Joe Goss v Tom Allen By Rob Snell

[Mofo2]

The Democrat, Lima, Ohio

14 September 1876

JOE GOSS v TOM ALLEN

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The Cincinnati Prize Fight Brutality.

Cincinnati, Sept, 8, 1870.

So long as there can be found brutish fools to fight them, and less brutish fools to bet money on them, and encourage them just so long will there, continue to be prize fights ,in spite of civilization just as there have been in the past. To disguise the fact that there has been a certain sort of interest here throughout all this Goss-Allen, England-American championship business, will not do. Repugnant as it is, there have yet been few circles which have not been concerned in greater or less degree.

But one thing is certain: that the fact that an affair of thin brutal character can take place within half an hour's ride of the city of Cincinnati, without successful interference, is a sad commentary on American laws and their execution.

I know this is what everyone will say, and must stop here to record the fact that the list of those who have watched to find out where the fight was to be, that they might attend.—and they did attend—would be a good thing to print, and would throw light upon the absence yesterday, from the

counting-room and office of many a business man, who is ''greatly opposed to prize fighting." A city paper has proposed to print such a list. The “Hunting†is said to be fine out along the Short Line now !. Importance was given to the affair by agreement that the result was to decide the championship between England and America.

It was well known which way the party would go for the fight, the arrest, and the bonds not to fight in Ohio, being a sham. Kentucky was the place, and the spot a short ride from Covington. A train pulled out over the Newport bridge some time toward morning, and all across, shoved down to the appointed place without opposition or inquiry. Reaching the locality, a large farm.

THE PRELIMINARIES

were arranged in due form. The match was for $2,500 a side, the money (5,000), deposited some time since, being in the hands of A. F Edwards. The ring was pitched on a level piece of meadow land on the farm of Herman Von Rodemacher, one mile from Independence, Ky., a station on the

Louisville Short Line Road, 12 miles from Covington. It was the London regulation prize-ring, 24 feet in diameter, the stakes eight in number, four feet in height bounded by a double line of ropes, the lower rope two feet and the upper four feet from the ground.

The choice of corners in the ring fell to Allen by the toss of a bit of “hard moneyâ€. He selected a position slightly elevated and his back to the sun which shone out quite clear. Eph. Holland though declining the honour ( ?) was persuaded to act as referee.

As the men came into the ring dressed in their tights, The party was an ugly crowd which huddled about the ring, the friends of each gathered nearest to their man. They were noisy, and ugly. In going out there was

a fight or two. Betting was not so active, but Allen was the favorite. The crowd looked hungry, and doubtless were, having left Covington too early for breakfast for the habits of most of the men. They reached the spot before 7 o'clock. It was but 20 minutes later when amid the cheers of the crowd the two got to their places on the green.

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The First Round

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"Seven-thirty," called a sport, consulting a heavy gold watch. Then immediately came Time!" in a loud voice by Holland. Both bruisers stepped promptly forward, and sparring ensued cautiously but closely for

15 minutes. Allen made a stray pass, went through Goss's guarding struck him fairly on the mouth, and drew blood. The two closed, and Goss threw Allen.

Second round exchanges heavy, Goss advancing with feints, guarded by Allen, Goss worked round and got upon Allen’s ground, which seemed to greatly annoy him. Allen smiled at the situation, but guarded every motion like a bulldog and kept of every attempt to reach him. Blood trickled down poor Goss’s mouth and nose, and just as this was noted Allen got in a hard blow square on Goss’s forehead which parted the skin over the nose. Close work ensued, then Goss dropped to his knees to escape.

Third round – this was short. Goss pressed the same tactics as before, taking Allen corner and once getting behind him. Allen struck a vicious blow, which fell short. After two rapid exchanges there was a clinch and Allen was thrown. Goss was bleeding from eye and nose.

Fourth Round – Did not last three minutes. A terrible blow by Allen on Goss’s neck, knocked him down.

Fifth Round - This was terrible. It opened with sparring. Allen soon struck out taking Goss in the face without falling the latter returned on the stomach at which Allen withstood and gave back in double pressure a terrific one on Goss’s injured eye. Goss struck a fearful one in quick return. The two closed to half arm and Goss fell to avoid a crushing blow with Allen’s left.

Sixth Round – neither showed hesitancy in coming to the scratch. Allen led off and got upon Goss’s face, repeating it with lightning stroke, setting hard on Goss’s damaged right eye. Goss bled badly and Allen fought him until he sank down.

An Interruption

“Time†called Holland for the seventh round. But instead of the response a stampede ensued. The Covington Light Guards had followed and were seen approaching close by. Holland called out as the crowd scattered that the fight would go on somewhere, that the men would not return to Cincinnati till it was fought out. They took to the train, which moved down the road about eight miles to the farm of P.Lane about a mile from Walton in Boone County, where the ring was pitched on a level piece of turf, much better than the first location. In a few moments the men were sent for and entered the ring.

Eighth Round – It was 10;45 exactly when the men were told to get to their places. “Time†both seemed equally eager and began sparring. Allen struck over Goss’s guard, and got in on his face and drew blood. Two wild blows followed each at close length, they clinched and went down, Goss uppermost.

Ninth round – Goss awfully punished. Allen got in hot on Goss’s nose. Allen got in on Goss’s breast and Goss on Allen’s face. Goss staggered, his left eye nearly closed. The round closed by Allen fighting Goss down.

Tenth Round – Scarcely a blow struck. They clinched in Allen’s corner and struggled until separated by the referee.

Eleventh Round – Fighting sharp and furious in favor of Allen. They went down at the ropes, Goss seemed nearly blind.

Twelfth Round – Goss forced the fighting and struck a low blow. Claim of foul was made, but not allowed. The round was in Allen’s favor. Goss commenced to show hi punishment badly. Allen received some heavy blows, but his face barely struck.

Thirteenth Round – Goss’s eyes were fast closing. Allen forced the fighting. A few rapid exchanges and Allen got square in on Goss' damaged face, and knocked him down.

Fourteenth Round —No blow was struck, and Allen was thrown over the ropes. A claim of foul was raised by Goss' friends, but was not recognized.

Fifteenth Round - The fighting was rapid and fearful. Goss could scarcely see. Allen made a quick pass and a terrible blow, taking him in the face and knocking him off his feet.

Sixteenth Round - —The punishment of Goss was awful. His eyes nearly closed, he stood before Allen doing little more than hold his hands in position. Three times Allen struck him nearly fair blows over the eyes and in the face. The blood streamed from his lace. A fourth blow laid him down before his antagonist.

Following this four rounds were fought with constantly increasing prospect in Allen's favor. It was only a question of time when Goss should cease to see entirely.

Twenty First and last round – It was seen that without an accident it was impossible for Goss to win, though the brave fellow, as game as ever, look his punishment with the greatest good nature. As soon

as he faced his man he went for him right and left, but Allen outfought him at every point, and rushed him of his legs. Just as Goss fell on his posterior, Tom struck him fairly on the forehead.

The blow had evidently left Tom's shoulder before Goss struck the ground, but when it alighted it was clearly a foul Without waiting for Goss' umpire to claim the foul, Holland exclaimed. "I give this fight to Goss on the ground that he has been struck a foulâ€