The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-26

The former ~pugilist. who died in Boston
years ago. and whose battle with Tom A.
len was one OF the notable events OF its
day.
in 10 make = hurricane fight out Of last
Thursdays battle. II was probably this
change his methods. Finowl ing that Su l van
might expect a r shing fight anu train for
that sort of a battle. Clarence probapl de-
c.ied 10 fool him by trying 10 spar.
For the first few rounds u appeared as
II this change Of tactics was GOIng 10 re-
var did not look at HE best in the rirg
and seemed drawn and worr. His coor was
not OF the best. and Forbes. though some
What soft in the stomach region. apparent
~. locked to have slightly the edge in con-
This may have been merely in appear
ance. As sullivan put Up a night which in
dicated considerable stamina. He took a
good hard wallopinG In part of the battle.
but his strnighter punches resulted in his
landing more effectively than his opponent.
Poth verdicts handed down In the course
OF last Thursdays exhibitions were strict
" correct. Nal Doyle was perfectly justi-
ned i'm disguaiifying Ee=enah. in spite of
the fact that the latter had an Immense
lead at the time. and Paul Fisher handed
down a decision which was considered
iIvnn.
About the only unpleasant incident OF
the main tout vas the tendency on the
part Of both men to hit . tribe low. but
as this was clearly uninjenticnal and no
harm vas done. the slight fouling was al
lowed 10 pass without penalty.
The description Of tho rrize fEht between
Joe Goss and Tom Allen. fought near Gin
cinnati in 1876. and recently reprinted In a
Taper Of thRt city. Is OF interest. as show
irS the contrast between nights As con-
InSted today. an" the old-time system of
The light I'm question was held on ssptem-
ber Z. and the rrg was pitched tuSy -cr,'ss
Tic river in Kentucky. Jem Mace. then
Ire ~hngl-knnEm kOver in EnvfanI Ir1.rrEr
Joe Co.'s g this country with him. and sS-
t1biished him in Cincinnati. Allen had also
years before and considerable feeling ,N-
issed between the men. IL was decided 10
get them together in the ring and SIDE ness
OF SOo were arranged. This was consIde--
ed a large sum In those days to depend upon
a night.
Eph Holland. a Cincinnati sporting man.
was IN Charge OF the AFFAIR and selected a
site in kentOn County as the place for tine
ring Arrangements had been made to
have a special train carry the sports across
the river. but this train was seized BY a
mob OF toughs. who refused to leave the
cars or to pay their fare. Holland was
teSnai to the OCCASION however: He had
train and haul 1t down the road for several
miles. Then In a lonely spot. the mob was
miornsa mat the cars would 80 no further.
the city as best they could.
The sports were then placed I'm another
train. made up hurTiedty. and they were
hauled across the river. In Eenton County
a squad OF militia met the Train and in
formed the promoter that the bout could
not be held there. The ring was accordingly
moved over into Boone County. and there
was pulled or.
Allen lost the fight on a deliberate foul.
but those who witnessed the contest state
that II was one OF the greatest battles OF
i time. One woman was present. srd "A
place was made for her at the rinrsEde.
Eph Holland served as referee and had a
hard time Of it Every moment some friend
OF one o. the otnc. iZhier would apply Vie
enithetS To him and set Up the claim Cf foul.
GOss showed considerable cieverneSs All
the START. but IL was soon evident that Al
len was his master. The latter smashed
Zoe at pleasure in the last few rounds. and
IN the twenty-1rst round he knocked him
completely of his feet. JOe's friends made
such an upTCar. however. that Allen hcr1u,a
frightened. and struck GOss while the latter
was on NE ground. clearly intending to
lose on e foul. Holland then gave the yer
dict to GuSs.
The day was cold and raw and the SPEC
tatOrS had an uncomfortable time at the
ringside. The date was September .. the
same dev on which Jim Corbett won the
championship from Sullivan. sixteen years
later. In spite Of the precautions taken to
get rid Of the tough element. enough of She
dangerous characters had reached the ring
size tn make every one keep a close watch
on his pocketbook.
Both lighters were bald-headed. and this
fact created considerable amusement. No
the scene Of the battle. ard the excitement
was intense In Cincinnati as 10 who uaJ won
the contest.
The troubles az the men dI no, cease
arrested and released on hail. Goss prompt
ly leaving the country for England. He re-
turned later and died in Boston about If
teen years ago. Allen died In ST. Louis
their famous bout was on a farm belonging