Reading the Black Hills Pioneer, Deadwood’s Newspaper

PRIZE FIGHT

AT AL. SWEARENGER’S CRICKET

Deadwood was taken by surprise by the hasty announcement of a prize fight which occurred at the Cricket Saloon on last Monday afternoon. It seems to have been an impromptu affair, the parties having undergone no system of training, but a resolve on both sides for a “passage at arms,” and a desire prevailing to test the merits of two good men, the fight was quickly agreed upon and brought about, with the express desire on both sides to see the “best man win.” The contending parties were Johnny Marr, known as the “Belfast Chicken,” and George Latimer, familiarly called “Cook, the Kid.” Johnny Marr stands five feet six inches, and turns the scale at 160 pounds. “The Cook” looms up about an inch and a half higher than Johnny, but averages about the same avoirdupois when placed upon the balance. Jack Williams officiated as second for Johnny Marr, and Tim Brady did the honors for “the cook.” That prince of sportsmen, Billy Nuttall, was chosen as referee. A better choice could not be made, as Billy is conversant with all matters connected with the ring, and the eager manner in which he watched the fight, the anxiety visibly expressed in the short duration between rounds, and the promptitude with which he called “time” proved him to be the right man in the right place, and though anxious to see the “mill,” he was nevertheless determined to see fair play. Of course the dimensions of the building in which the fight occurred prevented many from witnessing the contest that were eager to do so, but all the available room was occupied and crowded so densely as to deprive many of a fair sight. The ring, or what was so denominated, was a portion of one end of the hall, about twenty-five feet square, divided from the audience by benches placed across the room. “The cook” was first to shy his castor in the ring, and was quickly followed by “the Belfast chicken.” The parties were not attired in usual fighting costumes, but appeared in stocking-feet with trousers and shirt—the latter article of wardrobe not being doffed until the fortieth round. A belt around the waist concluded the make-up, and at two o’clock, time being called, both parties stepped to the scratch, and after the usual shaking of hands, stood up for

THE FIGHT

Round 1—Both men came up smiling. First blood and first knock-down for Marr.

R. 2—Both men sparred around the ring; finally clinched, Marr winning the fall.

R. 3—“The cook” got in his work and won the fall.

R. 4—Sparring, and knock-down for Marr.

R. 5—Both men intent on business. Marr wins the round by planting a square hit on “the cook’s” fly trap.

R. 6—“The cook” serves up a warmer dish for “the chicken,” and wins the round by a fair knock-down.

R. 7—Fall for Marr.

R. 8—Draw.

R. 9—“The cook” succeeded in getting Marr’s head in chancery, administering several soothing poultices, till Marr fell. Round for “the cook.”

R. 10—Sparring and wrestling, until both fell, “the cook” on top. Round for “the cook.”

R. 11—Marr felt of “the cook’s” bugle, knocking him down. Round for Marr.

R. 12—Both men toed the scratch quickly at the call of time, and “the cook” revenged the injury to his nasal organ by knocking Marr clean off his pins.

R. 13—Marr showing symptoms of fatigue; “the cook” looking fresher. Both men clinched and fell together. Draw.

R. 14—“The cook” occupied some time in sparring, but succeeded in knocking Marr against the wall, and clean off his feet.

R. 15—Marr’s head again in chancery. Both men fell together. Draw.

R. 16—Both men quickly on time. Good work was done in this round, ending by Marr planting a telling hit under “the cook’s” left peeper. Both down, “the cook” on top.

R. 17—Marr showing signs of weakness. Some time occupied in sparring. Marr fell to avoid punishment. Round for “the cook.”

R. 18—Marr advances in better shape, and although “the cook” met him with a stunner, it did not down him. Both clinched, Marr falling under, and showing signs of much exhaustion. Round for “the cook.”

R. 19—“The cook” in this round pressed the fighting and accomplished some heavy hitting. Marr broke and [illegible] around the ring, followed by “the cook,” who clinched his opponent and fell on top. Round for “the cook.”

R. 20—Cook, appearing fresh, did some good work, but in the fall Marr got on top. Round for Marr.

R. 21—Clinch and fall, Marr under. Round for “the cook.”

Rounds 22 and 23—“The cook” won the fall.

R. 24—Marr in this round displayed evident signs of gaining strength and wind, getting his work well in on “the cook,” hitting him several times, and winning the fall.

R. 25—Marr fell to avoid punishment. “The cook’s” round.

R. 26—This proved so far the gamiest round in the fight, give and take being the order of the day, but Marr finally proved himself high cock-a-lorum, and won the round.

R. 27—Lively sparring on both sides, “the cook” doing a little work and falling on top.

R. 28—Marr hit very hard, and fell to avoid punishment. Round for “the cook.”

R. 29—Give and take, and hard fighting on both sides. Fall, with “the cook” on top.

R. 30—Both men toe the scratch a little groggy and looking as if something unpleasant had happened. Hard hitting, Marr administering some tearful doses to his antagonist. Clinch and fall, “the cook” on top.

R. 31—“The cook” attempting to hit Marr, the latter dropped on one knee, and threw “the cook” clean over his shoulder. Immense applause followed this round, which was given to Marr.

R. 32—Marr administers much punishment to his adversary. Clinch and fall for Marr.

R. 33—“The cook” begins to show evident signs of weakness. Marr refreshed and very tricky, forces the fighting like a game cock. Round for Marr.

R. 34—In this round “the cook” received some severe punishment, Marr planting a reminder on his bugle that caused the claret to flow all over the floor. In a clinch Marr threw his adversary clean over the table. Round for Marr.

R. 35—Give and take, both men falling apart.

R. 36—Draw, each man falling.

R. 37—Good fighting on both sides. Clinch, “the cook” falling on top, near Marr’s corner.

R. 38—Marr clenched and struggled for some time, but “the cook” fell on top.

R. 39—Marr got in some telling blows, marking “the cook’s” face and closing his left eye. They clinched and fell together. Declared a draw.

R. 40—Good sparring, but Marr fought down. Round for “the cook.”

R. 41—At this stage of the game the men doffed their shirts, exhibiting their shape for the first time. Marr succeeded in punishing his antagonist severely on the ribs. “The cook,” hitting in every direction, won the knock down.

R. 42—Both men appeared groggy and weak. Marr fell, giving the round to his opponent.

R. 43—Good fighting on both sides. Round for Marr.

R. 44—Marr, quick to the call of time, administered a sock-dollager on “the cook’s” bugle, but fell to avoid receiving his change. “The cook’s” round.

R. 45—Marr fought down after good fighting and sparring.

R. 46—Give and take. Clinch and fall, Marr on top.

R. 47—Heavy fighting on both sides. “The cook” won the round, though his eyes were nearly closed.

R. 48—Give and take, “the cook” on top.

R. 49—Give and take. Declared a draw.

R. 50—Clinched, and both fell, side by side.

R. 51—Give and take. Clinch and fall for Marr.

R. 52—“The cook” showing signs of being nearly gone, Marr finally dropped to avoid punishment. “The cook’s” round.

At this time, by consent of the referee, the fight was postponed until the 28th of January, when it will be renewed for a purse of $250 and the gate money.

Although no satisfactory termination was gained by this encounter, all decided it was as game a fight and as fair a contest as could be desired, both men displaying an amount of verve equal to all such occasions, and enough sand to convince each other that should they again stand up for a passage at arms the winner will have enough to do to earn his laurels. The fight lasted one hour and forty minutes, and was allowed to proceed without annoyance or disturbance.

from Slate Magazine http://bit.ly/2WoF8J2
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