Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-19

MATTERS.
A short arm jab in the wind, follow
ed by stiff left hook on the jaw, sent
Joe Hopkins, pug. to the land of Nor
pheus last night. The blows were in
1icted by the business ends of the up
per limbs of Oscar Gardner, the "Oma-
ha Kid" It was his third attempt to
put the colored boy into copeland. On
both previous occasions Oscars super
iority was attested by the decision Of
the referee, but last night the finishing
touches" were put upon the ambition
of the Buffalo boy. There was none of
the suggestion OF incidence which
sometimes characterizes Gardner's
work. He was very much in earnest
and there was a reason for his earnest
ness.
The last time the pair met within
the roped enclosure it was agreed that
they would come in at 126 pounds.
Hopkins weighed more that 1877, but
Oscar waived his right to the forfeit.
money. The conditions governing last
nights contest included stipulation
that the men must not weigh more
than 127 at three O'clock in the after
noon. This in itself was a concession
from Gardner, who cannot enter the
ring in fit condition weighing more
than 124. But when Hopkins stepped
on the scales at the appointed hour he
tipped the beam at 131 pounds. Oscar
was sleeping at the time, having prev
tously stated that he would weigh in at
the ringside if required.
Gardner and his friends were natur-
ally trifie sore over what they re-
garded as an uncalled-for imposition
upon good nature, and the proverbial
cool temper of the kid" was a trife
rufled. He remarked to a Register
reporter that if Hopkins whipped him
with his excess averdupois il; would
be only after the hardest battle of his
life. This language from Gardner was
capable of the construction that he
would cut out a faster clip than ordi-
ary, and this view of the matter proved
to be correct.
Hopkins entered the ring Weighing
ten or twelve pounds more than his
opponent. He was a veritable little
giant. His physical development was
perfect, his muscles standing out like
whipcords, the only flaw being a trife
too much beef in the region of The
stomach. But Drawn proved no match
for brains, and science outclasscd
strength. Hopkins was the better
physical man. but he lacked the clever
ness, the cooless and the ring general
ship which are conspicuous factors i'll
all OF Gardeners victories. Hopkins
had confidence and both speed and
steam in the first round, but his wild
swings and his utter inability to land
IN effective blow-Gardner raining
rights and lefts on his body with trip
hammer regularity all the Whitehead
bewildering effect upon him. Two or
three stiff punches made him change
from the aggressive to the defensive,
and throughout the fifteen rounds he
waited for the opening which was
never given. If any portion of Gard
ner's anatomy had been located where
Hopkins vicious right went swirling
through the air with a sibilant swish"
there would have been different tale
to tell. But the kid" has a pleasant
little habit Of side-stepping and duck
i-g out Of danger, and has other tricks
Up his sleeve to meet other emcrgen-
cies
Mister Hopkins is compelled to take
back, seat. He is not In the same
pusiiistic class as Oscar Gardner. He is
hardy fsllow, With a,l kinds Of