BOXERS IN THE DARK.
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Lights Go Out at "Parson" Davies' Entertainment.
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ONE BOUT IS STARTED.
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Gans and Roberson the Only Fighters to Appear.
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ACCIDENT TO THE DYNAMO.
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Lights Go Out at "Parson" Davies' Entertainment.
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ONE BOUT IS STARTED.
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Gans and Roberson the Only Fighters to Appear.
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ACCIDENT TO THE DYNAMO.
"Parson" Davies' company of fistic stars gave a one-act presentation of "The Light That Failed" at Tattersall's last night.
Joseph Gans of Baltimore, aspirant for the lightweight championship, and Mr. "Kid" Roberson opened the entertainment. Paddy Carroll marshaled them before the crowd, presented them in due form, and also Malachi Hogan as referee, announced that the two colored men weighed 135 pounds at 3 o'clock, and retired, leaving the two fighters to continue the performance.
For three minutes they devoted their time to executing the fancy steps of an Oxford minuet and pirouetted and tiptoed around the ring till the gong sounded.
Then they rested for a minute and began operations again. Gans swung his right arm and it found lodgment on Roberson's neck and the latter was down for four seconds. Gans landed two or three times more and time was called. In the third they went at each other a little harder. Gans went after Roberson, and after considerable sparring landed a right on his opponent's short ribs and the lights went out.
Master of Ceremonies Carroll asked the crowd to keep cool and wait. Some of the spectators wanted the colored men to fight anyway, but one of the seconds shouted back that they couldn't see each other in the dark, and as Gans was two shades lighter in color than Roberson the latter would have an advantage.
The crowd waited, while little patches of light flickered all over the building where cigars were going and an occasional match was lighted. The wait continued and the crowd disported itself as if it were in attendance at a strawberry festival. The lights winked exasperatingly once in a while, but just as the crowd would begin a yell, thinking the fights could go on, they would go out again. Meanwhile, the two bath-robed figures sat quietly in their corners and waited.
Finally it was announced that the dynamos had gone wrong and the bouts would be called off until tonight.
The crowd left in an angry frame of mind, many of the spectators asserting they had been duped.
"Parson" Davies was also angry, declaring he was the victim of a job. He asserted that the commutator of the dynamo had been tampered with and that the extra commutator had disappeared. The "Parson" averred he had some enemies, who, being unable to prevent him holding his entertainment by fair means, had resorted to trickery and had obtained access to the machine-room and tampered with the dynamo.
An electrician, J. G. Nolan, a friend of the "Parson's," volunteered to repair the damage, but after examining the dynamo said there was a "nigger in the woodpile" somewhere. He asserted that ordinarily any burning out or similar accident might easily be repaired, but he had never seen a commutator behave as the one at Tattersall's did, and the "Parson" was kept busy telling his friends how it happened.
The boxing entertainment did not draw as well as others at Tattersall's have, and the galleries were not nearly full, but the floor space was pretty well taken.
It was announced that the bouts would be held tonight, and return checks were given to the crowd at the door.
1898-06-03 The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL) (page 8)
NO LIGHTS, NO FIGHTS
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Disgruntled Arc Circuit Spoils the Contests.
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THIS IN THE THIRD ROUND
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Spectators at Tattersall's Boxing Carnival Dismissed.
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Promise Is Made That the Full Show Will Be Given This Evening.
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In the middle of the third round of the fight between Joe Gans and "Kid" Roberson at Tattersall's last night the arc-light circuit collapsed, and after half an hour spent in darkness the 3,000 spectators were dismissed with "rain checks" and told to come back tonight.It looked bad for Mr. Roberson about the time that the lights went out. In the second round he had been floored and roughly used up, and he came up for the third in pretty bad shape. Up to this stage he had been used harshly, and if there was any disappointment at the going out of the lights none of it came from Mr. Roberson or his seconds.
