The average man who reads Of the gladi-
t0rial eombats in ancient Rome finishes his
book with the outspoken comment that those
who said Kill, kill" when the victorious
warrior had his foe at his mercy were saw
ages, and yet some Of the selfsame men sat
Oh the benches il the California arena Fri
day night and watched butchery far more
horrible, for the victim was not killed at one
thrust of the sword or one blow of the AK,
but beaten to death, and that by the consent
of scores of people and officers OF the law
who could have prevented the killing at any
time they saw fl TO do so.
Dal awkins, the prize fighter who killed
his antagonist is perhaps least deserving
Of censure Of all the crowd that witnessed
the fight, and surely is less blamable than
the officers and men who stood around the
ring Not alone was he unduly excited by
the con lict in which his antagonist proved
well worthy of the exerti0n Of all his
proves as a fighter, but when he begged
those who had charge Of the contest TO end
It he was ordered 10 go on and fight, and
even called coward because OF his ex-
pressed desire TO save beaten antagonist
further punishment Even the request of
one Of his seconds. Spider" Kelly, to stop
The fight in the thirteenth round, made TO
The police in the hearing of a score OF men,
was unheeded by the officers, and they al
owed the bruised, bleeding and helpless
boy TO come up again and again TO receive
further punishment and finally be killed.
Within the past i've years three men nave
been killed 10 the prize ring in San Fran
cisco. and one so terribly injured that he is
10 longer able to earn his living Cuff
killed his antagonist Avery, at the Gre
nOrne; Mcbride killed La Rue at the Gold
en- Gate Club. on Stevenson street; Rlpgy
almost killed the Terrible Swede" and left
him a cripple, and now Hawkins kills
Miller, and all these deaths occurred under
The eyes ana by the sanction Of the police,
Tor at every fight the officers were present
aud empowered 10 stop the fight whenever
I should become dangerous to either man
10 the ring
This last fight 10 which, on Friday night.
poor little William hansen, alias BILLY"
Miller, met his death has already been de-
lcTlbed, but brief resume of the con test is
necessary IN order that the public may un-
1eTstand how thoroughly apathetic were
The police and spectators who wanted to
zee Knockout" even if it cost life.
Strong as the assertion is there is proof to
warrant it.
Both Hawkins and Miller (Hansen) were
of the feather weight class and fought at
122 pounds. Hawkins has had many battles
for young man, and is considered not only
a hard hitter but a yeryscientife one. Hansen,
or Miller, as he was known in the ring, was
Dane. very strong, rugged, and with an I'M
limited amount Of courage and endurance,
but having no science. From the start of
the fight it was evident that Miller's only
hope was to land a chance blow where il
would disable bis opponent.
Ten rounds were fought and Miller was
mass Of bleeding flesh, while Hawkins
was untouched. Humane men, and there
were few os thsm in the audience, called
cut to stop the fight, but Miller's seconds
refused TO throw MP the sponge and the
police refused 10 interfere. The fight went
on. Eleven. twelve rounds were fought,
and then Spider" Kelly, one of the sec
onds of Hawkins, appealed 10 the pOlice.s
why don's soG stop tile fght9" he said.