"One of the Fiercest" Prize Fights On Record Between Tommy Flannigan and Pete McCabe in Pelham on November 1, 1888

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The illegal prize fight had been scheduled once before, but was discovered by police and broken up.  Thirty "club men" who funded and patronized these sorts of illicit sporting contests, however, wanted to see famed fighter Tommy Flannigan of Cincinnati battle up and coming pugilist Pete McCabe of Albany.  Each of the thirty paid $10 for admission to create a $300 purse for the fight.  It was arranged in the dead of night, beginning at 3:00 a.m. in the dining room of an unidentified City Island hotel in the Town of Pelham on November 1, 1888.

Once the fight ended, dozens and dozens of newspapers throughout the United States reported the results with descriptions such as:  "one of the fiercest fights on record;" "blood flowed like water;" "spectators turned away;" "one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles in the annals of the prize-ring;" "a miracle that it did not result in sending one of the pugilists to his grave;" "each blow sent a thrill of horror through the spectators;" "the fight . . . was one of the gamest on record;" and "ten bloody rounds."  

During the fight one of the oddest interludes that could be imagined took place at the end of the sixth round.  After scoring the first knockdown and drawing the first blood of his opponent, Pete McCabe was seated in his corner awaiting the bell to start the seventh round.  He was being rubbed down.  He called for a drink of brandy to fortify him.  One of his seconds handed him a bottle and he took a swig.  McCabe screamed and fell to the floor yelling that he had been poisoned.  The bottle, it turned out, contained ammonia, not brandy.  McCabe rolled on the floor screaming in agony but struggled to his feet and came out his corner when the bell for the seventh round rang.  With a look of sheer agony on his face, he began the battle anew.  Was the fix in?

As I have noted on a number of occasions, during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Pelham was an important center for illegal prize fights.  The tiny little town was near New York City.  At the time, it lacked a large, modern police force.   Additionally, the population of the town was small, so vast portions of the town were unimproved, unpopulated, and desolate.   Yet, travel between Pelham and New York City was easy via two rail lines:  the main New Haven Line to Pelhamville and the New Haven Branch Line to Bartow Station and Pelham Manor.  Additionally, steamships and all sorts of marine traffic served the area via the East River and Long Island Sound.   Thus, Pelham was the perfect place for crowds to gather and bet on quietly-arranged illegal prize fights -- and then to disperse quickly before police or Constables arrived.

I have written about illegal prize fighting in Pelham on numerous occasions.  For examples, see:  

Tue., Apr. 26, 2016:  Another Pelham Prize Fight: American Jim Larkin Defeated Englishman Bill Hook on June 27, 1889.

Wed., Jan. 27, 2016:  Yet Another Illegal Prize Fight in Pelham in 1887.

Wed., Jan. 20, 2016:  Another Exciting Account of 1884 Pelham Prize Fight Between Jim Murray of New York and Tom Henry of England.

Wed., Nov. 04, 2015:  The Famous Nineteenth Century Prize Fighter Yankee Sullivan Fought in Pelham in 1842.

Thu., Jul. 10, 2014:  Illegal Prize Fight in Pelham in 1902.  

Wed., Feb. 12, 2014:  Pelham Was the Scene of Illegal Prize Fights During the Early Days of the "Sweet Science" of Boxing. 

Wed., Mar. 23, 2005:  Prize Fighting At Pelham Bridge in 1884. 

Tue., Oct. 04, 2005:  Front Page of the May 12, 1902 Issue of The Pelham Republican (describing the fight between Joe Gleacher and Joe Kerwin held in the spring of 1902; Gleacher was found in Mt. Vernon after the fight and was arrested, although Kerwin apparently escaped to Philadelphia before his arrest).

