Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-11-22
FlTz KNOCKED DOWN BY AN AMATEUR

Robert Fitzsinnmuns, the Pugil'st, Strikes
Ills Sparing Partner, Con Kiordan, IA
Fatal How During Bout ON the
StaEe-LoCked Up to Await tho Action
of the Coroncr-After the bout an
Amateur HtoEer Deais FitzsimInons IN
Knock down Blow.
SYRACUSE, N. ", Nov. 17.-Con.
Riordan, who was injured last night
in n sparrng contest with Bob Fitz-
simmons, died at the Candee House at
$50 this morning
At about 3 o'clocn he was in the same
state of Inconsistencies which he had
been in all evening, when laborious
breathing and nervous twitching of the
muscles of his face and body warned
the physicians that his death was ap.
preaching.
At 3.i5 o'clock his breathing almost
entirely stopped and at 3.30 DIR. d. NJ,
Totman pronounced him lifcless. AT
his bedside at the time of his death were
three physicians and about 20 members
Of the local sporting fraternity.
Robert FitZsimmons knocked out Con
Riordun, his sparring partner, last night,
in the first round Of his usual exhibit
ton, which closes the programme of his
vaudeville show Jacobs Theatre was
crowded to witness the entertainment
and the audience departed for their
homes, little knowing that Riurdan was
still UNCONSCIOUS. The blow was n
right handler and caught Riorian square
on the chm. He did not fall TO the
floor from the force Of the blow, but
sank slowly until he measured his length
ON the stage.
The accident occurred at 1880 o'clock
and two physicians worked over him
with applications Of electricity for two
hours and half, without being able to
restore him to consciousness. AT 1890
O'clock lie was removed from the theatre
to the Hotel Candee. 1t was stated by
| Manager Glorl that RiOrlan had been
drinking hard all day and that he was
| intoxicated when he came on the stage
| for the Setio.
Immediately after the liiordan incl
| dent, Joseph Dunfee, local sparrcr
| put on the gloves for a two-rUund set 10
with FitZsimmOns. In the second round
Dunfeo Landed Il rIght-hand blow on
| FitZsimm0ns' jaw, resulting in u clean
| knock.down, the first, FttAsmmOns de-
clares, he ever was given. lie was 50
daZed when lie regained his feet that he
could not see Dunfce's hand when il
was extended at the call of time.
Fitzsimmons was arrested shortly
after midnight.
Con Riordan was born in Melbourne
Australia, and was 81 years of age. lie
was 5 feet II inches in height and hi:
fighting weight was 100 pounds When
he was 20 years old lie made his first ap
pearance as boxer and soon aftci
fought six-round draw with Martin
Costello IN San Francisco.
Joe McAulitfe endeavored to stor
Rordan at San Francisco on Angus
18th, 1888, and the contest ended in
four.round draw. At the Golden Cat,
Athletic Club OF San Francisco he me
Australian Billy Smith and was defeated
by HIM in IS rounds. He was then en-
gagged by Peter jackson as u sparrIn!
partner and went to England with hin
but soon returned to this country
Later he was matched III London /,
meet Jack Slavin and on June I'd, 1892
he was beaten by him III 10 rounds
Since that time he has not engaged ii
any pugilistic contests.
"Yauk" Sullivan brought the new
of his sparring partners death to Eitz
simmons.
"AGy God, you don't mean to tell m
Connie is dead" said the pugilist. Z"
can't belicvcit / did not Int him hard
. enough to injure child"
, Fitzsimmons was completely broke
up over the occurrence. He did no
sleep at all last night and refused to ca
anything this morning.
: FitzsimmoDs was arraigned in polio
5 court at IL o'clock on the charge a
5 nanslaughter in the second degree. II
| pleaded not guilty, waived eXamimatio
r and was taken before County .Indp
S Northrup, Who imposed 500 bull.
: "Yunk" Sullivan, the wel.knuw
I referee of pugilistic events, and ca
: Sheriff Thomas II, O'Neill went on I'll
bond and Filzsimmons was released,