The record-union., 1896-12-12

1t can be said that Van Buskirk is not
clever with either of his fists. His
whole aim seems to be to crowd his
man into a corner or against the ropes
and then rush blindly in, break down his
guard by wild swings of those powerful
arms, and when he gets an opening land
the right, as Sullivan was wont to do,
and settle the business.
On the other hand Johnson uses both
hands with surprising cleverness, and
he made a chopping-block of Van Bus
kirk for two rounds without the latter
attempting more than once or twice to
use his fists. Still, he didn't hurt Van
Buskirk, and the big fellow kept right
ON following him up until he got him
where he wanted him-against the
ropes.
PRELIMINARY BOUTS.
Shortly after o'clock, w. l.. Henley
and j. G. Conway, who were matched
for the first of the preliminary bouts, en-
tered the ring and spared three rounds
at 125 pounds. They put up a very
good bout and were loudly applauded at
the end.
They We're followed by William Nc
Graw and Ed. Johnson, at 145 pounds,
who gave fine exhibition of skill and
proved to be very evenly matched. They
were both aggressive and the sharp
rallies pleased the crowd who cheered
them heartily when they had finished.
L. A. Payen and William Donahue
came next, at 14S pounds, and kept each
other very busy for three rounds
THE CHIEF EVENT.
Soon after 10 o'clock Van Buskirk en-
tered the hall with his seconds, Ed.
Hennessy, Tom Johnson and John Nor
ton. He vaulted over the ropes, instead
of crawling between them, which
showed he was not lacking in agility.
He was generously applauded. A long
wait ensued before Johnson came from
his dressing room. He received a per-
feet ovation as he mounted the platform
with his attendants, Jack Stenzler,
Henry Peppers and Ed. Johnson. Ed.
Kay was announced as timekeeper for
Johnson, J. Pendergast for Van Bus
kirk and Charles Bauer for the club.
Thomas DWyer the referee, paced
back and forth in the ring, comforting
with the principals and their seconds.
Thomas was easily distinguished from
the others by his smile and the bright
scarlet sweater that decorated the up
per half of his body. (Of course he
wore other clothing too) In the toss
for choice of gloves Johnson won, and
when the mittens were handed to Po-
lice Captain Ash for inspection the
crowd indulged in good-natured bad
image:
law! what does he know about
gloves!" yelled one. They're all right"
cried another. But Ash squeezed the
pillows and finished his inspection and
then handed them back with an approv-
ing nod Of the head.
Four of the best-looking policemen
were on hand besides Captain Ash and
Sergeant McManus to see that the gen.
tlemen who were to give the physical
culture show did not get ratified and go
to hurting one another. Officer Maley's
star blazed forth like the headlight Of
an air-ship from his seat by the north
east corner of the ring; Officer Talbot
held down chair at the southeast cor
ner as dignifiedly as If he were at
church; Officer Douglas, at the south
west corner, looked somewhat Ill at ease,
while Officer Mike Fisher at the north
west corner, wore an expression that
seemed to say, eff this We're a footrace
I could beat both of you'll"
1t was JohnSon's first appearance be-
fore SO big a crowd, and as he sat in his
corner while his gloves were being
fitted he seemed to be in a very serious
mood, as if he were not entirely free
from stage fright. He certainly was not
afraid of the big fellow in the opposite
corner, as he demonstrated later on.
Van Buskirk was apparently at his ease
and chewed away on chunk of gum as
vigorously and placidly as schoolgirl
at her lessons.
Round 1-At the tap of the gong the
men stepped spryly to the center of the
ring-having previously gone through
the and-shaking formality-and
squared off. Van Buskirk settled quick
ly into his favorite crouching position
and began advancing upon his ninble
foe, his face wearing a fierce, almost
fiendish expression. After a while he
shot forward his left, but Johnson
wasn't there. The latter soon respond
ed with a crack on Vans jaw, and
then came another, and another, and
another. Then Johnson varied the sport
by shooting his left into Vans neck.
The crowd began to laugh at Van,who
made a squirt and landed lightly on
Billy's cheek, in return for which he got
a stiff facer. Johnson landed again
just as the gong sounded. 1t was all
Johnson's round, and his friends began
to think he had pudding"
Round 2-Van Buskirk followed the
same tactics as before, looking vic
ious and following Johnson around the
ring trying to get him In corner so
he could rush him. He got his right
on Billy's ribs, but it was glancing
blow Johnson was now in corner,
and Van landed two pretty stiff blows
before he could get out. In the open
Billy went at Van and landed on his
face three. times in rapid succession.
Van swung his right, and before he
could do it again Billy punched him
twice more on the mug. Again Van
swung wildly and Billy countered as
usual, receiving a Light punch on the
chest as he was stepping back. Just
before the gong sounded he landed an
other facer on the Olympian. This was
the Sacramentan's round also, but it
was plain that he was not doing his big
opponent any injury, while the latter