Street fight death

A street fighter vows to fight until he is killed

`At West Ham, London ( England), Daniel Cronin, 21, a labourer, living at 14, Arthur street, Canning Town, was charged with feloniously killing and slaying one Alfred Searle on July 16, in Woodstock-street, Canning Town.
Josiah Living, a labourer, of 1 Peto street, Canning Town, said that at about a quarter-past twelve in the morning he way at the top of Barking road, when he saw a crowd of peop!e going down the road, and upon coming up to them at the top of Woodstock street, he saw an old friend of his, Alfred Searle, and the prisoner quarrelling.
Deceased said lie should like to go and fight the prisoner, and he would go and light him, upon which the prisoner said, ” Come on, then, we’ll go down Woodstock street and have it out,” and they went. Witness followed and advised the deceased not to fight, as the prisoner was too good for him, but deceased said “I will go, and fight till I die.” The men then pulled off their coats, and after shaking hands commenced to fight. The deceased was knocked down several times and once he fell down with his head on the kerb. Witness picked him up and advised him to leave off, but he would not, and after having the mud brushed off his head, again commenced to fight. In the last round he was struck on the side, below the heart, when he fell down, and, without speaking, expired (died.)
Witness and a friend put their coats under the man’s head and sent for a doctor, but before the latter arrived the police came. Constable Macdonald took charge of the deceased, and the other man went for a doctor (Dr. Downing), who upon his arrival pronounced the man dead.
In answer to prisoner witness said he saw no foul play between the men, it was a fair fight. He did not act as second to the deceased, but the latter asked him, walking down the street, to look after him.
After other  evidence had been given, Sergeant Atwell stated that an inquest would be held, and he should therefore have to ask for a remand. Prisoner was then remanded, and on the application of Mr. Lewis, solicitor, he was allowed ball, hir;aelf in £50 and two sureties of £25 each.’
First published in a British newspaper on Friday October 13th. 1882, during the Victorian age.