The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-10-15
Gov. Davidson Sounds Death KnelI
ofthe Boxing Came so Far as
Wisconsin Is Concerned
May EMO SHOWS IN KENOSHA
Local Sports Will Abandon ALI Plans
for the Winter Until After the
Position Of the Governor
Has Been Tested
(From Thursday Daily

Kenosha sports had hard blow this
morning when it became known that
Governor James 0. Davidson had
sounded the death knell of prize fight
ing in Wisconsin and letters have been
sent out to sheriffs in some of the
principal counties in the state giving
the views of the governor in regard to
this form of violations Of the laws and
incidentally clamping the lid down in
the state so far as the fights are con-
ceTned. Kenosha will feel the weight
OF the order as already the Kenosha
Athletic Club had begun the work of
arranging for a number of boxing
shows during the winter and it was
planned to make this series of shows
the biggest series ever pulled off in
Kenosha. The decision Of the governor
came as a result of Milwaukee sports
attempting to make that place boxing
center for the country. The little round
bouts which proved very interesting to
spOrtsmen all over the state and which
were allowed to continue, regardless of
opposition from reformers, did not sat
isfy the Milwaukee sports and they
kept adding rounds until Milwaukee
became ten round fight city and this
brought howl from the people oppos-
ing the fighting game. The letter in
which the views Of the governor are
made known is addressed to Harlan
Tea, the president of the Milwaukee
Boxing Club The letter which is
signed by William R. Knell, sheriff Of
Milwaukee county, is in part as fol
lOwst
His excellency, the Hon. James O.
Davidson, governor Of the state Of Wis
consin, has this day informed me that
complaints have been received at this
department, stating that prizefght is
to be held in Milwaukee city on the
evening of Oct. Is next, and that the
affair is being widely advertised
throughout the state
Ever since the question has been
raised, whether or not the contests CON
Quoted oy the several boxing clubs Of
this oity constitute prizefghts, I have
given the subject much though and con
sideration The pest authorities define
the various features of the question as
follows:
Prizefght-A pugilistic encounter or
boxing match for a prize or wager.
Prizefghter-One vino fights another
with his fists for wager or reward; a
professional pugilist or boxer.
Prizefghting - Fighting, especially
boxing in public for a record or stake.
An investigation Of such exhibitions
heretofore conducted in this city
shows:
First-That for each separate bout
either a stipulated amount or purse, or
a percentage of the gate receipts is
hung up
Second-That the men engaging in
these contests have as a rule, no other
occupation, and they depend upon the
winnings at these encounters for their
means of support.
Third-Tlese contests are always in
public, large crowds ASSEMBLING to wit
ness the Exhibitions.
After taking all phases of the ques-
tion into consideration there can be but
one conclusion. e., that the men en-
gaging in this kind of business are
prizefghters pure and simple
Sections 1920, 1921 and 1922 Of the
Wisconsin statutes of 1898 are explicit
in their language, and the gorvernor
says you are directed to take such &C
ton as will prevent absolutely any
prizefght from taking place within
your county No violation of this
statute against prizefghting must be
permitted"