Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-12-17
MIS- LAST BATTLE.
Andy Bowen Dies from injuries Received in
Fight With George Lavisne.

died Saturday morning at 7;lo O'CLOCK,
while Father Delaney was praying over
his inanimate form He never regained
consciousness from the time the blow
landed. The scene at the house was
most pathetic one. DIR. Z. ID. Martin was
called in at an early hour and did all that
human skill could do to save the life that
hung in the balance, but to no avail.
The mother Of the pugiliss, when he
he would never recover. while his young
wife grew hystercal in her agony.
When the men faced each other for the
18th round. it was apparent that the end
of the fight was near. Bowen had re-
ceived so many righthanders over the
heart that he was weakened and groggy
when he left his corner. He was game,
however, and walked mechanically toward
his strong young adversary. Lavigne
opened with left jab on the neck, and
although the blow was not particul arly
lard one, 1t brought look OF anguish in
1he face of the thoroughly beaten little
man. His mouth was partly open, while
his eyes Wore wild, frightened look. His
cheeks We're bruised and swollen and his
lips We're pulled out The cut over the
left eye was the only color in his pallid
face. His breath was coming in short
gasps, and after breathing for a moment
he would catch his breath
With wonderful gamenesS he would not
finch from the shower of blows raincd on
him by Lavigne, and although his
strength was gone, he tried to fight back.
Bowen was staggered to the ropes by an
onsiaughter of his powerful foe. While
there in a helpless condition and trying to
,linch, Lavigne planted his left over the
heart, and, crossing savagely with his
right, landed a terrible blow on the angle
If the jaw. Bowen fell back like felled
tree and his head struck the floor heavily
Lavigne walked to his corner, while
Duffy Counted the Ten Seconds.
The beaten man was picked up limp and
TO all appearances lifeless by his handlers
md carried to his dressing room.
Between 2 and o'clock in the morning
faithful watchers stood by the dying
pugilist, hoping that his eyes would give
some sign of intelligence. Medical science
racked its brain in search of II remedy,
however violent, that would quicken the
pulse and set the brain to working. At
o'clock DIR. Finney thought that Bowen
had improved, and at that hour he did not
think the fight would have a fatal termi-
nation.
The doctors remained with Bowen to
the end, his wife also standing by his bed
side. Just as the hands of the clock were
.reeping around to Z, Mrs. Bowen leaned
,ver the bed and said: ooh, Andy. say
something to me-" and her ears were
strained to catch the word
Andy shivered and groaned, his frame
shook, and then, without ever having
,ome back to consciou less after Lavigne
had landed, he breathed his last. Those
who saw the fight said that it was not so
much the blow which Lavigne had struck
upon the jaw, but the conclusion produced
by his falling upon the flooring of the
ring. Bowen's body lay on it's back when
reporter saw it early today, and what
ever wound there was on the back Of the
head was not visible. The lips were
swollen and there was tinge of purple
about him, and his rather large face
seemed somewhat larger than usual,
although there was no strong sign of pain
upon it. The features were natural, the
mouth partly open.
The News of Bowen's Death
was made known to Lavigne an his
party shortly after it had been communt
,ated by telephone to the central station.
Lavigne had been detained at the station
With his seconds and attendants all night,
md he slept but little, being anxious
very moment to get tidings from the bed
,ide of the wounded pugilist. Lavigne
vas inexpressibly shocked when he heard
he news of Bowen's death, and expressed
lis profound sympathy for Bowen's wife.
Lavigne was not only sorry for Bowen's
leath, but he was in much apprehension
IS to what would become of himself in con-
lection with the fight, and how long it
vas likely that he would be kept in
,rison Friends assured him that he
would probably have no difficulty in OBJ
aiming his release after the usual formal
ties of the law had been complied with,
nd he need have no fear for the lack of
riends and influence to help him out of
is unfortunate dilemma.
Lavigne and the ring officials were
promptly arrested and brought before the
curt Lavigne was held in $4,000; the
theirs 5000. Duffy, the referee, and
,pitzfaden were the only ones to furnish
,onds
The Dempsey Ryan fight is declared off
Concerning Bowen's injuries, The
rimes- Democrat says: The blow which
ent Bowen down was not one of extra
ordinary force, for it was delivered at very
hort range, but he was so weak as to be
,ble to make no resistance, and falling
,ver backward, the back of his head
truck the unpadded floor of the stage
pon which they had been fighting with
iuch tremendous force that it sounded as
/ the floor had been heavily hit with the
oil of an axe.
When Hall and Fitzsimmons fought in
his same arena, the floor was thickly Gov
red with felt padding, over which sheet
f canvass had been tightly stretched.
Last night, for some unexplained reason,
his padding had been removed, and the
;anvass had been stretched over the bare
boards to the stage.
Had the stage been in this condition
vhen FitZsimmons knocked Hall out,
here appears to be no doubt that Hall
would have been fatally injured, and with
such circumstances fresh in their mem
)ry, it appears almost unaccountable that
he managers of the club should have
aiken such serious risk as that to be in
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