Year: 1876

From the Chicago Times Jan. 90


There was considerable excitement among the sport
ing men in this city on yesterday the day previ
ous in consequence OF rumored mill between two
brusers who were anxious to distinguish themselves
in the pugstic line. There any amount OF whis-
pcring and winkng among the knowing ones but they
were exceedingly close mouthed and the particulars OF
the intended meeting we're kept very quiet II was
evident, however, that something up, and when
party Of fifteen twenty Of the old sports seen
vending their way toward the Burlington and Quincy
depot the suspicion became certainty Al the head
OF the party the we'll known Dick Roach VINO was
TO act as referee for the contest and following HIM
the old veteran bruiser Barney Aaron, together
with the champion light weights Arthur Chambers and
Billy Edwards: Tom Kelley, the young man who was
to be OF the principals, and number OF spectators
They rode along TIL they reached the thriving Of
Aurora where they disembarkcd and proceeded
with the preparations for the coming fray.


At Aurora they found another party which had just
arrived from ST. Louis waiting, with Tom Allen at the
mead, and John Ferrell the other principal, together
With few sporting men from that town.


The match had been previously arranged and was 10
be fight at catch weights for $500 side The
onds chosen, Arthur Chambers and Barney Aaron
acting for Kelley and Billy Edwards aud Tom Allen tor
Ferrell, Dick Roach dong duty as referee


Tom Kelley, who went from Chicago Is young Eng


shman about twenty-five years old, and weighed about
125 pounds He was trained by Arthur Chambers. and
is known as Chambers boy. John Ferrel was born
Manchester, England and is twenty-three years OLD
He weighs lbs pounds Both splendid
condition and were anxious TO commence the sport
The seconds proceeded select the ground, and
secluded spot found about miles north OF Au.
The preparations we're quietly made, the
last stake driven and the ring ready for the
fight at about o'clock few minutes after
O'Clock the principals shied their castors into the
closure and Jumped lightly over the ropo The posi-
tions were chosen and the usual prehninaries gone
through with, and at halfpast seven time called
for the FIRST round The men were pretty evenly
matched, and neither seemed be able
get much advantage over the other. Tho first
rounds therefore comparatively unintercstlng
At the third round the began to get down 10 their
work and the spectators thought they were going
have some sport But before the third round
decided uno0kedfor visitor, In the shape Of The
Sheriff of the county, rushing up with posse
men at his back. The official stepped up 10 the ring
and quietly Informed the that tho ght could not
be allowed proceed The principals looked at the
seconds and the seconds looked at The Spectators but
the Sheriff seemcd determined and they did not
10 make sojourn at the Kane County Jail


The stakes and ropes were accordingly pulled out
and the party moved toward the railroad They
walked up and down for some time hoping that the
officer would 60 away and that the hght could 30 on,
but they found that there was no chance and
they sadly wended their way 10 the station and took
the FIRST train for Chicago where they arrived on yes
terday evening Theprincipas are both In good con.
dton with the exception OF lew scratches received
in the FIRST rounds aud are anxious 70 have meeting
al an early day.


IL is thought that another match win be arranged
and the question TO which stand the greatest
amount Of brulsng be settled TO the satisfaction Of all
concerned at some time not far distant