The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-26
Notorious Columbian Athletic Club,
Hotel and saloon Destroyed
Early Last Night.
A GOOD CITIZENS sPAsM
CRAwFoRDSyILLER RETURNS TO HEn
FORMER SUNDAY CoNDUcr.
Death of DIR. Noble II. Howard at Green
feld-Pooi Room Gamblers Ar
rested at Hammond.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
HAMMOND. Ind, Aug. 25.-At O'clock
this evening the prize-hghting arena az
Roby was burned to the ground. and with
4. was consumed the hotel and saloon adj
joining. owned by Prof James Robertson.
who is well known in sporting circles The
fire originated in the top story OF the hotel
and was first discovered when IL burst
through the roof The building was
frame and burned rapidly. In ten minutes
after the fire was discovered IL had spread
to the arena which was also frame build
ing and in half an hour both buildings were
totally consumed. Nothing could be learned
tonight as to whether any insurance was
carried on either OF the buildings.
The arena was built in the spring OF 1893.
by the Columbian Athletic Club. at q cost
OF about $4,000. and It's history is well
known throughout the country. The club
was organized under the celebrated Me-
Hugh law, passed by the. Legislature IN
1898. one section OF which gave permission
to hold exhibitions OF science and skill
Dominick O'Malley was president and
Chas. Meyer secretary. The first fight pulled
Off was between Martin Costello and Billy
Woods, which resulted in draw. The
principals and their assistant together with
the referee. George Siler, we're arrested
and takn to Crown Point. Several other
events were pulled off in the building. when
finally Governor Matthews took the matter
in hand and sent a detachment OF the state
militia TO the scene and placed Benjamin
r. Hayes, OF Crown Point. IN possession
az receiver for the Columbian Athletic
Club This action put a stop TO the price
fighting there, and ever since the building
hQ hear Qfa fHA
came up for trial at Crown Point. Costello.
who had been indicted under the riotous-
conspiracy act. was the first TO be tried
A change of venue was prayed for by tho
defendant and Judge Gillett called Judge
b. NJ. Langdon. OF Lafayette, to try the
case. The trial lasted several days and re-
suited in the jury returning a verdict Of
guilty and sentencing the defendant 10 two
years in States prison, but before the SEN
tence was pronounced by the judge Costello
he l ns resns 1ai ana webs be 10 o Sansas where
compromised by the payment OF fines az
gregating $1,000. A movement was on foot
to have the next Democratic national con-
vention held in the arena, but that viii
now have TO be abandoned
There .s no cause given for the fire to-
night. 1t was probably of incendiary origin
Roby Gambl Rafded
Special to the indianapolis journal.
HAMMOND, Ind. Aug 25.--Sheriff Havs
and Chief Of Police Malo made a raid on a
pool room at Roby, and with assistance Of
a number OF Chicago police succeeded in
arresting seven OF the operators. who were
taken to Crown Point and placed under
bonds Of 200 each to appear for trial to-
morrow morning. The building Is located
alrectly on the State line. part OF IL being
In Indiana and part in Illinois and the oper-
ators considered themselves safe from
arrest on that account. believing that
| .
make raid they conii escspe
in the adjoining State. But officers
from both Chicago and this county arrived
on the scene at the same time. The Chi
cago police drove the culprits over to the
Indiana side, when Sheriff Hays sterped In
and arrested them. All the parties gave as
sumed names, but IL is well known that
Paddy" Ryan. OF prize-fighting fame n
back of the concern.