Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-26
DIES IN THE RING
luttaf McCafiy Fatally H.
1QIJtbPunch from Ps|key.
Given IftRatdpas Blow Below
mi. glIIlg First Round.
Dies In About Eight Minuiss.-Pel-
key Arrested. eIeased on Bail.

Calgary. Alberta, May 25-Luther
Mecarty, claimant of the white heavy
weight championship of the world Sat
urday, took the count of 10 from Ref
cree Edward Smith of Chicago. which
marked him the loser in the 10-round
fight with Arthur Pelkey, and eight
minutes later died.
Death was caused by chance blow
delivered somewhere in the region OF
the solar plexus after exactly min
ute and IS seconds of fighting time had
elapsed.
Arthur Pelkey, Saturday night, was
arrested IN the charge of manslaugh-
ter by the Northwest mounted police
ard released short time afterward on
bali.
There were probably 10000 men in
the arena when it became known that
McGarty was dead. A few minutes be-
fore, whetted by the lust of primitive
battle in the prelminaries that had
been fought. it had been a bowling
mob, but the news put a quietus on
the spirits of the spectators and they
filed quietly out of the arena, shocked
b. the tragic end of the battle.
Both men apparently were in splen-
did condition when they entered the
ring. McCarty was the first to climb
over the ropes. He was laughing and
Joking with his friends and assistants
and apparently WAS in confident
mood. A few minutes later Pelkey APP
peareG. Both men We're cheered, Pei
KEY. a strong local fayorite, receiving
the greater volume of plaudits. The
men shook hands, were photographed,
ana the bout started.
The men SPARED cautiously at the
opening, both handling themselves
vel. There were several mixups of
no consequence, then Pelkey jabbed
McCarty on the jaw. 1t was good
stiff blow and McCarty WINGED under
II but smiled.
Then after about minute of fight
ing there was a fierce exchange ana
a clinch. In this clinch, McCarty re-
ceiyed the blow which caused his
death. The referee separated the
fighters.
McCarty stood near his corner with
Pelky near the center of the ring.
Both men were fainting. McCarty
then assumed the crouching position
for probably 10 seconds before he fell
10 the floor. The crowd thought it
knockout and the referee, after maxi
ing the customary counts held up the
hand of Pelky to indicate that he
had been declared the winner.
McCarty's seconds rushed to his
side and began to work over him. AIT
er a few seconds there were calls FOL
a physician. Even then the GROVE
did not realize the seriousness of his
condition. A few minutes later his
death was announced
James Shoort, Kings Council. salt
that an information would be PLACED
against Pelkey and possibly some ,
those closely associated with tn
bout. Under the laws of Alberta, ev
cry spectator is liable to arrest TO
manslaugfter SHisaNEy ca Il X
Almost the last ,wor9s q Mes ar
heard we're from preacher. Tn
pastor Of a local church entered Il,
ring and after saying there was moth
ing brutal in the preliminaries, aske
the great assemblage to think tina
they were daily engaged in a simila
fight In life.
The physician who took charge O
McCarty and made u thorough exaih
ination after death, contends that tn
collapse of the fighter was due eitlle
to organic heart trouble or paralysi
Of the heart. He said that owing t
McCarty's condition blow over tn
heart was sufficient to cause death.
William Mccartney. McCarty's man
ager, is prostrated over the tragic en-
oGhis protege. When physicians an
ney burst into tears.
4All that I have to say is tha
Luther was the cleanest and best 30
/ ever had anything to do WITH Nc
Carney said:
II am very sorry said Tomm
Burns, manager Of Pelkey. 1T is on
Of these things which cannot be help
ed and my sympathy goes out
Pellsey too. He was no more reapon
sible for what happened than ma
would be who was mile away froi
the ring
Pelkey was too much overcome b
the tragedy to make any statement
Mccarty was well known in Ca
gary. where he worked until, ts
years ago. as teamster before
took Up pusilism. Il was here tn;
started his career and here that
ended II.
1t was several hours before a lar
portion ssof the crowd would belle
that McCarty was dead and many r
mained about the arena. until evenii
hoping against hope.
AZ McCarty and Pelkey sat In the
respective corners awaiting the fir
beit speculatioBs as to the outcom
49, -