A Bare-Knuckled Prize Fight, Circa 1880's,

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Clearly the fight between Tommy Flannigan and Peter McCabe on November 1, 1888 was brutal.  The men wore only "skin-tight gloves" and Queensberry rules governed the battle.  The prize fight began with a "hurricane" of blows by both fighters.  In the second round, Pete McCabe scored a knockdown and drew first blood from Flannigan.  Each round became bloodier and bloodier until the strange interlude of the bottle of ammonia after the close of the sixth round. 

As one might expect, things seemed different beginning in the seventh round.  McCabe was in agony after claiming, between rounds, to have been poisoned.  Flannigan pounded away at his face, body, and side.  McCabe may not have given as "good as he got," but he "gave" well, and pounded away on Flannigan's face.

The fight wore on through ten rounds and forty minutes.  During the ninth and tenth rounds, both fighters could barely stand while trying to pummel each other.  At the close of the tenth round, the fighters went to their respective corners.  At the bell for the eleventh round, only Flannigan could stand up.  McCabe could not even stand up.  His left eye was entirely closed.  His cheekbone was plainly visible through a massive two-inch cut on his cheek the extended all the way to the bone.  Flannigan's face was grotesquely swollen and he also was bleeding.  The referee walked to Flannigan, raised his arm and declared him the victor.

Pelham, it seems, had been the scene of yet another illegal prize fight.  This one, however, was one of the most horrifying prize fights up to that time.

*          *          *          *          *

News of the fight between Tommy Flannigan and Pete McCabe was telegraphed throughout the nation.  Dozens and dozens of newspapers reported on the fight in the dining room of a City Island hotel.  A few of the news reports have been selected with their text, and citations and links to the sources, presented immediately below.

"FOR TEN BLOODY ROUNDS
-----
TOMMY FLANNIGAN AND PETE McCABE STOOD IN THE RING
-----
The Albany Man Knocked Out in One of the Fiercest Fights on Record -- Blood Flowed Like Water and Spectators Turned Away -- One of the Fighters Given Ammonia in Mistake for Brandy.

Tommy Flannigan, of Cincinnati, and Pete McCabe, of Albany, early this morning fought one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles in the annals of the prize-ring.

It was really a miracle that it did not result in sending one of the pugilists to his grave.

In the sixth round, as McCabe was being rubbed down by his second, he called for a drink.  His other attendant reached for a bottle supposed to contain brandy.  McCabe grasped the bottle and swallowed some of the contents.  Then with a scream of pain and cry that he was drugged, he rolled over the floor.

When the bottle was examined by the referee it was found to contain ammonia.

The match between McCabe and Flannigan was to have been fought some time ago, but was interrupted by the police, who arrested McCabe and his backer.

Before going to the fight the principals and their seconds agreed to have Johnny Eckhardt act as referee and stakeholder.  The stakes amounted to $300.

The battle was fought with skin-tight gloves and Queensberry rules governed.

McCabe is 19 years old, and weighed 126 pounds.  He was attended by Jack Toohey and Jack Dunlap.  His height is 5 feet 4 inches.

Flannigan is of the same age as his opponent, but six pounds heavier.  He was attended by Job Higgins, the middle-weight wrestler, and Ruby Collins, of England.  

Tom Henry and Jack Barnett acted as timekeepers.

The ring was pitched in the dining-room of a hotel at City Island.

It was 3 o'clock when the men stepped into the ring and no time was wasted by sparring, but they flew at each other and soon the blows were falling so fast that it looked as if the fight was to end in the first round.

The fighting kept on, in hammer-and-tongs style, and in a short time both men were covered with blood.

The spectators became excited and the men settled down for a long fight.

Neither man gained any advantage, and honors were even until the sixth round, when the tide began to turn in Flannigan's favor, and from this to the finish he simply made a punishing bag of McCabe's face and body.  He landed some terrific blows on McCabe's side.  Each blow sent a thrill of horror through the spectators, and many left the ring side.

McCabe was begged by his seconds to give in, but said he would fight as long as he could stand.

In the last two rounds the men could hardly stand and the blows were almost powerless.

