Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/496

Rh Note the newsless headline, the entirely chronological treatment, the lack of a sharp first paragraph which would let the hurried reader at a glance how the battle came out, and compare the sport vocabulary with Damon Runyon's, John Kiernan's, or Grantland Rice's, for instance, or L. H. Gregory's, George Bertz's, Harry Leeding's, or Billy Stepp's. Here it is:

"At nine o'clock yesterday morning, a prize fight came off about one mile from this place, between Jim Burnes and Dick Doyle. Both were stript to the belt, and displayed much muscular power. Burnes' weight being 205 pounds, and Doyle's 190. The first round was entered into by both with courage and confidence, and lasted one and three-fourths of a minute, both striking awkwardly, displaying anything but pugilistic science; Burnes, however, succeeded in getting home a heavy blow just above Doyle's left looker, which brought him to the ground.

Second round. Time was called and at it they again went with increased courage, both parties succeeded in getting a stunner upon his adversary's smeller, both clinched and fell to the ground. Doyle being under.

Third round. Time was called and both were up to the scratch, apparently trying to see which could make the most false and deceptive motions; Doyle made an attempt to get a blow in but was unsuccessful, when a general exchange of blows were passed, both occasionally sending one home, when they finally clinched, and Doyle was thrown.

Fourth round. This round lasted but thirty-two seconds, when Doyle was compelled again to kiss the ground.

Fifth round. This round was the most terrific conflict of the fight; both succeeded in getting in upon each other's "eaters, see-ers, and smellers," neither fell until they clinched, when Doyle fell again to the ground.

Sixth round. Both men exhausted.—Great sensation now prevailed throughout the entire crowd, each and every one speaking to his favorite. Burnes by the almost superhuman strength of his antagonist was hurled to the ground. Time was called, but Burnes failed to come up to the scratch; consequently Doyle claimed the victory, the purse, and the belt."

Perhaps not much of a fight. But the purse was $10, somewhat less than Joe Louis and Max Schmeling split for their minute and a half in 1938.

Horse-racing continued to receive more attention than any other sport through the 60's. Out of two full columns on page 1 devoted to "The Second Day of the Fair" the Oregon Statesman, then a