Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-09-06
THE FIGHT DID NOT COME OFF.
Over Seven Hundred Angry and
Disappointed Sports.

They Wont Three Miles Boyond Newark
for the Purpose of Witnessing the
Moriarity- fcConnell Mil but stannard
Would Not Allow IL to Come OF in the
Open Air.
Newark was the rendezvous Monday
night for the sportsmen Of Wilmington
and for several hours the carriage road
between this city and the college town
was Kept hot by travel.
The occasion of this late hour invasion
was the quiet tip passed around in the
city that the "mill" between G. j.,
Moriarity and Ed. Mcconnell would
take place at Strickersville, Pa, near
Newark. Accordingly, for sports all
roads lod Newarkward and by midnigh.
as many as 30 conyeyances, from a
closed cab to a carryall, had poured
their contents into that town, the b. &
.. trDlns bringing many more. The
CROWD was good natured and thirsty and
the beer supply of local hotel very
soon gave out.
At first il was very hard to get details
OF the coming fight, every ono being
reticent. Soon it was found that no
interference was to be expected from
the local authorities and tongues became
loose. The ring was to be pitched at u
point three miles north of Newark,
where the Delaware and Maryland State
lines meet, the scene of several notable
battles in the past. The spot was
quietly selected late Yesterday afternoon
and among the first to arrive in Newark,
at 10 O'Clock by train, was MOriarity,
with a-half hundred "pards." He was
in good condition aud drove at once to
the place of meeting.
Mcdonnell arrived later in closed
carriage with his hackers and handlers,
and went to a hotel to sleep and await
the hour. Betting was very free indeed,
Morlafity being the decided fayorite
with odds ten to seven.
IF you bet your last coin on Mort.
arity putting Mcconnell to sleep before
the sixth round, you won't get left. |
tell you that's a straight tip and don't
forget 1t now" and the tough who so
| delivered himself almost swallowed a
cigar end in his enthusiasm over Will
mlngton's fsyorite slugger, who has
been winning right along Of late.
Botn men We're in tirst-class condition
| and had trained down to 1870 pounds,
| there beng hardly pounds difference
between them. The expectant crowd,
hungry for good fight, hurried TO the
scene Of combat, near Strickersville,
and gathering in the selected field,
awaited the coming mill.
But cruel disappointment awaited
them. Tony Stannard, McConnell's
manager, kicked against fighting in the
| open ar. lie insisted that the light was
| to be under cover, SO that admission
could be charged, and although there
were fully 700 people present he said it
| would he impossible TO get enough
money for the fight to pay for the
trouble. The absence Of lights he also
considered a fatal objection.
Moriarity's hackers stormed and
| threatened, but it was no use. Stannard
| was obdnrate and there was nothing to
do but dispense and stragglc back to
| Wilmington. Mcconnell, meanwhile,
was soundiy sleeping in u hotel al
| Newark.
WHAT MoRIARITY SAID.
Moriarity was mad at the failure, and
before leaving the grounds, so it is re-
| ported, said; II will fight Mcconnell
for $500 and cur professional reputa.
ton. AS for Tony Stannard, I'll twist
his neck, anyway, when | get back to
Wilmington"
| WHAT MCCONNELL SAID.
Edward Mcconnell stated that his
understanding was that the fight would
take place under cover. He did moi
consider it right to undertake to fight il
an open lot without lights. He added
Il will fight Moriarity, in private. fol
| the 500 stake, any day this week. NJ
any time and place he may select"