When the four strings of light went out Master of Ceremonies Paddy Carroll told the spectators to remain seated; that all would be well again in two minutes. Five minutes later Carroll mounted the platform and announced that the break was more serious than at first anticipated; that it would take at least twenty minutes to make repairs. Half an hour after the circuit became defunct Carroll made his third appearance. He announced this time that the break was irreparable; that it looked like a job; that the spectators would get their money back; that the show would be postponed until tonight.
The spectators made an assault on the box office, loudly calling for the return of their money. Here they were told that no money would be refunded, but that the "rain checks" would be honored tonight.
"It looks to me like a job," said "Parson" Davies at the door. "I think that some one threw a handful of gravel or dirt into the dynamo."
"What would the object be?" was asked.
"I don't know," returned Mr. Davies.
Considerable grumbling was indulged in by the spectators from out of town. When told that the announcement made by Carroll--that all money would be refunded--was a mistake, the sports from a distance sought out Mr. Davies and tried to make it miserable for the manager. But the latter was obdurate, and told the rural ones that they would have to come back tonight if they wanted to get their money's worth.
It was 8:45 o'clock before the opening bout was put on. Joe Gans of Baltimore, and "Kid" Roberson, who now claims Chicago as his port of hail, came on. Al Herford and "Shorty" Ahern were behind the Oriole, while Kerwin and Smith looked after Roberson. From the outset it became apparent that the men were poorly matched. Gans began by peppering his man in the face with straight lefts, and easily avoided Roberson's return efforts. In the second round, toward the close, and after beating a left-handed tattoo on Roberson's face, Gans felled his man with a short right-hander, just back a bit too far to do the work effectively. As it was, Roberson went down and Malachy Hogan counted four. Roberson, badly rattled, got to his feet, but Gans did not press him hard. After one minute and twenty seconds of fighting in the third round, the lights--or rather the lack of them--came to Roberson's relief.
1898-06-04 The Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, IL) (page 7)
FIGHTS LOST ON FOULS
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"TOM" TRACEY AND "MYSTERIOUS BILLY" SMITH PENALIZED.
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Referee Bat Masterson Awards the Decisions to "Kid" McPartland and "Billy" Stift Because of Unfair Work by Their Opponents--Frank Childs and Charley Strong Battle to a Draw--Jack Moffatt Gets the Decision Over "Jim" Janey.
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The electric lights staid to a finish last night at Tattersall's, and "Parson" Davies' show, postponed from Thursday night, was brought off without interruption.The five battles resulted as follows:
Joe Gans of Baltimore defeated "Kid" Roberson of San Francisco on points.
Jack Moffatt of Chicago defeated Jim Janey of Baltimore on points.
Frank Childs of Chicago and Charles Strong of Newark, N. J., fought a draw.
"Kid" McPartland of New York won from Tom Tracey of Australia on a foul.
"Billy" Stift of Chicago won from "Mysterious Billy" Smith of New York on a foul.
There were about 2,500 people in the building, and it was said the managers of the show lost $1,800.
Variety was the distinguishing feature of the program. On paper it appeared that science would predominate, but the early termination of two of the bouts left the slugging element in the ascendency. That the bouts were to the liking of the crowd was shown many times, and seldom have two men brought forth greater applause than Janey and Moffat. A feature of the evening was the demand made for "Parson" Davies, who was noisily received on entering the ring. In a short speech he said suggestions reflecting on him had been made as to the sudden termination of the show on the previous evening, and "money could not purchase the satisfaction he now felt because he had kept faith with the public."
Cleverness of Gans.
Gans and "Kid" Roberson, whose meeting on Thursday night was abruptly terminated by failure of light, began all over again. The six rounds fought showed Gans to be a cool, clever, and two-handed fighter. Only in the concluding stages of the sixth round did Roberson show any signs of equality with the Baltimore man. Then he forced matters and landed several telling blows with both hands. Early in the first round Roberson received a hard left under his sinister optic which almost closed that member. It was an additional handicup against the clever Easterner. A final rally by Roberson in the last round led to calls for a draw, but Gans had too long a lead.
