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 #

7 FIFTH REVISED and UPDATED "7EDITION

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In 2021 with funding from
Kahle/Austin Foundation

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AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BOXING

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BOXING
Fifth Revised and Updated Edition
by Nat Fleischer and Sam Andre
A CITADEL PRESS BOOK
Published by Carol Publishing Group
 CO; ES
New Revised and Updated edition 1997 4s OF QurE®

Copyright © 1959 by Sam E. Andre and Nat Fleischer

First revised edition copyright © 1975 by Sam E. Andre and Nat Loubet
Copyright © 1987 by the estate of Sam E. Andre and Nat Loubet
1987 edition revised and updated by Gilbert Odd
1993 edition revised and updated by Peter Arnold
1997 edition revised and updated by Nigel Collins

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form,
except by a newspaper or magazine reviewer who wishes to quote brief
passages in connection with a review.

A Citadel Press Book

Published by Carol Publishing Group
Citadel Press is a registered trademark of Carol Communications, Inc.

Editorial, sales and distribution, and rights and permissions inquiries should be addressed to Carol
Publishing Group, 120 Enterprise Avenue, Secaucus, N.J. 07094.

In Canada: Canadian Manda Group, One Atlantic Avenue, Suite 105, Toronto, Ontario M6K 3E7

Carol Publishing Group books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion,
fundraising, or educational purposes. Special editions can be created to specifications. For details, contact
Special Sales Department, Carol Publishing Group, 120 Enterprise Avenue, Secaucus, N.J. 07094.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10987654321

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fleischer, Nat, 1887-1972.

An illustrated history of boxing / by Nat Fleischer and Sam Andre. —
1997 ed. / revised and updated by Nigel Collins.
p. cm.
“A Citadel Press Book.”
Includes index.
ISBN 0-8065-1900-2 (pb)
1. Boxing—History. 2. Boxing—History—Pictorial works.
I. Andre, Sam, 1907- . II. Collins, Nigel. III. Title.
GV1121.F63 1997
796.83'09—dc21 97-33542
CIP
Photographs, etchings, drawings and other illustrations used in this book are from
private collections of the author, from The Ring magazine, and the United Press
International, with additional photographs from AllSport (UK) Ltd (Simon Bruty,
Chris Cole, Mike Powell), Allsport Inc., AP/Wide World, Christopher M. Farina (Las
Vegas, Nevada, USA), Focus on Sports (New York, USA), Frank Spooner/Gamma, John
Topham Picture Library, Popperfoto, Rex Features, Sport and General, Sporting
Pictures (UK), Syndication International, Yoo Chang Kem (Seoul, Korea).
oN
\
+ »
{

\
Se Mes 3 2000 00007 4633
CONTENTS
Introduction 7 The Cruiserweights 185
THE HEAVYWEIGHTS 8 THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS 188
Pugilism’s First Heroes 8 The Super-Middleweights 212
Period of Double-Crosses 13 THE MIDDLEWEIGHTS pio
First Jewish Champion 18 The Light-Middleweights 256
The Transition Period 23 THE WELTERWEIGHTS 261
The Negro Invasion 26 The Light-Welterweights 286
America Takes Up the Sport 39 THE LIGHTWEIGHTS wot
Battles of Champions 43 The Junior Lightweights 331
England Loses Prestige 48 THE FEATHERWEIGHTS 336
The End of an Era 52 The Light-Featherweights 363
John L.’s Entrance and Exit 57 THE BANTAMWEIGHTS 367
Science Replaces Force 71 The Light-Bantamweights 388
Lanky Bob Fitzsimmons 78 THE FLYWEIGHTS 392
Jeffries, the Iron Man §2 The Light-Flyweights 407
Johnson, Ring Marvel 90 The Mini Flyweight or
Dempsey and the Fabulous Twenties 95 Strawweight Champions 410
The Crown Goes Overseas 115 UPDATE FOR THE 1997 EDITION 412
Era of the Brown Bomber 127; Index 439
Era of Big TV Money 157
Ali, Master Showman 160
Self-Destructing ‘Iron Mike’ Tyson 183
 Mi