At the call of time for the eleventh round McCabe could not rise out of his corner, and the referee declared Flannigan the victor.

Time of battle, forty minutes.

Flannigan will be matched against Mike Cushing.  Joe Higgins, his backer, declares he has a world-beater."

Source:  FOR TEN BLOODY ROUNDS -- TOMMY FLANNIGAN AND PETE McCABE STOOD IN THE RING -- The Albany Man Knocked Out in One in One of the Fiercest Fights on Record -- Blood Flowed Like Water and Spectators Turned Away -- One of the Fighters Given Ammonia in Mistake for Brandy, The Evening World [NY, NY], Nov. 1, 1888, p. 1, col. 7.

"FORTY MINUTES' FIGHTING.
-----
Terrific Battle Between Tom Flannigan and Pete McCabe.

NEW YORK, Nov. 1.  --  Tommy Flannigan, of Cincinnati, and Pete McCabe, of Albany, fought a desperate battle, lasting ten rounds for a purse of $300, in the dining room of a hotel at City Island.  The battle was witnessed by thirty club men, who paid $10 a head for the privilege.  Flannigan was declared the victor at the close of the tenth round, after almost demolishing McCabe.  An accident occurred in the sixth round which might have terminated in the death of one of the principals.  McCabe, while being rubbed down, asked his seconds for a drink of brandy.  One of his attendants handed him a bottle, containing ammonia, instead of the brandy bottle.  McCabe raised the stuff to his mouth and took a swallow.  He sent up a yell, dropped to the floor and rolled around in intense agony.  On the call of time for the seventh round McCabe was upon his feet and continued the fight, although his face bore an agonizing look, that told of the pain the fellow was enduring.  McCabe is twenty-two years old, five feet six inches high and weighs 128 pounds.  Flannigan is the same age, five feet six inches high and weights 130 pounds.  The fighting was of the hurricane order and was bloody from start to finish.  Flannigan showered blow after blow on the face and neck of his opponent, while in return he received terrible punishment about the chest and face.  McCabe was awarded the first blood and first knockdown, in the second round.  The battle became so wicked toward the finish that many of the spectators turned their heads away to avoid the sickening sight.  At the end of the battle McCabe's left eye was completely closed, and his right cheek bone was laid bare from a two-inch cut.  Flannigan's face was also a sorry sight, his face being badly swollen and bleeding.  The fight, which was one of the gamest on record, lasted forty minutes."

Source:  FORTY MINUTES' FIGHTING -- Terrific Battle Between Tom Flannigan and Pete McCabe, The Saint Paul Globe [St. Paul, MN], Nov. 2, 1888, p. 5, col. 1.  

"THE BLOODY BRUISERS.
-----
Tommy Flannigan, of Cincinnati, and Pete McCabe, of Albany, Fight Desperately.
-----
Pat Killen and Dominick McCaffrey Sign For a Mill of Fifteen Rounds.
-----

New York, Nov. 1. -- Tommy Flannigan, of Cincinnati, and Pete McCabe, of Albany, fought a desperate battle, lasting ten rounds, for a purse of $300, in the dining-room of a hotel at City Island.  The battle was witnessed by thirty club men, who paid $10 a head for the privilege.  Flannigan was declared the victor at the close of the tenth round, after almost demolishing McCabe.  An accident occurred in the sixty round which might have determined in the death of one of the principals.  McCabe, while being rubbed down, asked his seconds for a drink of brandy.  One of his attendants handed him a bottle containing ammonia instead of the brandy bottle.  McCabe raised the stuff to his mouth and took a swallow.  He sent up a yell, dropped to the floor and rolled around in intense agony.  On the call of time for the seventh round, McCabe was upon his feet and continued the fight, although his face bore an agonizing look that told of the pain that the fellow was enduring.  

McCabe is twenty-two years old, five feet, six inches high and weighs 128 pounds.  Flannigan is the same age, five feet six inches high and weighs 130 pounds.  The fighting was of the hurricane order, and was bloody from start to finish.  Flannigan showered blow after blow on the face and neck of his opponent, while in return he received terrible punishment about the chest and face.

