Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-02-10
FOUL ENDS A FIGHT.
Henry Biermann lis Awarded a
Decision Over James
Shannon.
ROCK ISLANDERS GOOD SHOWING

Makes His Initial Public Bow Bidder
for PugIlistic Honors in an Exhibition
at Turner Hall Last Night, and Could
Have Easily Gained a Victory. But Would
Not Obey Referees AdmonitIon.
James Shannon, a local 125-pound-
er, made his public debut as bidder
for pugilistic fame at Turner hall last
night, meeting Henry Biermann, one
of Moline's shining lights of the roped
arena, in a boxing exhibition that
was slated to last 10 rounds. But
Shannon, in his anxiety to give his
adversary the quick finish, persisted
in fouling and was disqualified in the
sixth round, the decision going to
Biermann.
The fight was supposed to be on the
quiet; Those who were privileged to
come into possession of an admission
card-and there were about four hum
dred of them from the three cities
were tipped II give the lodge sign at
a certain doorway leading to the hall at
ll:30, the main entrance being dark
ened so that as little publicity be given
to the affair as possible. The crowd
was unus uaIlv well well-behaved.
When the enthusiasm would be-
come too pronounced, one of the
managers would ascend stool and
sound taps and there would be an in
Simultaneous change from a scene of
shouting and hand waving to one of
absolute quiet.
1t was but a few minutes of the
midnight hour when the agile-looking
gladiators wendell their way into the
ha hot
holders, seconds and other super
mum erAries, and clothed in heavy
sweaters, and sending piercing and
knowing glances outinto the audience
as much as to say watch me-"
VIII Horton, of Moline, was chosen
referee. and Perry Merryman. of Mo-
line. official timekeeper. When the
scrappers stripped for action and
touched palms opinion as to the out
come seemed 10 favor the Moline man,
as he has had the experience, whereas
his opponent was beginner and his
friends feared would lose his noggin"
and fall an easy prey to the superior
science and stif punches OF Biermann.
shannon ii Surprise.
But Shannon proved an agreeable
surprise TO his admirers, as well as to
the Moline fighter aud the crowd of
rOoters he brought with him. Con-
trary To expectations, Shannon WAS as
cool as Il cucumber throughout the
contest, and there was every indication
he would score clean victory
had he obeyed the admon-
itions of the referee to re-
frain from hitting in the break
away. The first round was fast and
furious. Both had apparently re-
ceived instructions from their respec-
tive corners to give the crowd speedy
action for their money. While neither
man displayed much science, Bier
mann was probab V better equipped
in this respect than Shannon, but the
latter bad the best OF it in coolhcaded-
ness and strength to deliver effective
remarkable rapidity on Biermann s
Stats. Biermann responded with
equal alacrity, but he did not land
as often as his adversary; Meth
er did his blows have any apparent
force.
In the second round Shannon drew
first blood, a stream of the crimson
fluid flowing from Biermann' 5 nostrils,
after the nose had been in touch with
a vicious poke. Biermann was dizzy
when the gong sounded.
There were cries of foul in the third |
round from Biermann's corner. Ref
cree Horton was obliged to go be-
tween the men frequently. Biermann
was sent to the ropes several times, |
and once protested to the referee that
Shannon was hitting him in the |
breakaway. The referee during the in |
PERMISSION announced that he was I'M
able to make the fighters break clean
Biermann having escorted to Shan |
mons tactics, but the Moline tighter |
seconds demurred, and the referee re- |
scinded his.decision and warned the
contestants he would disqualify the |
first one caught using unfair tactics. |
in the fourth and fifth rounds Shan |
non pounded Biermann all over the |
ring. and could easily have de-
feated him. In the sixth round when |
it looked as though one good punch |
would have finished Biermann, Shan |
non fouled and Referee Horton award |
ed the decision to the Moline man.
1t was hot scrap. and although of |
shorter duration than the spectators |
satisfied all present. |
Shannon. his trainers say, is a conner, |
and will be heard from before long, as
ne proposes to go after some of the
in mis- class.
Bismarck's Iron Nerve
Was the result of his splendid