The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-26
Blow to Jaw Was Fatal to
Luther McCarty.
Heart of Prize Fighter Found
to Be Sound.
ORDER ARREST OF OFFICIALS
Warrants Out for Tommy
Burns and Associates.
Police Investigating Origin of
Burns Arena Fire.

Calgary May 26.-Warrants were
Issued early today for the arrest of
Tommy Burns who staged last Satur-
days prize fight in which Luther Nc
Carly worlds white heavyweight
championship claimant, met his death,
William Mccartney, McCarty's mana
ger, Referee Ed Smith of Chicago, and
several trainers and attendants con-
nected with the fight.
This development followed an or
der from the attorney general at Ed
monitor, Alta, that all principals in
the arrangements for Saturdays fight
be arrested, and the northwest mount
ed police were instructed to execute
the order Immediately. 1t is under
stood that they will be charged with
completely in manslaughter.
Arthur Pelkey, McCarty'S opponent
in the latter's fatal ring appearance
who was arrested shortly after the ex-
champions death on charge of man
slaughter. was to be given prelim-
mary hearing in police court at IL
O'Clock today but owing to the de-
cision last night of the physicians who
conducted the autopsy that McCarty's
death resulted from dislocation of the
neck and not heart failure as had
first been announced, it is anticipated
that the hearing will be adjourned
awaiting the result of the coroner's
inquest, which will be held at 4 o'clock
this evening.
Dr. Moshier, who conducted the
autopsy, will lay his findings before
Coroner Costello's jury and it is said
that an early decision will be reached.
The origin of the fire that late last
night destroyed the Burns arena
where the Saturday fight was held,
has not been learned, but authorities
are extending every EFFORT in an en-
deavor to ascertain whether it was
caused by incendiarieS.
Coroner Costello later postponed I'M
til tonight the inquest scheduled for
this afternoon. No reason was given
but it is assumed the physicians an
nouncement that McCarty's death re-
suited indirectly from a blow to the
jaw has complicated matters.
Broken Neck Caused Death.
Calgary, Alberta, May pa dislo-
Gated neck caused the death of Luther
McCarty during his fight with Arthur
Pelkey, according to information given
out last night following an autopsy
conducted bv DR.. Moshier at the re-
quest of Coroner Costello.
1t was stated by the physicians that
death undoubtedly had been caused by
the dislocated neck and that the heart
was found to be sound. A clot of blood
on the brain aided in convincing the
physicians that death was not due tc
the blow near the heart.
Shortly after the contest began
Saturday McCarty received sharp jab
to the jaw which sent his head back
quickly. 1t lid not appear to have
caused any pain and he was afterward
on his feet for half a minute. The left
jab was followed by Pelkey with a |
right to the heart region, which
caused the spectators to believe the
latter blow had brought the knockout.
Physicians are of the opinion that
the dislocation of the neck was not
sustained in the fall which followed. H |
fell slowly and did not strike his head. |
Shortly after midnight and after
the second examination had been made, |
the result of the autopsy held also was
made known. The physicians stated |
the investigation showed that McCarty |
died as the result of the blow to the |
jaw which dislocated his neck. causing |
a rupture of the spinal cord, and a |
hemorrhage OF the spine.
Fighting Illegal in Canada.
In discussing the case, the crown |
prosecutor stated that all prize fighting |
is Illegal under the statutes of Canada. |
a peculiar situation con-
fronts the authorities because |
of the fact that the bout was
held outside the city, that it was under |
the jurisdiction of the mounted police |
and that several officers attended the
contest; none, however, protesting that |
1t was Illegal. The case of Pelkey Will |
not be far enough advanced to be tried |
a the assiZes, which are now sitting |
and if heard will come up in October |
at the earliest.
Manslaughter Charge
Arthur Pelkey, from whose blow Nc
Carly fell dead in the ring at the Burns |
arena will face a charge of man. |
Royal Northwest police have completed |
the necessary papers in the charge |
placed against him.
The fatal ending will have the effect
of putting the lid down tight on box
ing bouts in western Canada. Tommy |
Burns succeeded for just one year in |
running bouts at his arena, located |
outside city limits.
Another Boxer a Victim.
Chicago, May 26.-Frank Carbone.
member of physical culture school
here died from injuries believed to |
have been received while sparring in
the school last Tuesday. The police |
have been unable to find the owner of
the school. or learn the identity of the
person with whom Carbone was SPAR
ring.
Carbone returned home Tuesday
night and told his mother he had been |
struck in the abdomen while sparring. |
Next morning he was unable TO arise. |
He became seriously i'll. and died be-
fore a physician arrived.
Burns Arena Is Burned.
Calgary, May 26.-Tommy Burns
prfzeflght arena, in which Luther Nc |
Carly was killed Saturday afternoon
in the fight with Arthur Pelky, was
burned to the ground last night.
The fire was discovered at IL o'clock
but had gained such Roadway that it |
was impossible to save the building. |
Although the origin of the fire is un-
known, authorities believe it to be the
work of incendiaries.
Four deaths were narrowly averted. |
Wesley Benson, his wife and two chill
dren were asleep in one corner of the
building, and they escaped just in
time. The building was insured.
NIcCarty's Fighting Career.
Springfield, Mo-, May 26.-Spring-
field was Luther McCarty's home and
the scene of his first real fight-that
with Carl Morris, just eighteen months
ago. In that contest McCarty knocked
IL. 4 Ell