Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-17

11NG MAJ 1EhO.
The Drovers Home Athletic Club was
packed last night to see the twenty
round go between Eddie Gardner, Of
this city, and Johnny Van Hest, OF
Cincinnati. Tine result was one of the
prettiest battles ever seen in this city
or vicinity, although Van Heest is age
ing and is not the man he was ten years
ago. After the eighth round Van Heest
seemed to lose strength, landing very
few blows. At first his powerful
swings looked very bad, but Eddie
avoid nearly every one, at the same
time sending in upper cuts with his
right to the heart.
Gardner never looked in better con-
dition and it was every ones opinion
the kids" brother is getting more
clever every time he goes on. Had he
had more steam the battle would not
have lasted ten rounds, but he fought
more with his head than ever before,
and at the end was in excellent trim.
Gardeners appearance at the end was
the same as when he stepped into the
ring. The only markings he had were
on his right forearm, with which he
blocked most of Vans swings. Van
Heest's right side and neck showed
signs of the pounding he received, but
otherwise he was all right. There was
no blood drawn during the contest.
The fighting was clean all the way
Through. At different times when the
men tripped over each other, each as
sisted the opponent to rise. The trick
Van Heest has Of talking to an OPP
ponent during go led many to believe
that the bout was a fake, but Gard
ner's work especially all through quel-
led any suspicion of the kind. as he
kept after his man at all points of the
game.
Gardner forced the fighting all
through. After the eighth round he did
all the fighting. Van Heest stood his
punishment we'll and surprised every
one with his ability to take as much as
he did. 1t was very pretty exhibition
and every one was pleased.
There was little or no betting at the
ringside Some Van Heest money was
offered until during the third round,
bat it found no takers as Van Heest's
ability to show up very early.
For preliminary two local weights,
Fritz, of East Wheeling, and Criswell,
of Benwood. did three rounds of hard
battling. At the end Of the third both
were pretty we'll gone. Criswell quit
and referee Patsey Gavin gave the de-
cision to Fritz.
1t was almost As when the big bout
started. Van Heest stepped into the
ring accompanied by Jim and Kid
Ash, of Cincinnati. Gardner followed
a moment later accompanied by George
Nau and Shad Morgan, of this city, and
George earle, of Benwood.
In the first and second rounds no
smashing was INDUCED in by either man.
The sparring was cautious, and at the bell
ending the second the honors were even
Round 3-Gardner started to work on
Vans heart. landing two right punches in
succession. Van swung his left to the
body countering hard with his right.
Gardner sent his left to the jaw and fol-
lowed later with a stiff left on the stom-
ach. Van Heest missed a left swing to the
body, but countered successfully to the
neck as the bell rang
Round lin this round Van Heest mss
ed every time he led Gardner sent his
left to the stomach twice. Gardner swung
his right hard to the heart He followed
twice more before the bell.
Round 5-Van Heest rallied in this rourd.
taking the offensive all through Van
opened with a left swing to the neck. fol-
lowing it with right hard to the stomach.
Van blocked a left punch. sending his
left to the face Gardner sent right
swing hard to the heart. The bell saw
the men clinched.
Round eddie opened with a stiff right
to the heart and followed with a left to
tDc lace tsHNiS SEM MS 4GAl ~ int StOlil-
ach and led his right for the heart. but
Van stopped it with stiT left square on
the jaw Gardner sent his right TO the
heart three times in succession. Before
the bell Van landed stiff left on the
stomach
Round 7-Gardner sent his right to the
heart. Van tried TO get away from sec
ond lead for the same place and got in on
the ear Van swung his left to body,
countering successfully on the neck.
Gardner sent stiff right to the ear sec
ond time. Van landed with his left on
the body, but missed his counter. Gard
ner sent his left 10 the body twice before
the bell.
Round SIN this round Van Heest began
to show signs Of distress Gardner sent
his left to the stomach, following with a
right TO the heart. Van swung his left to
the body. Gardner then landed rights and