The Portland daily press., 1899-08-01
A FAKE FIGHT.
Crowd at South Portland Was
Disguised.
Two Hundred and Fifty men Paid Good
Money 10 Hear Manager Burgo Talk.

Walter Burgo Of pugilistic fame, who
has appeared at several OF the athletic
clubs In many of the larger cities, secured
Seaside Hall in South Portland for an
entertainment last evening, the principle
features of which were to be six scientific
boxing contests Of six and eight rounds
each. Posters were scattered throughout
the city and at the appointed hour, $50
O'Clock, thers Were gathered together not
less than st0 people who had paid the
GOLD cash, 70 and IS esnts each, TO see the
light. A sixteen foot ring WAS pitched In
the center of the hall and early IN the
stage Of the game MIR. Burgo smilingly
appsared la the cefater and thanked the
crowd for tteir patronage and In q suave
manner advised everyone just how to
conduct themselves during the shot
bouts" He was not going 10 allow any
dirty work and wanted everyone to ag-
plaud when they felt like it but to be
careful not 20 express their feelings by
Kisses, etc. lie announced as q sort OF
curtain raiser a novel thing never seen IN
this section of the country and called it a
shoe contest. Seven kids thereupon APP
peared, tock Off their shoes which were
put In bag, and after the shoes were
shaken up. the bag was einptied and the
kids dove and scrambled tor shoes and
own pair on first. McAllisttsr was first,
and Gnrran second
Following this coutsst which was very
Well In his way, hut not on the bill and
certeiniy Dot what the "sports' Of the
city went 10 see, there was q long and
tedious wait. To relieve the suspense
some one went to tha piano and began 10
play. Int 1T was eyidsnt by the noise of
the crowd that music of that kind was
not what they wanted and finally Mr..
Burgo made hts second appearance in the
ring and aaid that he would explain thu
Lewiston was all ready to go into the
ring with Lavigne of Boston," said Bur-
go, but Lavigne wodld not go In until
he got his money" Lavigne appeared
soon after and told the crowd that he had
been trimmed too many times by these
lighting MANAGERS and wanted his money
before the :go." lyon arc right Kid, 4"
cried someone from the crowd. After
this another long delay followed aud Ii
began TO dawn upon the crowd that they
were the victims of q fake of the first
water. They We're demonstrative. and
rightly so, but In no sense disorderly. 1t
began to look IL nothing would he pulled
Gu and there were loud cries Tor Eurgo
A bout this time there was push
towards the box office aud at this juno
ture Constable . Nell entered tina Ering
and assured the crowd that If BurgO did
4
minutea. money woi.id be refunded.
This anieted things and soon kid La
vigne and Mahoaey entered the ring and
went through our tame, spiritIess rngnds
10 WAS no match at all AS the Kid out
classed his man In every point.
Then came Burgo and Wilson who were
billed for an eight-round contest. Larry
Mccormick tho roferee announced a four
round 60 and this made the sports mad
eve wont stand for it," money back !"
came from oil sides and it looked as
though the patience OF the crowd w.sioh
had been taxed 60 the utmost Turing the
whole evening had reached Eliinit md
something was going 60 crop. Barge said
his right arm mad been broken EoIno time
, ago but this appeal to the s,mpathie of
the boys did net work. Larry McCor-
| mick said "Tee boys were entitled to an
eight -round go and he felt ashamed that
| they could not have it, Wilson was
ready fer eight rounds provided he could
be paid accordingly but Bareo then
claimed that he was shy about SO which
some one had COLLECTED by selling tickets
outsiSs OF the box office. "Ico thin"
said the boys. at Is . anne we paid
our money" etc, ana 80 1t went en- until
Burgo and Wilson went at each other for
four-round bout which It is hardly
necessary 70 describe Bur3o Is Q strong
scientit, fighter and showed up we'll In
the ring. Wilson Is lighter man and
quite sh.sty but therea sssnel TO be net
much earnessness in the affair ezosps on
The Part Of many OF the observers who
. would likc to have seen kncckeus blow
administered to Rurgo for the gigantic
take OF which he willingly or otherw tso
had haatfe them the victims.
Tie Volkssead Is diteassiae President
hruaer'n proposal {, ..iminlte thu gus