The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-16
BOWEN DIES FROM THE BLOW.
He Never Regained Consciousness
After His Fall.


New Orleans, La, Dec. 15.-Andy Bowen,
the New Orleans lightweight pugilist.
who was knocked unconscious last night
at the Auditorium Club in a glove contest
with Kid Lavigne of Saginaw. Mich, in
the eighteenth round, never regained con-
seriousness and died at 7:15 o'clock this
morning. Lavigne and his seconds and
time-keeper, consisting of Pugilist Jim
Hall, Sam Fitzpatrick, Martin Murphy
and George Consadine, and also Referee
John Duffy, were at once placed under
arrest.
In the eighteenth round of the fight
Lavigne rushed and landed hard on the
wind and neck three or four times. Bowen
swung wildly and Lavigne sent in his
right like a rocket and Bowen fell as
limp as a rag and was counted out while
the crowd cheered. Bowen was picked up
and carried to his corner. He was dead
TO the world for several minutes. He
struck his head on the floor in falling.
After being taken to his corner he re-
mained unconscious and the crowd, which
pushed around the ring, became fright
ened. Lavigne was led to the center of
the ring and loudly applauded. Bowen
was carried limp and senseless from the
ring by his seconds to his room, where
Drs. Finney, Schubert and Hannah waited
to bring him to. There was great excite
ment in the mans room and fear that he
was about to die was entertained by all
present. DR.. Hannah who has had much
practice in conditions of this kind said
Bowen was evidently suffering from con-
cussion of the brain. One Of the bad
symptoms was that the pupils of his eyes
were of different colors and spell of vom-
iting caused the mans friends much alarm.
The knockout blow was this: Lavigne
tented with his right and as Bowen ducked
Lavignes elbow caught Bowens chin. As
Bowen Strengthened up Lavignes right
caught him on the point Of the jaw and
Bowen fell back, his head striking the plat
form with full force.
Lavigne and his party were arrested, but
upon Bowen recovering consciousness were
released.
Upon the death of Bowen shortly af-
ter o'clock this morning, however. war
rants were at once issued for the arrest of
every one connected with the fight in an
official capacity.
Bowen breathed his last at his home,
in the presence of his wife and small
assemblage of friends, without having re-
gained consciousness from the time he
fell in the ring. Mayor Fitzpatrick, as
soon as he reached his office to-day, is
sued an order revoking the permit for
the fight between Dempsey and Ryan to-
night.
Bowen was 81 years of age He was
born in New Orleans and had lived here
all his life. 1t is generally believed that
the fatal outcome of the fight will kill
prize lighting in New Orleans.
Lavigne is much shocked over the re-
suit of the fight.
Bowen's funeral has been fixed for 10
o'clock Monday. Billy Layton was ar
rested at o'clock this morning, after
Bowen died. He said that he had kicked
against the ring yesterday, because 1t had
no felt under the canvass, but Bowen said
it was all right and he was willing to
fight.
Lavigne was arraigned in court this
morning. He was held in $4,000 bail. All
the accessories, Duffy, Consadine, Muir
ply, Jim Hall. Spitzfadden and Layton
were held in 5000 bail. Prof. Duffy gave
bail and Hall and Spitzfadden were also
released.
Coroner Lawrason, assisted by Drs. E.
Denegre Martin and John Lawrens and a
jury of five men, held an autopsy and in
quest on Bowens body this afternoon
at l o'clock. The verdict was that death
resulted from, conclusion of the brain.
Coroner Lawrason, after the inquest said
that the death of Bowen was probably
caused by his head striking the hard floor,
for If it was caused by the blow his neck
would have broken.
The attorney general to-day notified the
Olympic and Auditorium clubs that no
more fights shall take place here until the
case pending in court has finally been dis
posed Of The management of the two
clubs notified the attorney general that
they would acquiesce in his demands.
Lavigne was released on $4,000 bonds
to-dav- and the seconds of both fighters
and Referee Duffy, who are held as ac-
cessories, were released on 5000 bond.
The hearing of the case will come on on
Jan. before Judge Aucoin of this city.