Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-13

SHdIiey burns Will own the Last
End, and can have anything he wants,
even to the captaincy OF a company OF
Cuban volunteers.
Charlie Johnson has several times
asserted that he didn't want cent
II he couldn't knock Burns out in
twenty rounds" He failed TO accom-
plish his task, and Burns will have
his pockets lined with silver. The
haberdashers and clothiers will prob
ably get most of it within the next
few days.
The contest between Charlie Burns,
OF Cincinnati, and Charlie Johnson,
OF Bridgeport, attracted fair SIZED
crowd to the Bridgeport Opera House.
1t was one of the most satisfactory eX-
hibitions ever given in this section
OF the country. 1t was the general I'M
preston that if Burns stood before
johnson for twenty rounds, he would
have to stand a great amount of pun
lshment, but those who entertained
this opinion were disappointed.
Burns, after agreeing to JOhnson's In
depreciation of the Marquis CT Queens
bury rules, proved himself the super
ior OF the Philadelphia at his own "a
yorite style of boxing. Burns had the
advantage throughout, and had MS
opponent all but out in the maj
round.
Burns displayed surprising clever
ness, and gave a much better eXhlbl-
ton than in his contest with otoizer.
During the early rounds he acted on
the defensive, but after exploding the
bubble of reputation which enclrcled
Johnson, he assumed aggressive tao
tics, with the result that he lnlllcted
more punishment than his opponent,
and was much the fresher OF the TWO
when the contest ended.
The preliminaries consisted OF four
round bout between Conley ana
Springer; four rounds between jerry
Marshall and Robert Herman; and an
exhibition by Leslie Pearce's midgets.
Preparations were then made for the
event Of the evening. Down stairs the
men stepped on scales, and both
weighed under 145 pounds. There was
some objection to John Bennett ON
ciating as referee, Johnson insisting
upon Oscar Gardner, to which Burns
readily assented. A few minutes later,
at about 1920 O'Clock, the principal
stepped through the ropes amid cheers
from the crowd. In JOhnson's corner
were Leslie Pearce and Finnegan.
Burns seconds were Jerry Marshall,
Zimmerman and Mayose. The men
stepped to the center of the ring, when
there was a contention regarding the
method of fighting. Johnson, as was
expected, insisted upon the privilege
of striking with one arm free, which
ne declared to be Marquis Of Queens
bury rules. Burns insisted that the
club rules provided for clean breaks
in clinches, and Manager Murphy
agreed that this rule has governed
contests at the B. A. c. heretofore.
Burns finally agreed to strike with
one arm free, but to break clean when
ordered by the referee.
1t was announced that Johnson
agreed to stop Burns in twenty rounds
and that if Burns was on his feet at
the end of the twentieth round he was
to secure the decision. Oscar Gardner
was cheered when he stepped forward
to officiate as referee. The gong
sounded for
Round one-The Beau Brummel
stepped forward in trunks of red, white
and blue Opened with cautious spar
ring. Burns led for the face and fell
short Burns swung right and missed,
but countered hard on the jaw with
his left and on the wind with his
right. Both striking with one arm
free. Burns rushed Johnson to the
ropes and landed two right hand
punches on the mouth, bringing first
blood on Johnson. Burns did all
the work and had a very decided adj
vantage in this round
Round two-Johnson placed light
right on the jaw and left on the ribs.
Burns jabbed left on face. Johnson
wrestled Burns over the ropes, and
Burns landed a terrific uppercut, bring
ing the blood again. Burns placed a
swinging right on the jaw and was
setting very fast pace. Burns jab-
bed on the face with his left and
swung light right on the head. Burns
round.
Round three-The men got together
very closely, and in the mix-up Burns
had the advantage. his superior science
counting largely in his favor He
landed several good jabs, but missed
some SWINGS WbiSh might nave ScHt
johnson down if they had connected
They wrestled in Burns corner and
both fell. Johnson landed on ribs
Round four-Opened with both play
ing for an opening. Johnson was
caught in a tight place against the
ropes. but ducked away cleverly. More
wrestling. Burns placed a straight left
lab ON the Jaw. and Johnson missed a
lead for the wind Johnson struck in
n clinch. and the crowd Kissed. They
wrestled against the ropes. holding to
each other with the tenacity of leeches.
Johnson forced Burns down through
the ropes and the audience renewed its
kissing.
Round five-Johnson led for the ribs
and there was another wrestle. john
son brought the blood on Burns by
throwing him against corner stake,
cutting a cash on his head Burns
looking like Comanche Indian. Both
growing weak. Burns ON the defen-
sive. and Johnson the stronger. John
sons round.
Round six-An exchange of light
blows. infiicting no damage. Burns
swung right on the Jaw. Johnson
placed. his right on the shoulder. Ter
rife work with one arm free, making
the referees position an unenviable
one Johnson landed twice and
Burns retaliated with several hard
punches on the jaw and neck which
counted. Gardner received singing
blow while going between the men.
Trhn