Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-15
Midnight Battle in the Prize
Ring.
LAMBERT IS THE VICTOR.
Knocks Out His Man in the
Second Round.
Crowd of Sports Witness an
Exciting Go.

the VlCtOT IN MS Oottl6 Win jim NC.
Coy, of this city, last night. Mccoy
was knocked ont in the second
round. The mill was pulled off in q
convenient second floor room, where
some one hundred and fifty tri-city
sports assembled about q 12-foot
ring. The fight, which all seem sat-
iefied was on the square, was given
Under the auspices of the Moline
Athletic association. and was for
5000 . side. The place where the
pugilists were to meet was kept q
secret until last evening. Those
who had tickets were told to meet at
q certain place at 1890, when they
would be given the tip on the scene
of conflict and how to reach it with
out causing suspicion, especially to
the police department, that anything
unusual was in the wind.
The sports started for the ring
side in punches, most of them taking
the back streets or alleys. Entrance
was gained to the battle ground from
q rear door. The only ventilation to
the room came through couple Of
north windows which were pulled
down few inches from the top.
1t was hot. A thermometer was
hung on the wall and the quicksilver
ran up against the top and raped
for release. The spectators sat there
and sweltered in the heat. A num-
Der had fans, but it was q hard mat
ter to stir up breeze sufficient to
keep one form out of torture. The
crowd arrived shortly before IL
o'clock and grew restless because
the gladiators did not appear imme-
diately. There were numerous at
tempts at raising q racket by stamp
ing on the floor and shouting, but
those who realized the necessity for
keeping everything serene, said
"sh," and all was quiet. There was
warning against anyone standing
outside,a and the master Of ceremonies,
an auburn-haired fellow, said that il
the sports wanted to see q 90 they
would have to behave like q church
congregation.
Fighters In the Ring.
Mccoy aud Lambert, who were
being rubbed down in an adjoining
ante-room in the meantime, entered
the ring at 1880. 1t was few min
utes of midnight before man who
would act as referee could be Sc
cured. The master of ceremonies
brought out a red band box and
opened it before the spectators. 1t
contained the gloves which the fight
ers were to use.
these are tn 4 ounce regulation
mitts," he said, "an' il there's an
officer in tn place he is welcome to
examine them. Now, gents, this is
to be . 10-round glove contest; so
that we keep within tn limit ofth'
law. you understand. But if neither
man is finished at tn end of tn 10Th.
why tn referee can keep on adding q
round until either is knocked out"
Then time was called and the
fighters shook hands. Mccoy was
the aggressor from the start and
landed several hard punches on the
little Englishman's physiognomy.
Lambert displayed his cleverness by
wardipg off . few knocks which were
aimed at his face and which echoed
like q rock striking an empty rain
barrel when they collided with bis
slaves. Lambert placed q few him.
self, but they counted for nothing,
and he was continually clinching to
avoid punishment. Before the first
round was half over it appeared
that Mccoy had the Englishman go
ing. Three times he Knocked him
over on the ropes. Once when Nc.
Coy had Lambert hugging the line
on the east side of the arena, be
soaked him. There were shouts OF
foul, and others demanded that the
referee begin counting on the man
who WAS down. But Lambert came
up, carrying q sort Of smile, yet he
was noticeably raging mad.
"Oh. you stiff, Jem," he said, as
he arose.
Then Lambert showed his metal.
He fought madly. and was just be.
ginning to mix it up with his antag.
onist az time was called.
Three-minute rounds were fought,
and the pugilists we're given 1-min-
ute rests.
Lambert started to force the fight
As soon as time was called in the sec
ond bout. Punch after punch was
landed on Mccoy. who was growing
rapidly weaker. He would score an
occasional hit, but Lambert would
nearly always ward it OF and take it
in the breast. Lambert would rush
in on his man and with close fight.
ing land one after the other in his
face. The claret began to flow. from
McCoy's nose in the first minute of
the second round, and he was by this
time wearing lump under his left
eye about the eize Of quarter. Nc
Coy rallied and rushed IN on Lam
bert, but he could not stand his
ground, being handed . blow which
sent him reeling to the other side of
the ring. The men clinched. Nc
Coy started across the arena with .
right handler, which landed lightly