Moffatt and Janey, who were announced as weighing 150 pounds, furnished the event of the evening so far as hard fighting was concerned. A truly wonderful capacity for punishment was exhibited by the "Black Demon." Time and again was his head forced back by the rushing left leads of Moffatt. On numerous occasions the swinging right hand of the sturdy blacksmith landed hard on the head of his dusky opponent. He took them all with smiles except in the fourth round, when he connected with a powerful right swing which sent him to the floor in a groggy condition. The gong brought him welcome relief. Throughout the whole six rounds Moffatt pursued his usual tactics. Some terrific infighting in the fourth ended by Moffatt landing hard on the chin and over-keeling the colored man. The applause that greeted the finish could have been heard for blocks. Moffatt was fully entitled to the decision.
Colored Men Fight a Draw.
Charley Strong and Frank Childs met at 170 pounds. In their respective sections they are considered the best colored fighters at their weights. Strong appeared a trifle stout in the abdominal region. He is long of reach and fiddles persistently with his left. Plenty of footwork marked the six rounds and most of the hitting was done at long range. Few good blows were struck in the first three rounds, and by the time they had finished both men were weary from much traveling. Windmill swings marked the conclusion of the fourth round. In the succeeding two there was but little to choose, and a draw was the natural conclusion.
"Kid" McPartland, who announced his weight at 134, made his initial bow to a Chicago crowd. With such a clever opponent as Tommy Tracey some scientific work was expected. A second or two of preliminary sparring was followed by Tracey rushing his opponent all across the ring and hard enough against the ropes to loosen the corner post. In a "clinch" Tracey landed two rights on the wind. He again rushed the "Kid" to the ropes and in a succeeding clinch again landed twice on the ribs. It was evident Tracey was hot after his man. No sooner had the second round started than Tom again forced McPartland to the ropes. Both fell over, exchanging blows as they fell. Another rush and another clinch followed and both went to the canvas, McPartland being underneath. Referee Masterson had great trouble in parting them. They were together again in an instant and once more fell to the floor. Next time the "Kid" got mixed in the ropes, and while there Tracey struck him several blows. Masterson gave the bout to McPartland, Tracey protesting strongly. By many it was thought McPartland was responsible for the clinching and wrestling, but the rushing style adopted by Tracey was certainly different from his usual methods. Two minutes and twenty seconds had expired of the second round when the bout was stopped.
Stift Wins on a Foul.
"Billy" Stift, who had some ten pounds advantage over "Mysterious Billy" Smith showed up in splendid trim. Smith was armed with two porous plasters and had his right knee in bandages. As far as the fight progressed there was little to choose. The New-Yorker was fast and clever, but several times was landed on heavily by Stift. Stift in the first round fell from the force of a blow which he failed to land. Few blows were struck in the second, which was even. Warmer work marked the opening of the third, Stift taking the aggressive. After one minute and eighteen seconds of fighting Stift swung and fell. While he was down Smith swung a hard right on the jaw, knocking the North Sider to the canvas. Masterson, who was on the other side of the ring, at once gave the fight to Stift. It was a difficult decision, and the opinion of the spectators was divided as to whether Stift's knee was touching the canvas or not. Stift was not knocked out and would have been able to continue. Smith refused to shake hands with Stift.
Malachi Hogan was referee of the first three bouts, and Paddy Carroll acted as master of ceremonies.
1898-06-04 The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL) (page 2)
LOST ON FOUL BLOWS
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Tom Tracey and Billy Smith Disqualified by Masterson.
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STAR BOUTS DISAPPOINT
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McPartland and Stift Are Forced Into Victories.
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Gans Wins from Roberson and Moffatt from Janey at Tattersall's.
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Five spirited contests were brought off last night at Tattersall's, as a result of a postponed carnival of Thursday night, when the collapse of the electric-light plant put a stop to the programme.They resulted as follows: Joe Gans of Baltimore defeated "Kid" Roberson of Chicago in six rounds; Jack Moffatt of Chicago defeated Jim Janey of Baltimore in six rounds; Frank Childs of Chicago and Charley Strong of New York fought six rounds to a draw; "Kid" McPartland won from Tommy Tracey on a foul in two rounds; Billy Stift of Chicago won from Billy Smith of Boston on a foul in three rounds.
