Mounted Swordsmen’s Contest.

Evening Star, Issue 7449, 18 February 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

Mounted Swordsmen’s Contest.

About 400 persons assembled to witness the sword contest between Sergeant J. R. Donohan and Sergeaut J. C. Meats, of Melbourne, for LSO a side, which came off at Bondi Aquarium, Sydney, on the 4th inst. The combatants were greatly displeased with the whole arrangements, and objected strongly to the gauntlets and masks provided. Eight attacks were made. In the early attacks Meats received a very nasty wound on the hand, and in the fourth attack he received a point from Donohan in his left thigh, whicli caused a severe wound. Meats dismounted, suffering great pain, but remounted after a few moments’ rest. At the close of the next attack the police stepped into the ring, but Meats persuaded them to retire, saying he was not much hurt. During one of the attacks Douohan’s charger refused to advance, and Meats rode down upon him, and after engaging, made a thrust which just missed Donohan’s head. Donohan then countered with a sharp thrust in the face, his sword penetrating Meats’ mask and giving him another nasty wound on the side of his mouth. After the eighth attack blood was seen dropping from Meats’ clothes most profusely, and Sergeant Grotty called the attention of the police to the state of affairs, and the fight was stopped. Thescores stood—Meats 5 points, Donohan Dr M'Donagh, military surgeon, had Meats taken to the office, and an examination showed the wound on the thigh to be of a dangerous character. The sword appeared to have passed clean through the fleshy part of the right leg, making two punctured wounds. The thrust was a foul one, and accidentally given. Dr M'Donagh had to put in several stitches in Meats’ leg, and then had him conveyed to his home, lie being very faint from loss of blood. Great excitement prevailed amongst the crowd when Meats received his wounds, and general dissatisfaction was expressed at the use of weapons which were so dangerously sharp at the poiut.