Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1895 — A HARMLESS(?) PASTIME. [ARTICLE]

A HARMLESS(?) PASTIME.

Prize fighting is a very attractive amusement. Harmless, of course. -Gentlemanly, as a natural consequence. All these fatalities of late are purely accidental. G ood gracious, don’t men get killed every day! A man fell out of a hay mow the other day and broke his neck. Death is always at hand. Hence little drawbacks like the killing of Riordan and Bowen should not be allowed to interfere with “the manly art of selfdefense.” True, the details of the killing of Bowen appear to indicate that the “rules” were adhered to rather too closely. Testimony of sporting men establish the fact that Bowen was hardly able to stand up in at least three of the last rounds . He was utterly exhausted, but “game,” and refused to yield until “knocked out,” a result that was certain after the first round. In short, Bowen was literally pounded in to insensibility and killed for a stake of $3,000. Experts differ as to whether death resulted from a blow from Lavigne’s fist or concussion with the floor. In either case it was clearly deliberate and premeditated murder for money. No good reason can be given why all concerned should not suffer the penalty provided for such a crime.