Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-04

"Yock" sHenniger, Of Pittsburgh, did
not appear in the arena of the Bridge
port Athletic Club last night, for his
contest with Oscar Gardner.
There is division of opinion as TO
the reason for his failure. Buck Con
nelly says he was sick but the impress
sion prevails among many admirers
of the game that he feared meeting
with Oscar, and backed down. This
view Of the matter may, or may not,
do Henniger an injustice, but the fact
of its existence in the minds of local
sports cannot be disputed.
Connolly has very good opinion OF
Gardner, SO good, in fact, that it is
whispered around that he would like
to manage the kid" In his state
ment at the ring, side he said that his
protege awoke sick, and that his all
ment weakened him to such an ex-
tent that it would have been pure fol-
iy to put him in the ring against
Gardner. He promised to make an
ether match within two weeks, If the
audience swallowed this with several
grains CT salt, they ought to be par
dored for adding the seasoning.
Connolly made his statement after
Gardner had told the crowd that he
had never. disappointed an audience
AMI never would; and after President
Fisher had asked, in the course OF
his remarks, that the blame be placed
where it belonged. 1t was significant
fact that Mr.. Fisher accused Connolly
ct al, Of giving out the information
in Wheeling that Henniger could not
go On, several hours before he notified
,u.u5hs sIdlI Ass .sISlDk fIicials received
would prove a fiasco at about three
O'Clock in the afternoon. Their amaze
ment was only exceeded in degrees by
their indignation. In the meantime
the news had spread like wild fire in
Wheeling, and under the circum-
stances it was probably mistake 10
arrange substitute bouts, as there was
only a handful Of spectators present.
Whatever may be the status of the
present case, the fact remains that box
ing in Wheeling is always successful,
save when dealing with Pittsburg par
ties; and that dissatisfaction almost in
yariably follows contests in which the
Smoky City sports have hand. A
provision for heavier deposits of forfeit
money is respectfully suggested as a
remedial measure. 1t will certainly
prove effective, as the tenderest spot
On Pittsburg sport is his purse.
Oscar Gardner worked like a Trojan
to arrange suitable bouts which might
satisfy the club. Connolly. agreed to
try to induce McCleland to take Hen
niger's place. but McCleland returned
to Pittsburg. Gardner wanted to go
against Fogarty, but his friends con-
WINGED him of the danger in conceding
Mover thirty pounds to an opponent. The
I'D finally arranged was an eight
round >ketto between Oscar and Eddie
Gardner, <nd twenty rounds between
Jack Fogarty and Evan Davis, of Niles,
Ohio. Davis was an unknown. He is
also a "never was" He possesses a
modicum of knowledge about the
game, possibly acquired from a hand
book on boxing. He rode into Bridge
port on fast freight. When he was
offered an opportunity to make few
dollars it was his stomach and not his
brain, that framed an affirmative an
swer. He fairly earned his money.
Oscar and Eddie Gardner gave a
very lively exhibition for eight rounds,
and the crowd applauded heartily. Fo-
carty has been out of the business for
some time and was cautious. Other
wise. he would never have permitted
Davis to stand before him for ten
rounds. Davis showed some clever
hess in landing and getting away from
mings, but he had no steam But for
lhe crowd urging him, he would have
uuit when knocked down the first
lime. The men weighed about 100
bounds.
First round--Led off with a miX-up
Without damage Fogarty led with left
and Davis ducked away. Davis put
left lightly ON Jaw. Davis tented with
eft, and put right jab in stomach.
Fogarty swung left and missed. Davis
tented with right. Very tame.
Second round-Fogarty put left light
on nose. Both missing swings. Fo-
garty jabbed right on breast Clinch
against ropes. Davis put left on chin
Davis jabbed right on jaw. Exchange
of love taps and a clinch. Fiddling.
Fogarty put light right on jaw.
round Davis put two hard
kpgs in the ribs without re-
is jabbed two lefts on neck.