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INTRODUCTION TO FIRST EDITION
Over the years, hundreds of books have been published about boxers, boxing
champions, and boxing in general. The missing link among them, however, has
been a complete pictorial history of the sport. It has long been our aim to
complete the chain, and we believe we have accomplished it in the present
volume.
A Pictorial History of Boxing is the product of more than five years of
research and planning. It was made possible by pooling our vast personal
collections of photographs and illustrations. We were especially fortunate, too,
in having at our disposal the rich files of The Ring Magazine, without which
no history of boxing can be written.
We believe that this book justifies.the monumental task involved in preparing
it for publication. We regard it lovingly as a valuable contribution to boxing
history, with its pictures of all the great champions and thrilling scenes of their
famous battles assembled in one volume. Many of the portraits and fight scenes
are very rare and, in most instances, are being published for the first time.
We have begun the book with “the father of modern pugilism,” James Figg
of England, who in 1719 introduced the sport, defeated all opponents, and was
recognized as first champion. Although the history of boxing stretches back
into the mists of antiquity, it is with Figg that the art and science of modern
boxing begins.
Emphasis has been laid on picturing as many of the champions and the top
contenders as possible in every division.
Producing this volume has been a pleasure for us, and our greatest hope is
that it will give sports fans throughout the world many hours of enjoyment.

Nat FLEISCHER
Sam E. ANDRE
 THE HEAVYWEIGHTS
PUGILISM’S FIRST HEROES
It was not until the early part of the became the first on the long roll of other amphitheatres. In these, wooden
eighteenth century that boxing be- British prize ring champions, and be- rails instead of ropes formed the ring
came popular as a sport in the British cause he was the first to advertise enclosure, which was elevated upon a
Isles. Though the start of fist fighting openly the teaching of boxing and ex- stage, the referee officiating outside
in England coincided with the arrival hibitions of skill, he has become the ring.
of the Romans, boxing as we know it known as the Father of Boxing. He Figg died in 1740 and George Tay-
really got under way with the ac- was more expert as a cudgeller than lor, one of his pupils, succeeded to
knowledgement of James Figg as first as a pugilist. A master with the sword the championship.
British heavyweight king in 1719. and an expert fencer, he attracted the Taylor was followed by the father
Through the pages of ring history, the patronage of the English “bloods,” the of boxing rules, Jack Broughton, who
story of the heavyweights is the story sports element of the country. in 1734 formulated the first code and
of boxing itself. It was Figg who popularized spar- invented the boxing glove, which at
When James Figg announced the ring exhibitions, and his initiative was the time was used only in sparring
opening of his Amphitheatre, his name responsible for the opening of many exhibitions.

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Figg’s card (left) was designed by his

great friend Hogarth, and was distributed
among the patrons at his Amphitheatre
and booths at Southwark Fair and else-
where. This was the first advertisement
7a; Adair § Et Cotcrl beachesGontte used to promote the new sport of boxing.
Figg resigned his title in 1734 and died
rareYee ioy7 small bactsuword & in 1740, leaving a wife and several chil-
dren. George Taylor (above) opened a
booth when Figg retired, and claimed the
title. He defended it against all comers
until 1740, when he was soundly beaten
by Jack Broughton before a large crowd
in Taylor’s own booth.
9
 me Nan yt

Southwark Fair, London, where Figg’s booth was patronized by both aristocrats and the more lowly followers of pugilism. The
spectators were entertained here with fencing, cudgelling, backsword, and well-organized and lively boxing exhibitions.

