Sep 23, 1900 Chicago Dogfighters - The Farmer Brothers Make the Front Page With Fight

This story appeared in the Sunday Chicago Tribune, front page, right under the masthead. This story mentions that "Alderman McCormick" attended this dogfight who was apparently a city official from the most prominent family in the city at the time.  People knew that pit bulls were fighting dogs back in 1900.

CASH SHOT FROM REFEREE

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CHAMPIONSHIP DOG FIGHT AT BLUE ISLAND ENDS IN A ROW.

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Joseph Farmer Objects to William Delihant’s Decision Against White Brandy and Sends a Bullet Into Latter’s Hand, Scattering Money, Which Farmer Then Seizes—Young Duke, Owned by Pat Conroy, Declared to Have Best of Contest

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Because he was not satisfied with the referee’s decision of a dogfight at Blue Island yesterday afternoon, Joseph Farmer, whose dog was held to be the loser, shot the stake money out of Referee William I. Delihant’s hand, took it, and drove away with his brother, William. A lot of disgusted men then returned to Chicago, having lost the money they had wagered on the contest.

Chicago Dogfighter and Industrialist
William T. Delihant  (1859-1929)

The fight, which took place in Bruno’s place, west of the village, had lasted seventeen minutes and was exceedingly savage. It was between White Brandy, owned by the Farmer brothers, the dog fanciers, and Young Duke, owned by Pat Conroy, Fortieth street and Wentworth avenue, and a half dozen sporting men. Young Duke has been consiered the champion of the world, and those present say this dog seemed to have the best of the fight.

After the trouble began, Al Fisk, 3643 South Maplewood avenue, who at one time fought Peter Jackson under the name of Jack King, tried to protect Delihant, and Joseph Farmer, with two revolvers in his hands, fired at Fisk.

One bullet entered Fisk’s left leg and was extracted later by Dr. Seim of Blue Island. The other bullet passed through Fisk’s clothes and grazed the thigh. Neither Delihant’s nor Fisks injuries are considered serious.

The entire affair was characterized as a “holdup” by the men who witnessed it.

Arrive in Blue Island Early

Shortly after noon delegations of Chicago sports arrived in Blue Island and were taken to Bruno’s place. The fight was for the championship of the world. The twelve-foot-pit had been pitched on the second floor and the hall was filled with men. Spectators were evenly divided as to the merits of the dogs, and $750 had been wagered on the outcome.

The dogfighter William T. Delihant served as referee for
this fight and was shot in the hand

The owners of the dogs had placed $200 a side on the result, and this money, in addition to part of the side bets, had been placed in the keeping of Delihant, who resides at 3006 South Forty-first avenue.

Among those who were in the hall were Al Fisk, Tom Kerwin, Alderman McCormick, Tom Gleason, Thomas Dunne, Dave Roach, James Worley, and N.S. Sire. Time was called at 3:05.

William T. Delihant was the president of a coal company
and a Chicago City Alderman attended the event.

It was a revolting sight which followed. In the pit the two dogs bit and tore each other. The growls and bites seemed to elate the spectators, who urged them on.

“Go it, Duke,” “Tear him, Brandy,” “Kill him,” were cries heard in the hall. Finally even the brute natures of the antagonists began to fall.

Delihant, who refereed the fight, gave it to young Duke. Then the trouble began. Joseph Farmer sprang toward him and covere him with a revolver.

“I want that money,” he exclaimed. “That kind of decision don’t go with me.”

Delihant hesitated and reached for his own revolver. Before he had a chance to draw it, Farmer pulled the trigger. The bullet passed through Delihant’s hand. The money fell to the floor, and Joseph Farmer and his brother gathered up in the scramble which followed.

Panic in the Hall

The men who were in the room were panic-stricken. some of them jumped from the windows, while others rushed to the door.

In the meantime, Fisk had reached Delihant’s side and struck William Farmer in the face. Joseph Farmer wrested Delihant’s revolver from his hand, and with a gun in each hand, began to shoot Fisk. Fisk ran out of the rear door and as he reached the yard was struck by one of the balls.

The Farmer brothers jumped into a buggy and drove away. The two injured men were taken to Blue Island avenue, where Dr. Glim dressed their wounds. Then the entire contingent returned home.

The Chicago police have been asked to look for Joseph Farmer

Chicago Sunday Tribune, September 23, 1900, p.1

The article refers to "William I. Delihant" instead of "William T. Delihant."  The doctors' names at the beginning and at the end of the article are different.  It is not clear whether the reporter is referring to two different doctors or if one of the names is a typo.

Read more:
Sep 08, 1895 The Farmer Brothers' Dogfight- Phil Whips Dandy
Dec 24, 1888 Chicago Dogfighters Lose Fingers and Nose in Fight With Each Other
Sep 24, 1888 Chicago The Farmer Brothers Dogfighting Saloon Keepers

Sep 08, 1895 The Farmer Brothers' Dogfight- Phil Whips Dandy

Dogs Fight Desperately in the Town of Worth

Worth - Three hundred sports witnessed a dog fight which lasted for one hour and ten minutes yesterday afternoon in Peterson's Grove, in the town of Worth.

The contenders were Farmer Bros.' bulldog Dandy, a pure white bull, and Harry Manning's white and brindle, Phil.

The dogs were thrown into the pit at 4 o'clock and, save for two slip holds, clung on tenaciously for the time stated.  Neck and body holds obtained throughout.  Dandy was frightfully cut about the throat and stomach and may have to be destroyed.

