The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-29
Decision OF Five Chicago Refer
ess on Verdict Of Eiler.
According to Chicago Talent
Nelson Won Fight.
VIEWED THE PICTURES
They Say SiIer Could Not Have
Seen the Blow.
Claimed That Dane Had the.
Advantage Throughout.

Chicago. Sept. @sfReferee Siler
could not have seen the disputed blow
landed from the position the pictures
show him, and we. the jury of five Chi
cago referees. stand by Nolan in his
claim that the decision was unjust"
This is the verdict rendered by the
jury Of local referees selected by the
Chicago American to decide whether
siler was justified in giving the fight
to Cans or whether Nelson should have
been the winner.
The jury consisted Of Abe Pollock,
Malachi Hogan, J. B. AfeIuerney, John
Krone and Joe Coney.
This verdict is unanimous with that
Of the 200 newspaper men and their
friends who gathered at the Interna-
tfonaI theaters to see the moving pic
ture reproduction Of the Nelson Cans
fight.
Friends and foes Of Sner alike joined
in the general belief that the veteran
referee could not have seen the punch
landed from the position he occupied
when the blow was struck, as the pic
lures show him, and the feeling is that
he should have counted the colored
man out.
Nelson had the advantage over the
colored man from start to finish He
was the aggressor and was the stronger
at the close of all but two rounds, in
which Cans had a shade.
But for Cans tactics, Nelson would
certainly have dropped the colOred
fighter early in the game. Almost at
every lead for the body Cans would
get Nelson glove under his arm and
hold it there. forcing Nelson to pull
him aid over the ring before he would
break. Siler was on the opposite side
and might not have seen this foul
work, for no other name can be ap-
piled.
As far as Nelson's tactics show in
the pictures. he was not guilty OF but
ting. Cans occasionally used his Shout
der in clinches, and on one or two oc-
casions used his elbow
Nelson never WaVered in his fighting.
He followed his man around the ring
from the tap of the gong until Sfler
announced him the loser Cans might
not have wanted to fight but he had
TO or leave the ring. He was continu-
ally on the retreat.
When the reports first reached here
Cans was credited with two knock
downs. The pictures fail to show even
one Touchdown once Nelson slipped
and again the two fell through the
ropes.
Nelson played heavily for the body,
anu mis- short left jabs to the stomach
told on Cans Twice during the battle
Joe went to his corner and vomited.
The first instance came in the fifteenth
round. and again in the forty-irst. This
showed signs Of weakness.
The reports stated that in the forty
second round Nelson came out Of his
corner and deliberately struck him
low This is not so. Nelson came
from his corner fun Of fight and
strong. They went at each other, work
ing their way around the ring. Siler
was just getting away from the fight
ers. standing directly in the rear of
Nelson, when Cans suddenly put his
hands to his groin as if in pain and
fell 10 the floor.
From the position of Siler he could
not have seen the blow.
The ring filled with people and if
was fully fifty seconds before he de-
claFed Cans the winner. Just why he
waited so long to render his decision
cannot be answered here.
Nolan, however. Is not justified IN
his claim that Siler had his back
turned when the disputed blow was
landed George stood directly back oil
Nelson. his chest almost touching Mel
sons back. In other words. It looked
as though Siier was looking over Mel
sons shoulders. He could not see this
Wallop. That Siler was watchfu
throughout the fight must be admitted
Siler worked hard throughout this bat
tie. and while ne did break some oil
the rules set down in the articles. hs
no doubt had the interests Of both mer
st heart. He was trapped however, b.
the shrewd colored man, or was per.
mltted to be swayed by public sentf
meut. There are still chances OF ar