Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-19
STORIES Of TIE RING.
Judges Of Pugilism Tell Interesting
Stories of THAR Experiences

Stories OF Tn3lr Experiences
CHARLEY WHITE, SAM AUSTIN,
TIM HURST RELATE INCIDENTS
OF AN UNUSUAL CHARACTER,
IN CONNECTION WITH FIGHTS
THEY HAVE ATTENDED OFF,
CIALLY - # H E FLAHERTY-
GARDNER "GO" AT HARTFORD
AND THE TEMPER OF THE
CROWD.
There has been a good deal OF dis
cussion recently among sporting men
all over the country anent the Bonner
West boxing contest at the Lenox Ath-
letic Club in New York, which came to
such an abrupt and sensational end
during the eighth round. For the bene-
fit of those who are not familiar with
the circumstances it may be stated
briefly that when Jack Bonner, who
was a 8 to l favorite, stood up for that
round a very strong odor was noticed
by all who were close to the ringside.
Almost as soon as the round started
West put his hands to his face and
cropping his way toward Charley
White, the referee, said:
white, that man has put something
on his gloves. / can't see."
= Just then the referee himself felt the
same effects and was almost blinded by
the all pervading fumes.
Investigation showed that somebody
had smeared Bonner's arms with Oil OF
mustard, which is very pungent. VI
course the referee declared West the
winner on a foul, which, it is alleged,
was exactly what Bonner's friends
we're hoping for, they having placed, it
is said, a good deal of money against
him. at remunerative odds. OF course
this is the version of the affair given
by BOnner's enemies.
Whatever may have been the object
the matter created. a good deal OF talk
and certainly has not improved the
status Of boxing in New York In
conversation with White, the referee,
about that incident I said that in his
long and varied career as a referee he
must have had many strange and in
~teresting experiences. He replied that
such was the case.
"Any man." said he, "who has had
much to do with ring matters has hit
up against many queer games and fun
ny incidents. Most of them, Of course,
have been in. connection with compare
lively unimportant contests, for when
well-knOwn men ARE matched n much
money is at stake great care is taken
by everybody concerned that every
thing shall be square and aboveboard.
Lots of people think Ahat a referee has
a very easy job, and l have known men
offer to judge contests just for the no
toriety Of the thing and even offer
money to be allowed to do so. AS a
matter Of fact, like Gilbert and Sulli-
vans famous policeman, a referees
lot is not a happy one
"First, one has to consider the pub
lie, who have paid out their good mon
ey to see the sport, and then the press,
which can make or mar a man in a
day, especially in the metropolis. If
a referee is not absolutely honest and
recognized as such by the public, he
had better get out of the business.
"The only time a bride "a offered
me to influence my decision was when
I was referee in a six round contest be-
tween two men who were to box for a
$40 purse. 1t was before the passing of
the Horton law, and such affairs took
pldCG Ill duy OuL I'll IHc way pldCC ludI
was considered safe from the prying
eyes of the police, and big purses were
unknown. Billy WEIGH, known as Lit
tie Sullivan and a negro, nickpamed
the Colored Lamplighter,' were the
principals. Before the mill L noticed
that the darkey kept lowering round
me, asking all sorts of irrelevant ques-
tons. Just before the time to start he
asked me as to his chances of winning
and then confieded to me that he had
to pay his manager 81, win or lose,
and offered me half the proceeds to
give him the decision. Fancy ever a
dishonest referee throwing a fight for
81!
Another time" continued White,
Casper Leon and 'StOnewalP Pat DAILY
were matched. The contest came off in
an east side hall in New York, and on
one side Of the ring VaS a brick wall.
Leon was about 105 pounds in weight,
whereas his opponent tipped the scales
at over 125. Daily kept forcing Leon
back, so hat the Italian knocked up
against the hard wall. Nevertheless
the latter was getting by far the better
of the scrap and was winning fast.
The audience was nearly all in favor Of
the Irishman. Jim Sullivan, a regular
mixed ale character, was the referee.
Seeing which way the encounter was
going, a spectator yelled out, Say, why
don't you give the negro the decision
Quick?"
HELL not win till Ireland is free!'
roared back the referee, and declared
his own countryman the victor"
White narrated a. story, which he said
Tim Hurst, the base ball and boxing
referee, told him. which shows how
spectators often misjudge a referee and
regard him as naturally in favor of
one OF the men. Jack Bonner, who re-
Gently acquired such unpleasant 10
toriety In New York, and a negro
named "Scaldy Bill" Quinn, were fight
ing at Ashland, Pa. Most of the spec
tators were. miners, who were all hot
hackers of the white man. The negro,
however, was giving his opponent a
hard time, and it was only a question
of a few rounds before Bonner would
be knocked out. The hall was iilum-
mated by means of gas jets aided by
two fiaring gasoline jets.
Recognizing hat the only a to
save their man from defeat was to stop
the affair, the spectators put out the
gaslights. They couldn't reacn the
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