Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-14
HIGH links ON RIVER.
Puglistic Bouts on Board the
Steamer Jane Moseley.
THERE WAS GAMBLING, TOO
Commodore Sutton and Police Go
Along and Look On.
COMMISSIONERS CAN'T HELP IT
Preacher-Fighter Prays First and
Then Knocks Out His Ring
Antagonist.
THERE WAS GAMBLING. TOO
COMMISSIONERS CAN'T HELP IT

President Roosevelt may be asked to
arrange a series of pugilistic bouts a
sequel to those which furnished excite
ment in plenty to large crowd that
went on moonlight excursion on the
steamer Jane Moseley Monday night and
early Tuesday morning.
This will be news to the chief magis-
trate but his name is mentioned in this
connection.
The negro preacher-puglist who first
prayed and afterward did the Jeffries
act to his opponent in the ring on board
the Potomac steamer. has the Presidents
home address. 1t will be he. if any one.
who will call at 1900 Pennsylvania ave-
nue. within the next few days.
IT happened in this wise:
The man who invokes divine aid be-
fore he fights christened Stonewal AL
len. was elated when the referee Of the
bout declared him the winner AfteH a
little prayer of thankfulness. which he
said on his knees in the battle ring,
Stonewall stepped up to some of his
friends on board the boat
II guess OIL man fight, all
right he remarked, shaking out his
mussed gray wool.
Directed to White House.
I've got man of your weight I will
match against you for 81 .OO0.'" remarked
one of the men. with twinkle of his
eye
Deed. boss. ! couldn't put up any
money. but I want to fight" the preach
er-pugilist answered.
You come around to my office tomor-
row and I will fix it up" he was told.
Who is yo'?'' asked Stonewall
Just see T. Roosevelt Executive Man
sion. Washington was the instruction
given him.
Write yo' name and dress on dis we're
paper he requested. So the preac cher
pusilist obtained Mr.. Roosevelt's name
and address
The preacher-pugilist furnished one Of
the exciting incidents of the moonlight
excursion" on the Jane Moseley. Half a
dozen or more pugilists were in the party
which went down the river late Monday
evening
Stonewall Allen was not regarded as one
OF them. but he sat close to the ring side
and watched the several bouts with
dilated eyes.
colored of Baltimore. and a young white
man, whose name was announced as
Tufts. was going on. the preacher became
greatly excited. The men were unevenly
The white boy received severe punish
ment in the first round. The promoters
of the excursion called off the bout.
Then the preacher -pugilist jumped into
started in to make long speech. He ex-
planned that before he felt the evangelistic
call he was pugilist. And he intimated
that although he was fifty-hve years of
age he believed he could whip any man
of his weight IN the crowd.
At first there was no response. Then
Stonewall became more urgent In his de-
fance.
I'll fight YOU" exclaimed Alex. Brown
a Washington colored fighter. who had
won one of the preliminary bouts. He
jumped into the ring.
Both seemed anxious to have a tryout.
They were taken to one Of the steamer
staterooms. where they donned fighting
clothes and gloves.
Prays, Then Fights and Wins.
AS the pair stepped into the ring again
the preacher-pugilist dropped onto his
knees, closed his eyes and his lips MUIR
INJURED several sentences. AS he rose he |
explained that he was a "God-fearing
man. and therefore began the battle with
a prayer.
The battle went three rounds. The
preacher-pusflist was given the decision.
The longest and main bout of the even
ing was between Kid Egan of this city
and John Smith of Baltimore: For nine
rounds the two men dealt blows and
counter-blows on each other. At the end
of that time. although there had been no
knockout. Egan was awarded the decision
The first battle of the evening was be-
tween Alex Brown and Kid Williams.
both colored. 1t was a four-round go.
Brown was declared winner.
Among the witnesses of the bouts were
Commodore Sutton, lieutenant in charge
of the harbor police precinct. and squad
of bluecoats. Lieut.. Sutton expressed
himself as hugely disappointed In the ex-
hihtions.
II am not a follower of the fighting
Evening Star. this morning. but in these
bouts they used big gloves. think a
real hard hitter would have put any of
them out with one blow
Others of the crowd of 300 enthusiasts
who were on the steamer enjoyed the
sparring matches.
But the hstic bouts were not the only
source OF excitement on board the Jane
Moseley. according to several persons who
went on the excursion. There was poker
playing. crap shooting and some betting.
il is declared, and the barroom did not
suffer from lack of patronage.
G. c. Bensinger. son of the owner of
the steamer Jane Moseiey. and one of
those who went on the moonlight ex-
cursion.' said this morning:
The boat was chartered for Monday
citation for moonlight excursion. Char
tiers are few now. and We were glad to let
them have the boat at the regular price.
Lieut. Sutton of the harbor police
and several plain clothes men went down.
They were given good seats to see the
bouts They made no interference In any
way.
Commissioners Have No Power.
Commissioner West said this morning
when asked about the matter, that he be-
lieves the Commissioners are powerless
10 do anything to prevent priz, fights on |
river steamers
Corporation Counsel Thomas has been
requested by Commissioner West 20 fur |
nish him opinion upon the legality of |
prize fighting and boxing bouts on river
steamers. He is anxious for his opinion |
defining the authority of the Commission |
ers in such matters