Broughton studied defense and at- from August 18, 1743, until 1838, when —a heavyweight who had gained the
tack and depended on the use of this a new code, “The London Prize Ring top rung of the pugilistic ladder.
style. Previously boxing was a toe-to- Rules,” was adopted. Eliminating the bare-knuckle and
toe match, but Broughton introduced From Figg to Muhammad Ali is a skin-tight gloves era, which covered a
into the sport stopping and blocking, long stretch—over 250 years—and in century and three-quarters of boxing,
hitting and retreating. He was six feet that period many famous heayweights and coming down to the period gov-
tall, weighed 196 pounds and was came to the fore. There were big men, erned by the Marquis of Queensberry
quite intelligent. small men, fat and lean ones; men of Rules that called for glove contests,
The Duke of Cumberland took a the rough-and-tumble school and men we find twenty-five heavyweights as
deep interest in him, and obtained for of science; fighters who were sluggers kings of the division and one claimant,
Broughton a position with the Yeomen and those who were cool-headed box- Marvin Hart. Many thrilling battles
of the Guard which he held until his ers; men of culture, some of only an were fought in the reign of these
death at the age of eighty-five. ordinary education, and others with Kings of, Pugilism, and thé majority
Broughton’s Rules governed boxing none at all. But each was a champion are vividly portrayed in this volume.
10
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Badly battered and with both eyes closed, Jack Broughton (right) protested bitterly when beaten by Jack Slack in 1750. Appealing
to his patron, the Duke of Cumberland, who had wagered heavily on him, Broughton cried: ‘I’m blind, but I’m not beat!’

As champion, Broughton (left) won impressively in a gruelling 45-minute battle with George Stevenson, known as ‘the Coachman.”
This mezzotint by John Young (after John Henry Mortimer) was one of the first art representations of a boxing match.
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Introducing many innovations to the prize ring, Broughton became known as the ‘Father of British Boxing.” in 1743 he devised ris
“mufflers” (gloves) to minimize the risks of facial damage to students at his private school, many of whom were of aristocratic families.

“Broughton’s Rules” (left), the first ever written for boxing,

were adopted on August 16, 1743. The rules barred gouging
and hitting a fallen opponent, but wide latitude was left for
wrestling and rough-and-tumble fighting. Despite his long,
rugged career, Broughton lived to be 85 and was buried
with Britain’s great in Westminster Abbey. John Smith (be-
low), an ugly, misshapen character called ‘’Buckhorse,”’
often appeared in Broughton’s exhibitions.

TO BE OBSERVED IN ALL BATTLES ON THE STAGE

I. THat a fquare of a Yard be chalked in the IV. That no Champion be deemed beaten, unlefs
middle of the Stage; and on every freth fet-to he fails coming up to the line in the limited time,
after a fall, or being parted from the rails, each or that his own Second declares him beaten, No
Second is to bring his Man to the fide of the Second is to be allowed to afk his man’s Adversary
fquare, and place him oppofite to the other, and any queftions, or advife him ro give out.
till they are fairly fet-to at the Lines, it fhall not
be lawful for one to ftrike at the other V. That in bye-battles, the winning man to have
II. That, in order to prevent any Difputes, the time two-thirds of the Moncey given, which thall be
a Man lics after a fall, if the Second does not bring publicly divided upon the Stage, notwithftanding
his Man to the fide of the (quare, within the fpace any private agreements to the contrary.
of half a minute, he thall be deemed a beaten Man.
VI. That to prevent Difputes, in every main Battle
ILL. That in every main Battle, no perfon whatever the Principals thall,on coming on the Stage, choofe
thall be upon the Stage, except the Principals and trom among the gentlemen prefent two Umpires,
their Seconds; the fame rule to be obferved in bye- who fhall abfolutely decide all’ Difputes that may
battles, except thar in the latter, Mr. Brqughton arife about the Bartle; and if the two Umpires
is allowed co be upon the Stage to keep decorum, cannot agree, the (aid Umpires to choofe a third,
and to affift Gentlemen in getting to their places, 0is to determine it.
provided always he does not interfere in the Battle
* and whoever pretends to infringe thefe Rules to VIL. That no perfon is to hit his Adverfary when
be turned immediately out of the houfe. Every he is down, or feize him by the ham, the breevhes,
body is to quit the Stage as foon as the Champions or any part below the waift: a man on his knees
are ftripped, before the fet-to. q to be reckoned down.

