Kilrain vs. Sullivan - July 8, 1889 Outside New Orleans - The Sun - 9 March 1909 - Remembrance of Twenty Years Past

The Sun - 9 March 1909 - Remembrance of Twenty Years Past

"It was a twenty-foot ring with the finest inch and an eighth Manila rope strung around the enclosure. There were eight heavy post driven many feet into firm soil. Whew!  It was hot that morning when the sun burst forth with all its fury. Every man was hatless and coatless, and those with umbrellas were lucky indeed. It was just 120 degrees before the fight began, and the New York delegation suffered the tortures of Hades as the wine and the juleps oozed out of their skins. We didn't have to wait long, however, for the fighters soon made their appearance within the roped square. Kilrain came first, followed by Charley Mitchell and Mike Donovan, who were his principal seconds. Bat Masterson was his timekeeper and Denny Butler his umpire. 

(The National Police Gazette 27 July 1889)


Sullivan had a whole pack behind him - Billy Muldoon, Mike Cleary, Joe Coburn, Jack Barnett, Major Hughes, Liney Tracey and Dan Murphy. Tom Costello was the big fellow's umpire. John Fitzpatrick, who was afterward elected Mayor of New Orleans, was the referee. Sullivan and Kilrain each put up $1,000 with Fitzpatrick on the result. 

(The National Police Gazette 27 July 1889)


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