The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-17
THE DEATH OF BOWEN.
Tho Latest Prize Fight Fatality May End
PugiItsm, at Least In New Orleans.


PugiItsm, at Least In New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 16.-In the parlor
of little cottage on Thalia street lies
all that is mortal OF Andy Bowen, the
best lightweight the south has pro-
duced, and one OF the Quickest fighters
who ever entered prize ring. Pugilist
Lavigne's blow, which ended his fight
with Bown at the Auditorium Friday
night, proved fatal. Bowen never re.
gained consciousness from the time he
went down before Lavigne. and at 7:l5
Saturday morning he breathed his last.
The physicians who had been called
into Bowen's room at the club, alter the
fight, accompanied him home. and, re-
inforced by the family physician, re-
NAMED with him to the end. The cor
oner's jury declare the cause OF death
TO be conclusion OF the brain, but failed
to determine whether it was produced
by Lavigne's blow or by Bowen's head
striking the floor OF the ring. The legal
proceedings in connection with the fatal
tight have hardly terminated yet. The
grand Jury, it is thought, will take the
matter up on Monday, and the states
attorney will press to conclusion the
suit against the Olympic club. in which
the legitimacy OF these glove contests is
involved.
Between 2 and 7 o'clock this morning
faithful watchers stood by the dying
pugilist'a side, hoping that his eyes
would give some sign OF intelligence.
At o'clock DR.. Finney thought Bowen
had improved, and at that hour ho did
not think that the fight would have a
fatal termination. and in reply to re-
quest from the chief OF police. DR.. Fin
ney sent a certificate say ing that Bowen
was better. 1t was message or relief
10 Lavigue and Duffy and the seconds
Of Lavigne, who had not been arrested
until Bowen's condition became alarm
ing and who were waiting to hear that
the unconscious pugillst had come back
to life. A few hours later, surrounded
by the physicians, his wife and mother,
the pueilist died.
The news OF Bowen's death was made
known to Lavigne and his party shortly
after it had been communicated by tele-
phone to the central station. Lavigne
had been detained at the station with
his seconds and attendants all night
aud he slept but little, being anxious
every moment to get tidings from the
bedside OF the wounded pugi!ist. La
yigne was shocked when he heard the
news OF Bowen's death and expressed
his profound sympathy for Bowen's
wife.
Lavigne was arraigned with his man
ager, Sam Fitzpatrick, Jim Hall and
NT,,rnh,, hio oanNpIu mud RiIIV
Mccarthy, Albert Spitziaden, Billy lay
ton, Bowen's seconds, George Considine,
Lavigne's timekeeper, and Prof. John
Duffy, the referee OF the fight.
Lavigne was charged with murder,
the others being charged as accessories
to the act. Sergeant McCabe made the
aiIidavits against them, and when they
were all arraigned before Judge Aucoin
he placed Lavigne under $1,000 bond
and the others under 81, 900 bond each.
Mr.. Guilaune went on the bonds OF
Duffy and Spitzfaden for 5000 each.
and these parties were released. D.
O'Mally signed LNvigno's bond for Sl0.-
900, and the bonds OF Billy McCarty,
Sam Fitzpatrick and Martin Murphy
for $1,000 each. Mr.. L. A. Gourdain
signed the bonds OF George Considine
and Billy Layton.
Lavicne was asked regarding the
death OF Bowen and the arrest OF the
participants in the fight:
~ regret it very much, indeed" he
replied. Bowen was good fighter
and one OF the pluckiest fellows ever
met. 1t ia gross injustice to me. how
ever, to say that the Knockout blow |
gave Bowen caused his death. That
blow was hardly Knockout lick at all.
1t was the force OF the fall which killed
poor Bowen" Prof. Duffy said the az
fair would come near killing prize fight
ing in New Orleans. January YVES set
by Judge Aucoin as the date for hear
ing OF the case.
DALLAS, Ten, Dec. l5.-.James J. Cor
bett to-day said, relative to Bowen's
death:
~ do not know what kind OF blow
Lavigne used, but it must have been a
terrible one. Bowen's death vii! hurt
pugilsm, aud makes mo more eager
than ever to get out Of the business"
URBANA, O., Dec. l5.-John L. SnlIi-
van was seen at the Market square the
atre tonight, whore his company ap-
pears. He said that the blow on the
Jaw OF Bowen could not have resulted in
death, but the fall. striking on the back