As agreed by feveral Gentlemen at Broughton's Amphitheatre,

Tottenbam Court Road, Augufl 16, 1743.
 PERIOD OF DOUBLE-CROSSES
When Broughton passed out of the Norwich Butcher, the first “Knight of The Duke of Cumberland became
picture, boxing suffered because it the Cleaver” to win an English title. Slack’s backer in the fight for the
had lost the man who was recognized Slack not only “tossed” fights but as- crown with Bill Stevens, “The Nailer’;
as the “Father of the English School sisted in the arrangement of other the Duke of York was the challenger’s
of Boxing.” His rules formed the “cross affairs of the knuckles.” patron. That contest took place on
groundwork of fair-play and his in- Slack’s early triumphs were gained June 17, 1760, and another surprise
troduction of gloves, or “mufflers,” more through fearlessness than ability. was furnished the Corinthians when
added to the sport's popularity. His He introduced the “chopper,” which “The Nailer” won the title. The victor
honesty made him beloved by his pa- was the equivalent of the modern was a notorious character whose
trons. They expected emulation of his rabbit punch. double-crosses had brought pugilism
conduct by those who followed him. Slack’s reign extended from 1750 to to a low level.
But they were in for a shock. Shortly 1760, and during that decade British After Slack had been shorn of his
after Broughton’s retirement, crooked- boxing was almost at a standstill. The championship, he became the backer
ness crept into the sport. It made its public lost interest and faith in it be- of George Meggs and arranged a bat-
appearance during the reign of cause of charges of crookedness made tle for the crown with Stevens, whom
Broughton’s successor, Jack Slack, the against outstanding fighters. Slack had bought off. The champion,

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Bill Stevens, ‘the Nailer,’’

beat Slack in 1760. Slack’s
patron was the Duke of
Cumberland who again
lost a large amount on
the outcome. Convinced
he was sold out by Slack,
the Duke became an arch-
enemy of boxing.

George Meggs, ‘'the Col-

lier,” came from the pu-
gilistic nursery of Bristol
and won from Stevens in
1761. Meggs was trained
for the fight by the canny
Jack Slack, a Norwich butcher and the conqueror of Broughton, Jack Slack, and Stevens
was known as the “Knight of the Cleaver.” Slack, the grandson
boasted he was paid to
lose to the inferior Meggs.
of James Figg, held the title for ten years—1750 to 1760.

LS
The penie between defending ee Bill Darts (left) and Tom Py, “the Water-
man,” in 1769. After dethroning Darts, Lyons gave up the title and retired.

Monsieur Petit, the giant, was the first Frenchman to take up boxing. Standing six feet, for a financial consideration, agreed
six inches, and weighing 220 pounds, he met British title-holder Jack Slack and was to permit Meggs to win, and for ar-
defeated in less than 25 minutes. ranging the “cross,” Slack received
fifty guineas from Meggs.
From 1761 to 1783, a period of
twenty-two years, the championship
was in an unsettled state. It was
knocked about from one head to an-
other.
Meggs, who bought the title from
“The Nailer,” soon saw it wrested
from him by Baker Milsom, and the
Baker in turn soon was dethroned by
Tom Juchau. Then followed Bill
Darts, who won the crown from Ju-
chau. Darts held the title for nearly
five years before losing it to “Water-
man” Lyons in a desperate struggle.
Lyons thought so little of his ex-
ploit, or the fame thereby attained,
that at the expiration of two weeks
he retired and returned to the peace-
ful pursuit of ferrying passengers
across the Thames. Darts regained the
crown, only to lose it in the shortest
bout for a heayweight title in fistic
annals to Peter Corcoran of Ireland,
the first of his race to win a British
championship. The contest lasted less
than oné minute.
 th Ah
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After Tom Lyons retired, Bill Darts reclaimed the title, but didn’t hold it long. In a meeting with Peter Corcoran in 1771, Darts (left)
was knocked out with one punch in less than a minute. Corcoran was the first Irish-born pugilist to win a British championship.

