In March 1870, a tournament was held, and is believed to have been wholly legitimate. McLaughlin emerged as the winner, and was awarded a belt with a gold buckle, which he would later put at stake in matches. In the tournament final, McLaughlin was safely ahead in a match against Barney Smith, but the referee declined to end the match. McLaughlin ended the match by either slamming Smith on his head or off the stage (accounts differ), delivering an impact which led to Smith's mental incapacitation and eventual death from cranial trauma. The remorseful McLaughlin gave his tournament winnings to Smith's widow, saying "I forgot I was so wicked strong."
yeah that didn't happen
