The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-07
FATAL PRIZE FIGHT.
Walter Croot the Victim Of a
Blow in the Jaw From
Jimmy Barry.
IRy Gable to The Associated Press

IBy Gable to The Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. Z. 1S97.-Walter Croot, of
Newcastle, Eng, who was defeated for
the bantam weight championship of the
world. at the National Sporting Club last
aight, by Jimmy Barry of Chicago, died
this morning of the injuries which he re-
ceived during the contest.
Barry, and his second Tommy
White, who were arrested at the National
Sporting Club at noon today were charg-
ed, at the Bow Street Police Court, with
manslaughter and were locked up in
cells. Both Barry and White, and the
other seconds, Sellick and Spike" Sulli-
van, all Americans. and the principal Off
cials of the National Sporting Club, Will
appear before the presiding Magistrate.
at the Bow Street Police Court, this af-
,erneon. The inquest will be held tomor-
row Bail will probably be refused
Barry is greatly depressed at the unfor-
tunate death of Croot; but all the papers
which publish reports of the fight pay
tribute to the Americans fairness in
lighting. They say that better exhibit
ion of science than displayed by Barry
and Croot is scarcely possible.
The referee had to caution Croot sever
II times fer low hitting and too much
elinching From the seventeenth round
Barry appeared to be much stronger
than Croot who came up for the twen-
sieth round looking tired. His tactics
showed he had been instructed by his
seconds to force matters, in the hope of
. obtaining a verdict at the end of the
round. The spectators then settled them
selves to watch intently the closing round.
Thus far the contest had been an ex-
celient one and not sound was heard
at the opening of the twentieth round,
except the foot movements of the men
n the ring. A mfscalculation of distance
upon the part of Croot brought him too
near his opponent, and he received a
sharp right-hander on the chin, which
dazed him, and another blow drove him
to the ropes. Following this, Barry land
ed his left and right without a return
from Croot, who was virtually beaten
and showed signs of physical distress.
Croot, however, attempted to ward Off
Barry; but the latter, seeing the game
was in his own hands, crept up close and
landed his left over Croot's heart, follow
ing it up with a strong right-hander on the
point of the chin. Croot, in falling sense
less, lay motionless in the ring and the
Croot did not move, and, at the expiration
of the ten seconds, the referee, amidst
loud applause, announced the victory of
the ChicagOan.
ssTod' Sloane. the American Jockey was
among the first to congratulate Barry.
In the meantime Croot was taken to p
bedroom in the club and doctors and
trained nurses were summoned They
worked all night long upon him without
any success, and the boxer expired at
nine o'clock this morning, as already
cabled in brief.
It is now pointed ou that when "Pedlar''
Palmer and Bennett knocked Croot out,
few years ago, the latter was very long
in recovering.
Shortly after three o'clock this after
noon Barry, White and Watley, who was
Croot's second; the manager of the Ma
tional Sporting Club, Mr.. B. F. Angle,
and the referee and time-keeper of last
nights fatal fight, were placed in the
prisoners dock before Mr.. James Waugh
an, the Presiding Magistrate, at Bow
Street Police Court, and were formally
charged with manslaughter. The Court
was crowded with interested spectators.
Counsel appeared for Mr.. Angle, whose
case is the same as that of the other de-
PENDANTS.
The police testified that Barry was very
much distressed at the death of Croot,
and said he had not made the slightest at
tempt to avoid the warrant.
Continuing, the police said that Mr.. An
gle conducted an officer to see Croot' S
body which was only superfcially Bruised.
There were slight signs of blood in the
nose, but there was none on the gloves,
or in the ring.
Barry, who was present when the police
viewed the body broke down and cried:
II never did that"
All the prisoners were remanded for q
week. bail in each case being accepted in
the sum of ESQ (S250).
Sir George Chetwynd became surety for
Mr. Angle and the proprietor of a news
paper devoted to sporting matters be-
came surety for Barry and White
Barry in an interview, today, said
Il am deeply upset and can hardly say
what [ think l had not the slightest
enmity towards Groot. We were good
friends and there was nothing bitter in
thought that my blow would do more than
stop him for a few moments.