BARNEY SMITH
? - May 10, 1870
 

Barney Smith was an engineer on the Great Western Railway of Canada.

 

James H. McLaughlin defeats Barney Smith in Detroit, MI for the "diamond championship belt". During the fight, McLaughlin became enraged after throwing Smith sevral times without the judges awarding him the victory. After physically battering Smith until he could no longer defend himself, McLaughlin dumped him off the stage, where Smith landed on his head and suffered a cranial fracture.

 

In the early morning hours the following day, Barney Smith was found wandering the streets in the rain and gibbering nonsensically to himself. He was deemed insane and dies a short time later. In a rare show of compassion, McLaughlin expressed deep regret and donated his winnings to Smith's widow and appoligizes saying, "I forgot I was so wicked strong".

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