The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-21
RIGHT IN KANSAS.
Prize Fight at Galena in Spite
of Gov. MorriH's Effort.
No Attention is Paid to the
Governors Order.
WHY WAS IT IGNORED?
.Purtell Knocked Out Johnson
''the. Terrible Swede."
johnson Terribly Punished and
Unconscious 10 Minutes.
The Sheriff Has Arrested the
Two Principals.
Citizens of Galena Say They
Will Defend Them.
Johnson Terribly Punished and
Unconscious 10 Minutes.
The Sheriff Has Arrested the
Two Principals.
Citizens of Galena Say They
Will Defend Them.

KANSAS CRY, March 81. = Galena,
Kan, mining town in Cherokee
county, was the scene of red hot glove
contest last night, in spite of the orders
of Governor Merrill aud Attorney Gene
raj Dawes that the Purtell- Johnson %
round battle should be stopped at all
hazards.
The citizens of Galena and Cherokee
county, or at least majority, favor the
boxing game and protested vigorously
against the action Of the governor and
attorney general with the result that the
county authorities permitted the contest
to take place. At its conclusion, how
ever, Sheriff Arnold placed Purtell and
johnson under arrest on warrant sworn
out by County Attorney Mcneil.
The people of Galena argue that if the
refined Bostonese allow glove contests or
any contests of this nature, Cherokee
county's citizens should not be prevent
ed from enjoying an occasional meeting
of the gloved glAdiators, especially when
conducted with the decorum that marked
last nights entertainment.
lie contest took place in the opera
house, and was witnessed by as orderly
and quiet 3 crowd as ever gathered
tell had put to sleep the local favorite in
the twsntv-second round of as interest
ing a contest as ever took place in the
west the audience dispersed quietly.
The solid business men of the town
were present. and, it is understood will
prateet tha contestants in any criminal
proceedings that. may result. The at
tendance was light, t,owing to the reports of
interference, the contest being witnessed
L
Leavenworth, Fort Scott, Pittsburg,
Weir City, Columbus, Joplin, Carthage,
Webb City and other mining towns in
the vicinity were all represented by
small deleg cations, who were well pleased
with the sport offered.
About $50 o'clock the fun commenced
with two preliminary friendly bouts be-
tween Oscar Gardner, the 'Omaha Kid"
and Otto Herald, known in the mining
tween Ernmet Melody the Kansas
City amateur and John Robbins
of McCune, Kansas. Gardner had Her
old pretty we'll blown at the close of the
setto, and Robbins, who resorted to
wrestling and burlesque work, was very
much exhausted at the finish.
Enter the Ring.
The principal event of the evening
followed, and after the terms of the con-
test had been stated by the referee, Pur-
tell and johnson entered the ring Pur-
tell was accompanied by kid Gardner
and Melody, while Johnson had John
Robbins and Herold as his esquires.
Little time was wasted in prelimin-
aries, Purtell's seconds winning choice
of corners and choice of gloves, regula-
tfon five ounce mitts. This was consid-
cred lucky omen for the "Saginaw
Kid" and his hackers shook hands with
themselves when the announcement was
made.
johnson Much Larger.
There was marked difference in the
appearance and size of the gladiators.
johnson lowered far above his opponent.
weight 1S5 pounds, at least thirty
pounds more, and was trained to
the minute. Purtell did not look
as strong as usual and did not show
his usual speed, although he was fast
enough to win a most decisive victory
over the giant of the mining camps.
There was no betting at the ring side,
but several hundred dollars were wa
gered on the streets before the contest
opened, even money being the rule
Promptly at 10 o'clock the trouble be
gan and before the end of the first round
1t was evident that Purtell would be the
winner. They spared cautiously but
Purtell finally landed straight left jar
that cut JOhnson'S upper lip. PurtelPE
claim of first blood was made and allow
ed.
Bled at the Mouth.
In the second round PurtelI followed
up his left hand jabs in the face anC
Johnson's lips began to swell up. John
son however was not to be repelled and
vainly endeavored to force the fighting
but Purten was too shifty and side
slipped and ducked out of danger from
Johnson's vicious leads
Purtell found Johnson's bleeding
mouth repeatedly in the third and land.
ed right on the left ear that set the
bees buzzing in Johnson's head anG
started a little streak of blood from hi
ear.
Three Hot Ones.
In the fourth johnson landed gooC
on the body, but Purtell countered anG
Tushlng IN placed three hot ones OIL
Jonnsons head, face, and neck, and b,
clever ducking escaped the giants wik
swings and rushes.
Purtell again visited Johnson's left ea,
with his right and landed soaker on hi
right eye with a straight left hand lead
receiving several stiff ones on the bod,
and head in the hot rally that followed
Porteu again reached Johnson's fac,