Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-09-28
THE BELFAsT SPIDER.

Isaac O'Neil Weir, known as the Belfast Spider, whose death was re- ported in Fridays Democrat, was at one time the featherweight cham pion of the world. Weir was born in Belfast, Ireland, February 5, 1867; was t5 feet 6A inches in height, and seldom tipped the beam over 120 pounds. He worked for a horse dealer a few years and then went to England, where he became connected with racing stable. Ill 1885 he began boxing. Among the men he whipped in England were Harrow, Joyce, Jones and Billy Sykes. In March, 1886, he came to this country and on April 27, in a tryout at the west end, Hartford, the way he beat Billy Snee stamped him as wonder.
 His first important battle was against, Jack Farrell of New York, who was considered one of the best featherweights in the country They fought with skin gloves in New York, January 25, 1887, and Weir won in seven rounds.
 His next noted battle was with English Jack Williams for Holske's championship belt and purse of $400. The men met on March Il. 1887, and Weir won in thirty-six rounds, Queensberry rules, lasting through hours and 23 minutes. Two ounce gloves were used.
 On May 1, 1887, Weir fought Will Clarke of Philadelphia for the cham pionship and 1000 at Nyack, N Y.. and after twenty bloody rounds Clarke was completely blinded and his seconds threw up the sponge in token of defeat. Kid gloves were used in this battle.
 Weir's next notable battle was with Jack Havlin at Westerly, R. l., July 20, 1887. This was also for the championship, and with kid gloves. for purse. The Spider got first blood and smashed his hands badly in the unsuccessful endeavor to whip the game little North End lad, and after sixty-one rounds the referee, at the solicitation of the spectators, or dered the principals to shake hands and called 1t draw.
 On October 1, 1887, Weir placed another draw to his credit, when he met Johnny Murphy in seventeen rounds, with big gloves, for purse of $1,000 During December of the same year Weir went on a sparring tour of western cities, and fought twenty round draw with Tommy Warren at Minneapolis; whipped Tommy Miller in seven rounds at the same place and whipped George Sid- dons in II rounds at St Paul. On December 4, 1888, he fought eight rounds with Tommy Danforth at the Athenian club and got the award on points.
 Frank Murphy, the crack feather weight, was Weir's next prominent opponent. They fought with skin gloves for $1,50O purse at Kouts. Ind, and the battle was declared draw after 80 rounds.
 The Spider" met Billy Murphy of Australia for the worlds feather weight championship and a $2,25U purse at San Francisco, January IS, 1890 Weir was knocked out in 14 rounds.
 On December 14 4of the same year he sailed for Australia, but spared only few exhibitions there and re- turned to America the following February.
 Weir's next notable battle after his return was with Johnny Griffin, at Nantasket Beach, April 25, 1891. The bout was stopped by the police | In the fourth round. when 1t looked bad for Weir.
 "The Spider" met his old rival. Billy Murphy of Australia, in Bos- ton November 2, 1893. and Wei. | won in six rounds.
 His next important contest was with Young Griffo, the clever Aus tralian. in Chicago, March IT. 1894. Weir was bested in three rounds, | when the police stopped the bout.
 His last bout was with Mike | Sears at Lynn. March 17. 1898. and The Spider" lost in 10 rounds.