The herald., 1897-02-19
HIS FIRST FIGHT IS FATAL
Coleman of Cincinnati Killed in
the Ring
WRIGHT is NOT SCIENTIFIC
But His Chance BLOW Broke His Ad-
versary's Neck
WRIGHT IS NOT SCIENTIFIC
Corbett at Carson Finds the Weather I'm
suitable for Training Railroad
Fares TO the Fight
Associated Press Special Wire

ASSOCluleu fFeSS SpeCldl w ire
CINCINNATI, o., Feb. 1S.-Benny
Coleman, a little colored boy, met his
death in the ring of the Manhattan
Athletic club tonight, in the first round
of his boxing bout with William Wright.
While his limp body was being carried
out of the rng and into dressing room
by his seconds, the spectators, none of
whom suspected the awful truth, cheer
ed Justify for the little black boy, Wright,
who had been proclaimed victor over
him.
Other bouts were called and decided,
and still the crowd was not aware that
what they had witnessed in the first
set-to was a tragedy 1t became ru-
mored about the arena that Coleman
was still unconscious, and those who
had ventured the assertion that he was
playing "possum" "whe nhe dropped un-
der the blow which broke his neck, con-
cludsd he must have received 81 pretty
vigorous punch after all A few, and
only few learned the truth, but it
was only after the police had stopped the
contest between Jim Johnson and AL
Roberts, the principals of the main bat
tie, in the fourth round, when the ref
cree decided johnson the winner, that
the news of the colored boys death
was heard by all.
Both Coleman and his adversary in
that fatal bout are young colored boys.
inexperienced and unscientiflc. They
have probably participated in more or
less private boxing, but neither can be
remembered as having faced an assem-
hage as a boxer until tonight. They
On1V o. CT he
cause of the failure Of others to appear
Their bout was not advertised, and
attracted no more interest when the
lads were introduced than the ordina-
ry "fll in" at an ordinary boxing en-
tertainment. They were each about
IS or 10 years of age and weighed prob
ably between lis and 118 pounds. They
were seconded by young lads as little
known as themselves
Their battle with gloves was as Wig
orous as it was unscientif1c, and as
fierce as 1t was brief. At the call of
time they met in the center and punched,
jabbed and swung wildly at one an
other. Each landed several times dur
ing the first minute but Wright was
quick to crowd his fellow npon the first
premonitory sign of weakness, and in
another minute had him pinned against
the ropes of the ring in Wright's own
corner.
There was a clinch but Wright still
crowded, and with swinging blow
with the right hand struck the helpless
Coleman on the side of the neck AL
most instantly he dropped to the floor,
limp and almost lifeless. The death blow
did not appear to be an especially Wig
orous one, and not one person in the
amphitheater suspected the horrible
truth Coleman's eyes were open and
rolling. although his tongue was stilled
and his muscles were all relaxed. Some
thought 1t was only bit Of clever act
ing in order to escape punishment.
Referee Lally appreciated that the
boy was "out," for without going
through the formality Of counting the
seconds, he gave his decision promptly
on the fall and dclared Wright the win
ner 1t was nearly two hours later that
the boy died. The police have arrested
John Simcoe. the manager Of the Man
haitian club; Bud Lally, the referee;
VIII Rogers one Of the seconds, and are
after others.