Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-29

Almost Insane Other Sporting
Matters.
Birmingham, England, January Is
The 1ght between Dick BuTge and
Eddie Connolly for $1,000, which took
place at the Olympic Club here 10
night, and was declared
draw, caused unusual excite
ment, crowds focking to the doors Of
the club house and requiring extra
police opreserye order. Inside the
Olympic Club house, however, decorum
prevailed.
Dick Bwge was the favorite. He
weighed 143 ponds, while Connolly
weighed only 15S pounds Connolly
was the first to reach the ringsiGe and
he was accorded feeble reception. In
terviewed by a correspondent of the
Associated Press, he expressed his be-
lief in his thorough fitness and conf
dence in his ability TO win. Burge was
accorded an ovation.
This caused the manager of the club
to step TO the front and announce that
any expression indicative of favoritism
NOQlu ne lOllON Gu ny TIC OAbuA9ANiA VI
persons participating.
The fight opened in business-like
manner. The first two rounds were
decidedly in Burgess favor. Then the
excitement became intense, for it was
seen that a stubborn fight was intend
ed. In the third round Connolly drew
the first blood. He landed a success
sion of heavy half arm blows on Burgess
chest and neck This caused Burgess
trainer to shout, DO the Yankee,
Dick" For this interference in the
fight Burgess trainer was severely re-
buked by the referee.
The fourth round favored Connolly,
who landed heavily on his opponent
face. causing Burge to bleed profusely.
After several clineheS Connolly dis
played considerable agility, recovering
his position with ease. There was
little change in the fifth round, Con-
nOlly's tactics. however, seeming 10
produce some effect upon his oppo-
nent's wind.
In the sixth round Burge forced the
fighting and rushed Connolly to the
ropes. The latter feinting. slipped,
and nearly fell down, and Burge land
ed with terrific force on his opponent S
face. For a moment the fight seemed
nearly over but Connolly gamely re-
covered and the round ended with
terrible punishment for both. Inc
seventh round proved to be a repeu-
ticn of the savage fighting. Excite
ment was at fever heat. many mem
bers of the club jumping up IN their
seats and shouting stop the fight and
call the police.
Connolly's face could scarcely be
recognized during this round. sui he
seemed to have a slight advantage over
his opponent. though Burgess body
blows left him almost winded. Botn
responded gamely when time was called
at the beginning of the tenth round.
The fighting was of the most terrific
order After a few seconds the referee
entered the ring and signalled LOT
silence. He then said:
I'VE must stop this lighting
Instantly pandemonium reigned through
out the club room. Three hundred men
snrang to their feet positively mad with
the excitement of the moment. as the
referee declared the fight "a draw. Corr
nCIly's seconds helped him TO his dreSs-
ing room. Burgc apparently became in
sane as result of the fight He fought
his own seconds. ravod and tried to get
mt Conuolly's trainer. Kelly. Burge's
friends finally succeeded i'm getting him
away from the club room. his head en-
vcIopcd I'm a coat. The police formed a
line and compelled the unwilling members
of the club to quit the hail. The crowd
outside joined with those who mad Wit
messed the contest i'm cursing the decision
Of the referee.
After the fight and the excitement was
over the correspondent of the Associated
Press succeeded i'm obtaining an interview
with Connolly. Connolly's head was ter
ribly battes a. Burgc's heaviest blows
falling chiefly on his face Apart from
this he said he had felt no ill-enects from
the fight Asked his opinion concerning
the contest. Connolly said 1t really was
such hot work that / do not know what
happened. ! hope my friends will under
stand that fl was q great battle"