The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-19
COLORED BOY PUT OUT FOREVER
IN A CINCINNATI ePRTZE
FIGHTs
NECK BROKEN BY A BLOW.
THE BOUT A TRAINED PUGI-
LIST.
MANAGER OF THE CLUB ARRESTED
COIOred Lads Hastily Engaged to
Fiji n Vacancy ON Manhattan
Clubs Programme.

CINCINNATI, o., Feb. 18.-Benny
Coleman, a little colored boy. met
death in the ring Of the Manhattan
Athletic club in the first round of his
boxing bout with VIM Wright. While
his limp body was being carried out
of the arena and into a dressing room
by his seconds, the spectators, none
OF whom who suspected the awful
truth, cheered Justify for the little
black boy, Wright who had been pro-
claimed victor over him.
Other bouts were called and decided
and still the audience was not aware
that what they had witnessed in the
first set-to was tragedy. 1t became
rumored about the arena that Cole
man was still unconscious, and those
who yentured the assertion that he
was playing 'possum' when he drop
ped under the blow which broke his
neck, concluded that he must have re-
ceived a pretty vigorous punch after
all.
A few and only a few learned the
truth. 1t was only after the police
mad stopped the contest between Jim
Johnson and Al Roberts, the DrinciDaIs
or the main fight of the evening, in the
fourth round, when the referee decided
Johnson the winner, that the news of
the colored boys death was heard by
all. The first of the spectators to
leave had not reached the door when
some one spoke aloud what had only
been mentioned in whispers during the
course OF the entertainment Instantly
1t was repeated and in a few seconds
1t was known to all. ~
Both Coleman and his adversary in
the fatal bout were young colored
JT0nx Nny~in,
They have probably participated in
more or less private boxing but neither
can be remembered as having faced an
audience as a boxer before tonight
they were only engaged on this oc-
caS1On because of the failure Of some
others to appear. Their bout was not
advertised and attracted no more in
terest when the lads were introduced
than the ordinary "fill in at a boxing
entertainment. They We're each about
eighteen or nineteen years of age and
weighed probably between lis and us
pounds. They were seconded by young
colOred lads as little known as them
selves.
Their battle with gloves was aus
vigorous as 1t was unScientific and
as fierce as it was brief At the call
OF time they met in the center and
punched, jabbed and swung wildly at
one another. Each landed several
times during the first minute Wright
was quick to crowd his fellow upon
the first premOnftOry sign Of weakness
and in another minute had him pin
ned against the ropes Of the ring in
Wrights own corner.
There. was a clinchs but Wright still
crowded and a 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 nearly lifeless. The death
blow did not appear to be an especial
ly vigorous one and not one person
in the house suspected the horrible
truth. COleman's eyes were open and
rolling. although his tongue was still
ed and his muscles were all relaxed.
Some thought that it was only a bit
Of clever acting in order to escape fur
Their punishment.
Referee Lal1y appreciated that the
boy was "out" for, without going
through the Formally of counting the
second, he gave his decision promptly
on the fall and proclaimed the winner.
It was nearly two hours later that
the boy died.
The police have arrested John Sim
coe. the manager of the Manhattan
club; Budd Lally. the referee; Will
Rogers. one Of the seconds. and are
after others whom they have not yet
arrested.