The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-19

PRIZE FIGHTER KILLED
BENNIE COLEMAN. A COLORED BOY
KNOCKED OUT FOR GOOD.
Tragedy at the Manhattan Athletic
Club, Cincinnati. i'm the First Round
of the First Bout.

CINCINNATI Feb. 19-Bennie Coleman
little colored boy. met 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 arena and into a
dressing room by his seconds, the specta-
tors, none of whom suspected the awful
truth. cheered Justify for the little black
boy, Wright. who had been proclaimed vic
tor over him. Other bouts were called and
decided, and still the audience was not
aware that what they had witnessed in the
hrst set-to was q tragedy. IL became ru-
mored about the arena that Coleman was
still unconscious, and those who had VEN
tured the assertion that he was playing
''possum' when he dropped under the blow
which broke his neck concluded that he
must have received a pretty vigorous
punch after ALL A few, and only a 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 battle. 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 specta-
tors 10 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 II
ond II was known TO all.
Both Coleman and his adversary in that
rataa ar;d bout are young c3iored boys mex
probably participated in more or less pri-
vate boxing. but neither can be remembered
as having faced an audience as a boxer be-
fore tonight. They were only engaged on
this occasion because of the failure of some
others to appear.
The bout OF the colored lads was not ad-
vertised and it attracted no more interest
when the lads were introduced than the
ordinary 'fill in at an ordinary boxing en-
tertainment. They were each about eight
cen or nineteen years OF age, and weighed
probably between 1l5 and lis pounds They
were seconded by young colored lads as lit
tie known as themselves. Their battle with
gloves was as vigorous as 1t was unscen-
tfhc, 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
| another. Each landed several times during
| the first minute. but Wright was quick TO
| crowd his fellow upon the first premonitory
| sign of weakness and another minute had
| him pinned against the ropes In Wright 5
corner. There was clinch, but Wright
| still crowded. and a swinging blow with the
| right hand struck the helpless Coleman on
the side of his neck. Almost instantly he
| dropped 10 the floor. limp and almost life
i less. The death blow did not appear to be
an especially vigorous one, and not one
person in the ampitheater suspected the
horrible truth. Coleman's eyes We're open
and rolling. although his tongue was stilled
and his muscles were all relaxed. Some
thought that it was only bit of clever
II
ment
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 pro-
claimed Wright the winner 1t was nearly
two hours later that the boy died. The
police have arrested John Simcoe. the man.
ager of the Manhattan Club Budd Lally.
the referee. Will Rogers. one of the Sec
onds, and are after others whom they have
not yet arrested.
Later-Willam Wright, who killed Benny
Coleman in the prize fight. seven miles be-
low this city. tonight, also went by the
name of William Rogers. He Is the Rogers
who is under arrest tonight. He and Cole
man quarreed and had a street fight two
weeks ago. They were parted and advised
| TO fight il out in the ring, TO which they
agreed. and, accordingly applied for the
privilege tonight. The coroner will hold
an inquest tomorrow. He said, very late
| tonight, that the boy must have been dead
| in five minutes after he was carried out
| of the ring. yet the subsequent fights were
going on for about two hours, with the
victim of the first bout corpse in an adj
Joining room.