This is the first time that the Farmer boys have lost a dog fight since the memorable days of Slophouse eight years ago.

Some of the sports went on bicycles and others in carriages and the evening train carried about sixty to the pit.  Each dog is 4 years old and weighed in at 47 pounds.

The purse was $225.  Joe Farmer looked after the interests of his dog and Matt Whirley was behind Mannings's.  John McLaughlin acted as timekeeper and Clark Penney was referee.  James ("Dad") McCormick officiated as stakeholder.

When Farmer Bros. dog refused to scratch after a siege of one hour and ten minutes, Referee Penney awarded the fight to Phil.

The betting, even money, was very spirited, and a big "bunch of the ready" changed hands.  Among the Chicago sports around the pit were the following: James M. Daly, Frank O'Rourke, "Paddy" Ryan, William Christie, Thomas Boland, George Piper, the Farmer brothers, "Dad" McCormick, "Paddy" O'Shea, John Conway, Pat Lane, Herman Schultz, "Billy" Miller, J. Riley, "Pat" Griffin, "Pat" Curtin, and others.

The Sunday Inter Ocean, p. 11, September 08, 1895

Dec 24, 1888 Chicago Dogfighters Lose Fingers and Nose in Fight With Each Other

SUNDAY SALOON SCENES

There was no dog fight Saturday night back of Billy Gaines' saloon on the Jefferson tollroad, but the genial sportsmen who were invited to attend one there were somewhat compensated for their disappointment by being permitted to watch three men chew one another in the saloon at the corner of Meridian and Des Plaines streets yesterday afternoon.

The Jefferson police learned that the dogfight was to take place, and were at Gaines' place before the Farmer brothers arrived with their bulldog.  Johnnie "Slophouse" was on hand with his dog, but went back to the city with it when so advised by the officers.

Joseph and William Farmer own the saloon at No. 180 West Lake street and also a pretty good dog.  The dog gets into a great many fights, and so do its masters.  The last time Joseph Farmer was arrested, he was held to the Criminal Court for shooting Patrick Conroy, the bartender in Charles McCarle's saloon, at the corner of Waldo place and South Halsted street.

When the Farmer boys drove over the Jefferson road to Billy Gaines', they were accompanied by perhaps a score of constituents from Meridian and Halsted streets.  Upon finding the officers at the saloon they all turned and came back to the city resolved to make a night of it.  They made the round of a number of saloons and finally drew up at noon at the saloon where the fight occurred.

An hour later, "Jimmy" O'Leary came in and, speaking of dog fights, declared it was a lucky thing for Farmer's dog that the police interfered.  Joseph Farmer took this as an insult and hit O'Leary in the face.  O'Leary returned the blow and was attacked by both the Farmers.  The three were soon sprawling on the saloon floor, scratching and biting each other.

Before the police arrived to put a stop to the fight, Joseph Farmer got two of O'Leary's fingers in his mouth and mangled them to such a degree that both will have to be amputated; and O'Leary in return with his teeth took off the end of Joseph Farmer's nose.

The three fighters were locked in the Desplaines Street Station.  William Farmer is charged with disorderly conduct; Joseph Farmer, with disorderly conduct and mayhem, and James O'Leary with the same two offenses.

Daily Inter Ocan, Chicago, IL, December 24, 1888, vol: xvii, issue: 274, p. 8

Sep 24, 1888 Chicago The Farmer Brothers Dogfighting Saloon Keepers

Sunday Saloon Scourge

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Disgraceful Riot at the Farmer Brothers' West Lake Street Saloon

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The proprietors Quarrel Over a Dog Fight-Revolvers, Knives, Clubs, and Fists Used

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REVOKE THEIR LICENSE

The saloon owned by the Farmer brothers, William and Joseph, at No. 180 West Lake street was the scene of a disgraceful riot last night which would have undoubtedly ended in bloodshed had not the police interfered and dispersed the mob of rowdies assembled there.  Revolvers, knives, clubs, and fists were used with vigor and effect.  The neighborhood was aroused by a noisy quarrel at a few minutes after 7 o'clock, and word reached the Desplaines Street Station that a row of gigantic proportions was in progress in the saloon and Officers Tyrrell and Curtis went to the place immediately.

Several thousand people had gathered around the place, the doors were closed and bolted, and several pistol shots had been fired, accompanied by yells, curses, and volleys of foul language.  The officers forced one of the doors partly open and were confronted by a man with a revolver in his hand, who said "Keep out of here! I'll shoot the first man who puts his head inside that door!"

The doors were finally forced, however, and as the police entered, the crowd scattered, going in every direction.  Four of the principals were arrested and locked up at the Desplaines Street Station.  They were Joseph Pokrony, Michael Hennessy, C.P. Rice, and Frank Nelden.  The fight originated between Joseph and William Farmer, the proprietors of the saloon, over a dog fight which took place at Hessville, Ind., on the 18th inst., in which Joseph Farmer was interested as owner of one of the dogs.

There had been some difference of opinion between those who had laid wagers on the event on the event as to the decision of the referee, and Joseph Farmer was to receive $1,600 today from the hands of John Dullard, the stakeholder, and it appears he became anxious about the money.  He went to Dullard's place at Twelfth and Canal streets yesterday and demanded the money, but was refused.

The fight in the saloon arose over a dispute between the two brothers.  Joseph insisted on returning to Dullard's place and forcing him to give up the money, and his brother opposed him, and endeavored to forcibly detain him.

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Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL), Sep 24, 1888, p.2