The record-union., 1897-02-19
MET DEATH IN THE RING.
FATAL KNOCKOUT IN A FIGHT
AT CINCINNATI.
Benny Coleman, Colored Boy, Re-
CeiveS a Blow Which Broke
His Neck.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 1S.-Bennie Cole
man, a 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 spectators, none of whom
suspected the awful truth, cheered lust
lily for the little black boy, Wright, who
had been proclaimed victor over him.
Other bouts We're called and decided,
and still the crowd was not aware that
what they had witnessed in the first
setto was a tragedy. 1t became rumored
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
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 be-
tween 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.
Both Coleman and his adversary in
that fatal bout are young colored boys,
inexperienced and unscientific They
have probably participated in more or
less private boxing, but neither can be
remembered as having faced an assem-
blage as a boxer before tonight They
We're only engaged on this occasion be-
cause of the failure of others to appear.
Their bout was not advertised. and at
tracted no more interest when the lads
were introduced than the ordinary fill
in at an ordinary boxing entertain
ment. They were each about Is or 10
years of age, and weighed probably be-
tween 115 and 11S pounds. They were
seconded by young colored las as little
known as themselves.
Their battle with gloves was as vigor-
Gus as it 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, but Wright was quick to crowd
his fellow upon the first premonitory
signs of weakness, and in another min
ute had him pinned against the ropes of
the ring in Wright's own corner.
There was clinch, but Wright still
crowded, and with a swinging blow with
the right hand struck the helpless Cole
man on the side of the neck.
Almost instantly Coleman dropped to
the floor, limp and almost lifeless. The
death blow did not appear to be an es-
pecially vigorous one, and not one per-
son in the amphitheater suspected the
horrible truth. Coleman's eyes were
open and rolling, although his tongue
was stilled and his muscles We're all re-
laxed. Some thought it was only a bit
of clever acting in order to escape
further 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 proclaimed Wright the winner.
1t was nearly two hours later when the
boy died.
The police have arrested John Simcoe.
the manager of the Manhattan Club:
Bud Lally the referee; Will Rogers. one
of the seconds. and are after others
whom they have not yet arrested.