The opening bout was between Joe Gans of Baltimore, and "Kid" Roberson of Chicago, the game pair which began the hostilities the previous night, when the lights went out. Neither man did much in the first round. In the second Gans sent in a couple of sharp lefts to the face and to the body, and it began to look as though Roberson was up against the same hard game of the night before. Short lefts in the third round all but closed Roberson's left eye. Gans did considerable damage to Roberson in the fourth, but the local man stood up stoically under the lash. Both fought hard in the fifth, Gans doing most of the leading. Roberson came up for the sixth badly winded, but gamely willing. He fought hard and landed four good, stiff punches on the Baltimorean, bringing the claret. The crowd howled Referee Hogan's decision in favor of Gans, but it was proper and just.
Moffat the Victor.
Moffat and Janey were the next couple on. This was looked forward to as a slugging match, gauged on the encounter of a month ago at the Seventh regiment armory. Harry Gilmore and Henry Lyons acted as seconds to Moffatt, while Al Herford and "Shorty" Ahern were behind Janey. The men went at it from the start, and both earnestly sought to end the contest in a hurry. Slam-bang! they went at it, Janey once upsetting his man with a punch to the body. Both were wild in their eagerness.
In the second, they collided heavily, the exchanges favoring Janey, though Moffatt made valiant resistance. At the end of the second round it looked as though the strength of Janey was too much for Moffatt to overcome.
The third was full of cyclonic mixings, both roughing it viciously. It was a business match, with little or no pretense at scientific boxing.
In the fourth round a terrific interchange of rights and lefts culminated, first, in the flooring of Moffatt, and then, just as the gong sounded, the knocking down of Janey. The sound of the gong alone saved Janey, for he was all but out when the round ended.
The awful pace told on both men in the fifth round, and but little was done by either man. Moffatt did the major portion of the work in the last round, and was given the decision.
Frank Childs of Chicago and Charley Strong of New York were then introduced and "sicked" at each other.
Hoodlums Draw Fire.
Before the bout began there was an assault made on the Seventeenth street door by the hoodlums, which called forth the fire of the Pinkerton men. Two shots were fired in the air, and the mob was repulsed.
Strong and Childs fought at about 175 pounds. Strong was fat, flabby, and slow, and Childs had no trouble in landing almost at will. This for three rounds. In the fourth Strong came back and went at Childs, landing a couple of wild swings and almost winning. Childs came up recuperated some in the fifth round, but neither man could do any effective work. Hogan called the fight a draw at the end of the sixth round.
"Kid" McPartland and Tammy Tracey came on for the fourth number, "Bob" Masterson, the well-known Western sporting man, being introduced as referee. In the first round Tracey landed a few lefts to the "Kid's" face, and in the clinches pumped right short-arm blows into the kidneys. In the second round, in rough and foul fighting, Tracey four times backheeled the eastern man, falling on him and digging his knees into the stomach of McPartland. It was the most deliberate fouling ever seen in any ring, and after warning Tracey three times, Masterson righteously disqualified Tracey and gave the decision to McPartland.
The wind-up between Billy Stift of Chicago and "Mysterious" Billy Smith, Tommy Ryan's old and insistent foeman, was brought on shortly before 11 o'clock. Smith weighed about 160 pounds, the local man closely approximating 175 pounds. Stift appeared all tied up, and in the first round Smith succeeded in sending him in two short ones to the throat and wind, though no harm was done on either side. Stift landed on Smith's jaw in the second, Smith reciprocating in like fashion. They were in at close quarters when the round ended.
There was a warm exchange in the third round, and Stift was forced to his knees as the result of some sharp blows to the body in a clinch. While in this position Smith swung his right full to the side of the prostrate Stift's head. It was not hard enough to knock as rugged a fighter as Stift out, but the local man saw a soft spot and some easy money, and rolled over on his back, simulating unconsciousness. It was clearly a foul, and Masterson, following up the healthy precedent established in the preceding engagement, gave the fight to Stift.
The carnival receipts were $1,800 short of expenses.
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