Peter Corcoran of Ireland, who invaded England, fought his way to the championship,
and reigned for five years, lost, in a questionable match, to Henry Sellers in 1776.
Corcoran’s first important fight took
place near Hyde Park on September
4, 1769, with Bill Turner, who pre-
viously had defeated Bill Stevens, a
former champion of England. Cor-
coran gave Turner an unmerciful
beating.
While in London, Corcoran was in-
troduced to Colonel O'Kelly, a con-
spicuous character on the turf. He
was the owner of Eclipse, the famous
race horse, and became Corcoran’s
sponsor. Colonel O'Kelly arranged
a bout for Corcoran for Derby Day,
May 18, 1771, against Bill Darts,
the English title holder, and the Colo-
nel backed his countryman heavily
and collected a handsome sum when
Corcoran knocked out Darts in less
than one minute of the opening round.
The Colonel was accused of bribing
Darts to “lay down” in order to make
the wagering a “sure thing.”
As Corcoran had whipped Bob
Smiler, the brickmaker, Tom Dalton,
and Joe Davis, and had challenged
Lyons, who a few months before had
won the title from Darts, Corcoran
claimed the championship and was
duly recognized.
 Harry Sellers, who end- one sold by Corcoran and the report
ed Peter Corcoran’s reign proved a sad blow to the former
as champion, earned the champion. Though he prospered out
unusual distinction of of the proceeds of the fight, he lost
winning the title from
one Irishman and losing
the friendship of his admirers and
it to another. After rul- when he died he had to be buried by
ing the pugilistic roost subscription.
four years, Sellers was Thus ended the career of the first
beaten in a hurry when Irishman to be crowned champion of
he squared off with Dug-
gan (also called Jack)
England. Sellers, who took the crown
Fearns, an Irish boat- from Corcoran, held it for four years
swain, in 1776. Regard- and was deposed by another Irish-
ed until then as a cou- man, Duggan Fearns by name. Fearns’
rageous battler, Sellers victory, like that of Corcoran over
displayed a strange lack
Darts, was gained in quick time. The
of pugnacity against
Fearns. The bout lasted fight lasted only a minute and a half,
only a minute and a half. Sellers falling after the first punch
Sellers dropped with the and declining to continue. Fearns was
first punch and declined an Irish boatswain.
to continue the fight. Following Sellers’ dethronement, the
championship of England fell into the
hands of Tom Johnson, who put in his
claim for the title and supported it
with dignity and courage. Through
him boxing regained public confi-
dence. Johnson, christened Thomas
Jackling, ruled from 1783 to 1791.
From the time he assumed the
Benjamin Brain scored a crown until 1789, Johnson waded
surprising victory over through his opponents as if they were
Tom Johnson in 1791 in so many novices. A search was made
what was regarded as at Bristol, the hotbed of pugilism, and
the end of boxing’s ‘’pio-
neer period.’ Sponsoring there an opponent was found in Bill
fighters was a popular Warr, but he was polished off as easily
pastime with British no- as were others. Then came a battle
bility and Brain was a with Isaac Perrins at Banbury, Ox-
protégé of the Duke of
Hamilton. Although only
fordshire, on November 22, 1789, and
five feet, 10 inches in this likewise resulted in victory for
height, Brain was pow- Johnson.
erfully built, weighing In 1791, however, the Duke of
200 pounds. After he Hamilton came forth with a challenge
won the championship,
lack of outstanding chal- for Benjamin Brain (Big Ben), and in
lengers persuaded Brain this fight Johnson was struck heavily
to retire, but four years on the nose in the second round.
later he decided to re- Bothered considerably by this damage
turn. Preparing for a
bouf with Will Wood, he
and the breaking of the metacarpal
was suddenly taken ill bone of the middle‘ finger of his right
and died at 41. hand by striking it on a spike, he lost
the crown. Thus was the renowned
Tom Johnson deprived of the title he
In 1774 Corcoran fought Sam Peters Sellers, the West of England fighter had so long held with honor.
at Birmingham, the battle taking place who hailed from Jack Slack’s Bristol With the victory of Big Ben and the
near Waltham Abbey. In that contest School. They clashed at the Crown defeat of Johnson ends the first period
also there was considerable dissatis- Inn, Staines, on October 10, 1776, and of heavyweight boxing. The second
faction, the spectators calling the af- on this occasion, the flag of the Irish- starts with the rise of the great Daniel
fair a fake. man was lowered, Sellers winning. Mendozayand ends with the\reign of
Then came the set-to with Harry The English reported this fight as John Belcher.

