Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1893 — INDIANA’S INFAMY. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA’S INFAMY.

Pugnacious Pugilists Punish, Pummel and Pound. Roby"* Great A rena—Result of XcHngh’f BUI— Got. Matthcwi Indignant. On the 3d day of last February, at Indianapolis, Senator McHugh introduced and passed a bill which provided that gymnastic exhibitions and athletic contests of science and skill be allowed within the State. It remained for Dominic O’Malley, of New Orleans to discover that this law had been passed four months before the sheriff of Lake county became aware of the fact Three men besides O’Malley were taken into the scheme, and a working capital of $50,000 was raised In ah hour, and O’Malley began operations. Three acres of properly were bought at a point 100 yards south of the line which divides Indiana from ,111nois, and at a , juncture where three railroads meets, the Baltimore & Ohio, the Pennsylvania and the Lake Shore A Michigan Southern. In addition to the railroad accommodation, the club will have three electriclines and boat service on the lake. It is estimated that 10.0 CO people per hour can bo landed at the doors. Thirteen miles from the city and landing, 300 feet from the club’s building, midway between the tracks of the two last-named corporations, a monster amphitheater has been built. Incomplete) as yet, when finished the arena will scat 18,400 people comfortably, or more than the combined capacity of tho Coney Island, Crescent City, Olympic and California athletic clubs. The arena is lighted by twenty-five arc lamps and a reserve method of illumination is supplied by fifty one-gallon kerosene lamps. Tho power for the electric lights is supplied by a plant owned by the club. c Monday night the first contest of a series at the grounds, which are known as the Columbian Athletic Club, took place between Goddard and Kennedy, which resulted in the dofeat of Kennedy in two rounds. Within twenty minutes after Goddard and Kennedy had left tho ring a gong was rung far the main event, the fight beWeen Costello and Woods, which was continued through fifty-seven rounds and declared a draw.

Over 18,000 people wero present. The Illinois Central ran five special trains from Chicago at 7:30 p. m., followed by trains every ten minutes. Every train was loaded to the brakes. Gov. Matthews was seen at Indianapolis by a Sentinel reporter and expressed his indignation and determination to break up the Columbian Athletic Club enterprise. He had already issued special instructions to the officials of Lake county. Growing warm Gov. Matthews said: “The men of the Columbian Club can make nothing else out of tho exhibitions at their club house than prize lights, and I am sure the old law governing prize fights can reach them. I do not think that the new law repeals the old one, and it is a question of constitutionality that will be tested. If the officers of Lake county do not act in the premises and act promptly I have attorneys in this city who will take up the matter and fight tho projectors of the club to the end. Tho people of the State do not wish this infamous disgrace in their borders and I do not propose to stand idly by and see the latfp trampled upon in such a way.” Martin Costello and Billy Woods, the two prize fighters, and George Silor, the referee, were arrested at Robey and brought to Crown Point, Tuesday, and each gave bail in the sum of 81,060 to appear at the next term of tho Circuit Court, which will not convene until Sept. 4. Sheriff Frederick says that ho will be on hand at all the fights given kt Robey, and arrest all principals and others participating in the sport. He thinks that he took the right course on this occasion, as under the law, he did not beilevo that ho could stop the light.