|
_ The
fight between Mike McCoole and Tom Allen took place today, on Foster's
Island, about twenty miles down river. Jerry Donovan and Tom Kelly
acted as seconds for McCoole, and Butt Riley, of New York, and Sherman
Thurston for Allen. Jack Looney, of St. Louis, was umpire for McCoole,
and Eph Holland, of Cincinnati, for Allen. McKinney was chosen referee.
Both men presented a fair appearance, but Allen much the better.
McCoole's friends were greatly disappointed at his condition, he being
fat and showing signs of unskillful training.
_ _ ORIGIN
OF THE FIGHT
_ After
his defeat by Gallagher, Allen was evidently anxious for another
encounter, in order to give a more satisfactory demonstration of his
skill. He contended that the victory won by Gallagher was a mere
accident, and he was, therefore, desirous of having a battle with
somebody. His attempts to coax Gallagher into another engagement
failed, and, after much skirmishing for an opponent, McCoole's name was
brought forward. It should be borne in mind that McCoole had retired
from the ring and had resolved never to enter it again. Much influence
as well as considerable provocation was brought to bear upon him to
fight, but for a long time he resolutely declined. But Allen and his
men so perseveringly kept up their cry for warfare that McCoole at
length consented. Then another difficulty arose - McCoole had made up
his mind not to fight for a small sum. It appeared, however, that
Allen's friends were unwilling to risk a very large amount upon him.
The matter had almost fallen through, when McCoole - doubtless somewhat
exasperated by taunts and supplications - reluctantly consented to a
match for $1,000 a side. The principals and some of their friends met
in St.Louis, where the articles of agreement were signed and the first
installment of the battle money put up. Shortly afterwards the men went
into training, McCoole selecting the Fairland House, while Allen so
adjourned near Cincinnati. Both proceeded vigorously with their work,
and were speedily brought into excellent trim. From the very beginning
McCoole was the favorite, though Allen's friends were confident of
victory.
_ _ THE
FIGHT
_The
men entered the ring at a quarter to two o'clock, but the fighting did
not commence until some time after. McCoole won the choice of ground,
and offered to bet Allen $2,000 that he would win the fight. Allen made
a speech, saying he was an Englishman, had no money and could not
accept McCoole's offer, but asked for fair play. The men then went to
work with the following result:
_ ROUND
1.- The men approached each other cautiously, but with confidence.
There were a few exchanges and then hasty hitting at close quarters.
Finally McCoole planted a heavy blow near Allen's eye, knocking him
down. First knock down and first blood claimed for McCoole, although
blood appeared on both faces.
_ ROUND
2.- Terrific blows in rapid succession on each other's faces, resulting finally in favor of McCoole.
_ ROUND
3.- The men eyed each other with the ferocity of gladiators, and after
a few severe blow they clinched and fell together. The struggle caused
intense excitement, and McCoole's friends realized that the giant had
met a man worthy of his steel.
_ ROUND
4.- McCoole came to the scratch with his face bleeding profusely from a
terrible gash under the right eye. Allen fought cautiously, evidently
husbanding his strength. McCoole got in heavily on Allen's ribs and
latter went down to avoid another sockdolager. The wildest excitement
now began to prevail at the seeming change in the prospects of the
fight.
_ ROUND
5.- Heavy fighting throughout. There were desperate exchanges, during
which Tom administered two or three terrific blows on Mike's face,
which seemed to be a mass of blood from forehead to chin. He had
terrific gashes under both eyes, and his face was a horribly
disfigured. The combatants clinched, and after a desperate struggle
both went down together near the ropes. The round was decided in favor
of Allen.
_ ROUND
6.- Heavy Hitting. Allen seemed to be the freshest of the two and
looked very complacent, dancing around his opponent with ease. After
some sharp hitting the round resulted in his favor.
_ ROUND
7.- McCoole presented a forlorn appearance, and looked fresh and
cheerful. After some exchanges of a not very satisfactory character to
McCoole, Allen decided to go to the grass in order to escape another of
those terrific blows from the giant's sledge hammer.
_ ROUND
8.- The backers of McCoole urged him to make short work of his
opponent, but in vain, for the prestige of the giant was rapidly being
demolished before the superior skill and tactics of his antagonist.
Mike struck out wildly with his right, but missed the mark, his
opponent lighting on his potato trap with terrific effect. McCoole
received terrible punishment in this round, and it became evident that
the fight would come to a speedy termination, the giant being partly
knocked off his pins, which ended the round. Allen looked bland and
serene at the close.
_ NINTH
AND LAST ROUND - Both men were slow in responding to the call, the
noise and excitement being intense. The referee could not be heard. The
combatants approached each other and engaged at very close quarters. In
a few seconds they clinched and rolled over side by side in close
conflict, while both were hugging mother earth. Allen placed his hands
on the eyes of McCoole and was gouging them desperately, when the cry
of "foul" was raised from McCoole's corner.
_ The
rope was cut and the wildest excitement prevailed for a few moments,
but the crowd soon after dispersed towards the boat. The referee was
afraid to give his decision. Several pistols were presented at his
head, but he refused to decide the matter until he reached St. Louis.
_ Allen
out fought McCoole all the way through, and to all appearances, would
have won the fight if he had been allowed to proceed. McCoole was much
blown and badly punished, and was, in reality, whipped. The fight
lasted about twenty minutes.
Another Account - No Foul Blow Nor Gouging Done by Allen - Outrageous Conduct of the McCoole Party - Their Determination That Allen Should Not Win the Fight - Probable Decision of the Referee is Favor of Allen.
ST. LOUIS, June 16, 1869
The steamer Louisville, with the prize fighting party on board, arrived
here this evening. It is the general opinion of those present at the
fight and competent to judge, that there was neither a foul blow struck
nor any gouging done by Allen. The general belief is McCoole's friends
determined from the outset that Allen should not win the fight nor get
any money. It is freely said that McCoole's friends acted in the most
shameful manner, displaying knives and pistols with the view of
intimidating Allen, and in other ways showing they intended having
everything their own way. The rope is said to have been cut as early as
the sixth round, but as Allen was evidently master of the situation
neither he nor his friends made a point of it. The second round was not
in favor of McCoole, as previously reported, but Allen punished his
antagonist very severely, and from that time it was evident McCoole was
no match for Allen. In the third round McCoole lost control of himself,
became angry, fought wildly, and to the end of the battle was at the
mercy of Allen.
_When
the rope was cut on the last round, McCoole's friends crowded in the
ring, and with pistols and knives drawn, demanded of the referee a
decision in favor of the "giant."
_It
is stated that the referee will publish his decision in the morning
papers. That McKinney was afraid to decide in the ring against a foul
for fear of being killed on the spot, there seems to be no doubt. The
reservation of the decision until morning is believed to be favorable
for Allen, and to give McKinney time to leave town and escape the
vengeance of McCoole and his friends.
|