16
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PAR’ ICULAR angSCIENTIFIC ‘ACCOUNT oF eRe’molt Poros BATTLE that ore eet either in. th
of Johnfonian: Schools; fought at Wroruam, in Kent, between BIG BEN, ‘alias BENJAMIN Batas, and
“THOMAS JOHNSON, on the 17thof January, 1791.1 wae 9s toca 5 aeemeie Cat rapes ae ee
4

This portion of Lord Byron’s screen depicts the tremendous battle for the championship Between Tom Johnson and Big Ben Brain,
on January 17, 1791. Johnson (left), unable to avoid Big Ben’s blows after breaking his hand on a ring post, lost in 21 minutes.

Tom Johnson (left) demolished the giant challenger Isaac Perrins in one hour and 15 minutes, on October 22, 1789. Perrins, six
inches taller and 70 pounds heavier, was slowly weakened by body blows and finished with an attack to the head.
 FIRST JEWISH CHAMPION
A large portion of the glory of the Prior to Mendoza’s advent as a school attempted in vain to stem the
prize ring has been contributed by pugilist, brute strength and endur- victorious march onward of scientific
men whose forebears centuries ago ance, rather than scientific finesse, Daniel. By defeating Bill Warr on
fought against the Philistines, the were the qualities most esteemed in Bexley Common, November 12, 1794,
Egyptians, the Arabians, the Babylon- the ring. However, after his first bat- Mendoza became champion.
ians, and the Romans. The Jews, like tle in which, though the victor, he Many boxing critics of his day wrote
the Irishmen, took to boxing like a sustained severe punishment, Dan set enthusiastically about the swiftness
duck to water. They accepted the his active brains to work to study new and grace of the Jewish lad. They
sport as an institution in which they means of defense. For three years he praised his generalship and superb
could use the weapons God gave them devoted himself assiduously to per- science. Others, though these were in
—their fists—to settle their disputes, fecting a system of guarding, side- the minority, complained that there
and in which they could face an stepping, and effective use of the was something cowardly about a
enemy, man to man, ina test of in- straight left, before he again ventured fighter who frequently retreated and
dividual skill and courage. on the test of actual battle. relied on superior agility and speed to
Daniel Mendoza, whose keen, flash- The development of boxing as a win rather than standing up in true
ing eyes and aquiline features are por- really scientific proposition reached its British bulldog style and hammering
trayed in old English prints, was the first polished stage in the able hands away doggedly until he or his op-
first Jew to gain a championship. He of the extraordinary young Israelite. ponent dropped..
was much above the intellectual level His new tactics were crowned with Thus he revolutionized the Prize
of his contemporaries. success. The men of the old-style Ring. His advent ended the reign of

Daniel Mendoza, a Spanish-English Jew,

was boxing’s first prominent Jewish boxer
and 16th champion of England, reigning
from 1791 to 1795. Standing 5‘ 7” and
weighing 160 pounds, Mendoza devel-
oped and cultivated ring science. After
retiring he became a celebrated boxing
instructor and died at the age of 73.
Richard Humphries (below) known as “the
Gentleman Fighter,” whipped Mendoza
twice, in 1787 and 1788, before the latter
became champion. Humphries lost to Men-
doza in 1789 and again on September 29,
1790, after which he retired.
 aaa
eon

Richard Humphries (left) and Daniel Mendoza meet in the center of the stage to start their second battle at Odiham, in Hampshire,
on January 9, 1788. As in their first contest at Epping, the year before, Humphries again won, this time in 29 minutes.

William Wood, known as “the Coachman,” claimed the crown in William Hooper, ‘the Tinman,” a skillfull boxer backed by Lord
1794, following the severe illness and sudden death of the Barrymore, stopped Wood in 1795 and was recognized as cham-
champion, Big Ben Brain, with whom he had been matched. pion. Hooper was one of many star pugilists from Bristol.

QSASSSS
LS a
SSS
~
 id Rin t
at fe tes emer, a anes 3
aa yo “a et

Aooiiee of the many scenes that decried Lord Byron’s screen shows the former champion, Tom Johnson, interfering with Men-
doza (right) during the 1788 battle with Humphries. Rushing to aid Mendoza are his seconds, Jack Jacobs and Harry Isaacs.

