Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-02-02

Jack Bonner, Of Philadelphia, put
Nick Burley, OF California, to sleep IN
thirteen rounds before the Metropoli-
tan Athletic Club last night.
The weather had very appreciate
effect upon the attendance. It was
generally known by patrons OF the
M. A. c. that there was 10 provision
made for heating the club house, and
that those who attended would very
probably be subjected to considerable
personal inconvenience. Their fears
were realized. The crowd sat SILVER
ing through the contests, while the
cold penetrated the many cracks and
knot-holes in the walls. The club OIL
Gals did the best thing possible under
the circumstances, by pulling off the
contests with unusual promptness.
If the weather had been favorable,
the crowd would probably have been
the largest that ever assembled TO wit
ness a contest under N. A. G. aus
pieces. AS it was, there We're not many
vacant seats. The number OF stran-
gers in the crowd was larger than ever
before. Every city within a radius Of
one hundred miles of Wheeling was
represented, and the crowd was not
made up OF the ordinary type Of sports
men, but every class and condition
was represented.
It was a repetition Of the old story,
a contest between a bo.-er and fighter
Burnley the boxer, Bonner the
fighter.
There was never at any time ques-
ton on the part OF those who We're
familiar with Bonner's ability, and
style CT fighting. as TO the final re-
suit. The contest had not gone very
far until most Of the spectators had
selected the Eastern matn as the most
likely winner. B0nner's style is very
much similar to that OF Oscar Gard
ner. He is not as clever as Burley, but
he was much stronger, and he made
every blow tell. while those OF his
opponent inflicted very little punish
ment. Burnley got in on his opponent
frequently, and in the place for which
he was playing, but MS blows We're
lamentably lacking in steam. Bon
ner played for the wind, and Burley
principally for the Jaw. Burley swung
often, but these leads invariably fell
short or over-reached the mark, and
they were the only blows which would
have hurt.
The first preliminary bout was be-
tween Charley Burns, Of Cincinnati,
and Hermann Beck, Of Pitsburg. It
was to have been q found-round go, .
but one round ended it. Burns clearly
proved himself the better man. and
landed hard on his opponent. Beck
made a poor showing. Before the
round ended the men shook hands,
and it was announced that Beck was
not in condition.
The second event was four-rOund
bout between Joe Bruner, OF Cincin-
natl, and "Buz' Auber, OF this city.
This was very interesting, and pleased
the audience immensely. In the first
round Auber led frequently and his
blows were as frequently blocked No
damage was done. Auber struck fire.
quently III clinches, but ducked clever
" several times. In the third round
Bruner lost his temper for a half min
ute, ana landed several effective blows
on his opponent. Auber's glove fell
off his hand and the gong sounded In
the final round Auber was ambitious,
and thought he might finish Bruner,
but it was science against luck.
Vance, Of Washington, Pa, consent
ed to go on for the third bout, which
was with Eddie Gardner a brother OF
Oscar Gardner. Wonco was probably
twenty pounds heavier than his oppon-
ent, and on account OF this fact it was
announced that the contest would be
merely friendly bout. Gardner is eX-
ceedingly clever. His style Of boxing
is very different from that of his bro
Their Oscar, and aggressive at ali times.
On account OF the cold weather, very
little time was lost in making prepare
tons for the event of the evening.
Jack Bennett acted as referee of the
preliminaries and Patsy Gavin Off
ciated in the event of the evening.
1t was ten O'Clock when the seconds
stepped into the ring, and about ten
minutes later when time was called for
the first round. Burley was the first
to step through the ropes, followed
closely by Bonner. In the former S
corner were Jack O'keefe Wango
Houlton and Prof. Gordon, of Wash
iugton In Bonner's corner were Les
lie Pearce, Charley Bruner and How
ard Mr. Bennett introduced Jack
O'Keefe. who is matched to meet Oscar
Gardner. This will be the next contest
under the auspices of the NJ. A. c. He
then read the articles of agreement be-
tween the principals. The principals
stepped to the center of the ring, and
received their instructions from the
referee.
First round-Tbev advanced 10 thf