The San Francisco call., 1897-12-08
English Pugilist Dies
Soon After His
Defeat.
Arrest of the Chicago Lad and
Others Connected With
the Fight.
British Press Says the America
Put Up a Fair and Scientific
Contest.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL


LONDON, Dec. 7.-Walter Croot OF New
castle, England, who was defeated for the
bantam weight championship of the world
at the National Sporting Club last night
by Jimmy Barry of Chicago, died this
morning of the injuries received in the
contest. The Knockout blows consisted
OF severe punch over the heart and then
crushing right on the Jaw. Croot
remained unconscious so long that medl-
cal assistance was called. II was iound
that he had sustained a severe conclusion
OF the brain. He never regalned concious-
ness, and expired a. O'Clock this morn
ing. Barry was arrested and taken 10
BoW-street Police CourL. The affair has
caused great excitement in boxing circles
Barry and his second, Tommy White,
who were arrested at tAe National Spor,-
ing Club to-day, were charged at the Bow
street police station with manslaughter
and were locked up in cells.
Barry IS greatly de pressed by the death
OF Croot, but all the papers which pub
Ilsh reports OF the tight pay tribute to the
Americans fairness in fighting. They say
that better exhibition of science tha n
was displayed by Barry and Croot is
scarcely possible. The referee had to eau
tion Croot several times for low hitting
and too much cIinching. From the seven
teenth round Barry appeared to be much
stronger than Croot, who came uD for the
twentieth round looking tired. His tac-
tics showed he had been instructed by his
seconds to force matters in the hope of
obtaining verdict at the end OF the
round.
Up TO this point the contest had been an
excellent one. In this round, however. q
mi ejaculation On the part of Croot
brought him 100 near his opponent, and
he received a sharp right-hander on the
chin, whl ch dazeu him, and another blow
drove him 10 The ropes. Following this,
Barry landed his left and right without a
return from CroOt, who was virtually
beaten and showed signs OF physical dis
tress. CroOt, however, attempted 10 ward
OF Barry, but the latter, seeing the game
was III his own hands, crept up close and
landed his left over Croot's heart follow
ing 1t up with strong right-hander on
the point OF the chin. Croot, falling, lay
mOtlonleSS IL the ring, and the referee be
gan TO count. AT the expiration of the
ten seconds, the referee, amid loud an
plause, announced the victory of the Chi
cagoan.
Tod Sloan, the American jockey, was
among the first to congratulate Barry.
1t Is now recalled that when Pedlar
Palmer and Bennett knocked Croot cut,
few years ago, the latter was very long
In recovering. Barry, White and Watley,
who was Croots second, the manager of
The y National Sporting Club, 3. +. Angle
and the referee and timekeeper of last
nights fatal fight were placed IN the pris-
oners' dock before James Vaughan, the
presiding magistrate at Bow ,treet Police
Court, this afternoon, and formally
charged with mansIaughter The court
was crowded with interested spectators.
Counsel appeared for Mr.. Angle, whose
case is the same as that of tie other de-
PENDANTS.
The police testified that Barry was verv
much distressed at the death OF CrooI,
and said he had not made the slightest at
tempt 10 avoid the warrant Continuing.
the police said MIR. Angle conducted an
officer to see Croot's body, which was oniv
superfcialiy 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 a
week, bail In each case being accepted in
the sum OF ESQ. Sir George Chetwynd be-
came surety Tor Mr.. Angle and the pro-
prietor OF newspaper devoted to sporting
matters became surety for Barry and
White.
Barry, in an interview to-day, said:
Il am deeply upset and can hardly saw
what L think. / had not the slightest
enmity toward Croot. We were good
friends, and there was nothing bitter in
our fight. [ never had the slightest
thought that my blow would DO more
than stop him tor few minutes"