McCabe was awarded first blood and the first knock down in the second round.  The battle became so wicked toward the finish that many of the spectators turned their heads away to avoid the sickening sight.  At the end of the battle McCabe's left eye was completely closed, and his right cheek bone was laid bare from a two-inch cut.  Flannigan's face was also a sorry sight, his face being badly swollen and bleeding.  The fight, which was one of the gamest on record, lasted forty minutes."

Source:  THE BLOODY BRUISERS -- Tommy Flannigan, of Cincinnati, and Pete McCabe, of Albany, Fight Desperately -- Pat Killen and Dominick McCaffrey Sign For a Mill of Fifteen Rounds, The Courier-Journal [Louisville, KY], Nov. 2, 1888, Vol. LXXIII, No. 7247, p. 2, col. 4.  

"BITS BY TELEGRAPH. . . .

New York, Nov. 1.  --  Tommy Flannigan of Cincinnati and Pete McCabe of Albany fought a desperate battle lasting ten rounds, for a purse of $300, in the dining-room of a hotel on City Island.  The battle was witnessed by thirty club men, who paid $10 a head for the privilege.  Flannigan was declared the victor at the close of the tenth round, after almost demolishing McCabe, who proved himself as game a man as ever toed the scratch.  The fight lasted fifty minutes and during one of the rests McCabe drank some ammonia in mistake for whiskey, experiencing terrible agony for awhile."

Source:  BITS BY TELEGRAPH, The Morning News [Wilmington, DE], Nov. 2, 1888, Vol. XVII, No. 103, p. 1, col. 8.  

"A SLUGGER IN AGONY.
-----
During a Fight He Swallows Ammonia for Brandy.

A New York special says:  Tommy Flannagan of Cincinnati and Pete McCabe of Albany fought a desperate battle, lasting ten rounds, for a purse of $300, in the dining room of a hotel on City island.  The battle was witnessed by thirty clubmen, who paid $10 a head for the privilege.  Flannagan was declared the victor at the close of the tenth round, after almost demolishing McCabe, who proved himself as game a man as ever toed the scratch.  An accident occurred in the sixth round which might have terminated in the death of one of the principals.  McCabe, while being rubbed down, asked his seconds for a drink of brandy.  One of his attendants handed him a bottle containing ammonia instead of the brandy bottle.  McCabe raised the stuff to his mouth and took a swallow.  He sent up a yell, dropped to the floor and rolled around in intense agony.  On the call of time for the seventh round, McCabe was upon his feet and continued the fight, although his face bore an agonizing look that told of the pain the fellow was enduring.  McCabe is 22 years old, five feet six inches high, and weighs 123 pounds.  Flanagan is the same age, same height and weighs 130 pounds.  The fight was of the hurricane order and blood from the start to the finish.  Flannigan showered blow after blow on the face and neck of his opponent, while in return he received terrible punishment about the chest and face.  McCabe was awarded first blood and first knock-down in the second round.  The battle became so wicked toward the finish that many of the spectators turned their heads away to avoid the sickening sight.  At the end of the battle, McCabe's left eye was completely closed, and his right cheek bone was laid bare from a two-inch cut.  Flannagan's face was also a sorry sight, his face being badly swollen and bleeding."

Source:  A SLUGGER IN AGONY -- During a Fight He Swallows Ammonia for Brandy, The Galveston Daily News [Galveston, TX], Nov. 9, 1888, Vol. XLVII, No. 196, p. 4, col. 2.

See also:

BRUTAL PRIZE FIGHT -- TOMMY FLANNAGAN DEFEATS PETE McCABE AFTER TEN TERRIBLE ROUNDS, The Daily Graphic [NY, NY], Nov. 1, 1888, Vol. XLVIII, No. 4858, p. 6, col. 2.

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