The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-02
PRIZE FIGHTER
DEAD IN FRISCO
Harry Tenny Given Death Blows
by Neil
IS HIT AFTER COUNTED OUT
Charges of Poisoning and Doping
Have Been Made by the
Relatives of the Dead
Man.
IS HIT AFTER COUNTED OUT

ny, who was knocked out last night by
frankie Neil, the bantam champion pugi-
list, died at o'clock this morning. Death
undoubtedly was the result of the beat
ing he receiver in the ring. Z rom the
time he was carried from : = orner
last night, limp and all but q Ten
ny sank rapidly. p,
Physicians who RENAME bedside
realized his desperate ce \ and gave
warning that death r G 9 e expected
if the fighter could resuscitated
within a short time.
Some uneasiness &c last night by
promoters. second Jthers connected
with the contest, the condition oi
Tenny after the kl. .k-out was noted
He went down before Neirs battery OF
ripping left-handers during the fourteenth
round about the center of the ring. The
timekeeper counted him out but in the
noise of shouting, Referee Roche did not
hear the completion of the count and
when Tenny staggered up, allowed the
fight to proceed.
Greeted with Howl of Derision.
howl of derision greeted the referee $
ruling
Neil again went at his man like a mad
man and hammered him in his weak
ened condition against the ropes Help
less and without strength to strike blow
in return. Tenny dropped against the
ropes His head sank on his chest and
his arms dropped to his sides. In this
position poor Tenny was literally beaten
to the floor by Neil and counted out
by the referee. He was carried TO his
dressing room and was not revived un-
til an hour later When he did come to,
he complained of pains in his body which
he ascribed to the terrific blows with
which Neil had reached his stomach.
Later the defeated man was removed IL
the bath house where he grew worse
until death ended his suffering.
Mark Shaughnessy attended Tenny at
the death. The beaten pugilist complain
ed of terrible pains in his stomach and
head. At 4 o'clock this morning he fetl
asleep and the physicians left saying all
danger was over. At 7:3O o'clock Shuagh-
messy was awakened by a cry from Ten
ny. The boy was doubled up In agony
and a hurry call was sent in for tho
central emergency ambulance. Before l.
arrived Tenny was dead
Stimulants Administered.
After he was taken to the bath, DR..
McC;innl.y was summoned. Tenny's heart
was weak and the pulse dropped to forty.
Strong stlmulants were administered and
at l o'clock this morning Dr. McGinnity
pronounced him out of danger
How do you feel Harry Shaugh-
messy asked.
II am awful sick. My stomach and head
hurt awfully," answered the fighter.
.fta a,.1e ha dpnnna1 aElnan
No physician was in attendance from that
time until he died. The news of Tenny' $
death quickly spread over the city Or
ders were at once given at police head
quarters to arrest all concerned. Neil soon
surrendered himself, as also did James
Coffroth, Eddie Graney, Willie Britt,
Morris Levy and Mark Shaughnessy. All
were charged with manslaughter and
promptly made arrangements for release
on bail.
It is said two days ago Teny had an
epieptic fit and an autopsy was held to
determine the cause of his death, After
making the autopsy Coroner's Surgeon
Cussaek announced that Tenny's death
was due to cerebral hemorrhage caused
probably by a blow. 1t was discovered
that strychnine and possibly other drugs
were given Tenny during the night 50
the stomach was removed and sent to
the city chemist who will analyze the
contents.
The mother Of the dead boy, Mrs.
Israel Tennebaum this being his real
name. asserts that he was poisoned. A
brother, James Tennebaum charges that
the little fighter was 'doped" before he
entered the ring This sensational charge
is denied by Neil and others connected
with the tragedy.
Mark Shaughnessy one of his seconds
says he fell in a fit after leaving the ring.
Second Death in Month.
Tenny's death is the second resulting
from ring contests here within the month.
On the night of February 8, Alec Doevin
was beaten to death by -'Chiefy john
son in an unlicensed amateur fight at
Colma."
The accused men connected with the
fatal fight were released from custody
on depositing $500 cash bail each. 1T Is
ridiculous to say that Tenny was poison
ed said Shaughnessy. "I was with him
all the time and he had no chance to get
anything that was not regular. | think
Tenny probably died of epilepsy. A few
nights ago he had a fit and last night
he had another one. l intended to ask
some of the family If he was subject to
such attacks | never heard that he was
until some one told me of the attack. He
certainly acted as If he was in a fit, and
| believe that he died in one
Says Charge Is Absurd.
Neil declares that the charge is absurd
because man would have been unable
to fight as hard as Tenny If he had been
given a drug.
Attorney Porter Ashe who appears Tor
the fighters thinks it probable that the
use of strychnine had as much to do in
fastening death as anything else
The body shows a badly battered eye
and a slight abrasion over the heart
Mayor Schmidt says that he Will In
vestigate the death of Tenny and If neg
ligence concerning the condition of the
pugilist is shown, he will recommend to
the supervisors that no more permits be
issued for prina fights.
Captain of roice Duke, who witnessed
the fight blames the referee for permitting
it to continue after it was evident that
Tenny was helpless
Chief of Police Dinan declared today
that the promoters of the fight had com
piled with the city ordinances In every
particular. and that the physicians GER
tifcates had been given to the authorities
as to the ability OF the two contestants
to engage in a ring battle.