The 'Bijou Theater' Boxing Match Ends in a Brawl
A staged boxing match between Professor Dutchy and Phil Dawe ends in a disappointing fizzle and a near-riot when the audience suspects a fix.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The much-talked-of fight between Prof. Dutchy and Phil Dawe took place at the Bijou Theater last evening in the presence of a large crowd of people, most of whom were disappointed. Some disagreement occurred, and the men did not put in an appearance until a quarter to 12 o'clock. John Hankson and Thomas Palmer seconded Dawe, and Alexander Stewart and Billy Hall were seconds for Dutchy. Harry Morgan was chosen referee, and Tommy Clancy and Billy Stevenson timekeepers. Dawe entered the ring first, closely followed by Dutchy. After three rounds of clinching and falling, Dutchy failed to come to time, and the fight was announced in favor of Dawe. Tom Palmer, Dawe's second, whom Dutchy had previously whipped in Victoria, made himself very officious, and as soon as Dutchy got to his feet, he made for him, and it was thought for a time that a free fight would ensue, but the police stepped in and stopped it. Dutchy claimed that his arm was broken, but Dr. Smith examined it and says it is not; the limb is sprained. Dutchy's friends are very much disappointed, and Dawe's friends are elated. Little money changed hands as it was feared the whole thing was a hippodrome; it certainly was not much of a fight.
“Little money changed hands on the affair, as it was feared the whole thing was a hippodrome.”
In the 1880s, boxing was often viewed with suspicion in Seattle, frequently relegated to theaters like the Bijou. The public cynicism over a 'fixed' fight echoes modern skepticism toward sports entertainment, reminding us that local spectacle has always been a blend of genuine violence and promotional theater.
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