Tom Owens is credited with the invention of the dumbbell. A native of Hampshire, he
defeated William Hooper, on November 14, 1796, in Harrow, winning in 50 rounds.
He claimed the title, but failed to get any recognition. On July 4, 1820, at the age of
52, Owens defeated Dan Mendoza, aged 56, in 12 rounds at Banstead Downs.
the crude slugger. Even the conserva-
tive critics who decried Mendoza’s
prowess were compelled to admit that
his rapid thinking “and fine strategy
had never heretofore been exhibited
in ring warfare.
Mendoza had wrought this miracle
and convinced the younger generation
that while a strong offensive some-
times makes for victory, careful atten-
tion toa proper means of defense was
no means to be despised. He had in-
troduced this new type of fighting—
the scientific style—and it soon became
the rage, particularly among the ama-
teurs.
The Celtic race is proverbially a
fighting race, yet, strange as it may
seem, it was this Jewish boy, Daniel
Mendoza, to whom the Irish owe
much for popularizing the fistic sport
in Ireland, where he established a
school in which he taught the art after
his defeat of Squire Fitzgerald, the
pride of Erin, during a tour of the
Emerald Isle. Following Fitzgerald’s
defeat, Ireland developed many great
gladiators and much of their success
may be traced directly to Mendoza 's
tour. . .
 Like Mendoza, another heavy-
weight pugilist, John Gully, who wore
the championship crown in 1807, at-
tracted considerable attention from
the literary tribe, due to the fact that
he became a Member of Parliament
and was received in London society.
Gully’s whole life reads like a ro-
mance,
The son of a merchant, he embarked
in business for himself, failed signally
and landed in the King’s Bench Prison
as a debtor, with extremely poor pros-
pects of ever being discharged. The
law against debtors, as it then existed,
could hold an unfortunate in jail for
the rest of his natural life, unless some
kind Samaritan paid the money and
set him free.
Gully had a friend in Henry Pearce,
known to the Fancy as the “Game
Chicken.” Pearce, born in Bristol, the
town in which Gully first saw the light
of day, was then champion and he
visited his luckless pal in prison. As
an amateur boxer, Gully could hold
his own with the best, and to please
some of his fellow prisoners, John
consented to spar a few rounds with
the title holder.
The mufflers were produced and,
much to everyone’s amazement, the
youthful prisoner had no trouble in
outpointing Pearce, whose fame, be
it said, rested more on his strength
than cleverness. The story of the re- John Gully, the son of a Bristol butcher, was released from debtors’ prison, after his
markable amateur’s feat became the debts were paid by sportsman Colonel Harry Mellish, on condition that he fight the
talk of London town, with the result champion, Henry Pearce. He lost to Pearce in a fierce 64-round fight, but later became
that Gully’s debts were paid by a a great champion, wealthy bookmaker, and member of the British Parliament.
prominent sportsman on the condition
Bob Gregson, ’’the Lancashire Giant,’ lost
that he fight Pearce for the title. two slashing fights to Gully, which deter-
To a young athlete pining for his right to hold the championship crown mined the successor to Hen Pearce’s crown.
freedom and with a strong liking for had been duly established by a signal
the game, this way of escape was victory.
ideal. Accordingly, Gully and Pearce So it was not until Gully had thor-
met in the ring, but the veteran was oughly whipped Bob Gregson, the
too much for Gully. Lancashire Giant, that he really was
Gully’s showing was so. good, de- accorded the plaudits of the Fancy
spite his defeat, that when ill health as a genuine king. Gregson, not satis-
forced Pearce to retire, the “Game fied that Gully was the better man,
Chicken” declared that young John challenged him again for the title,
was the only man fit to succeed him. and in a mill lasting an hour and a
This election was approved by the quarter Gregson was unable to an-
Pugilistic Club, a sort of Boxing Com- swer the call of time for the twenty-
mission of the time which regulated eighth round and Gully bowed his
ring affairs. But neither the public nor acknowledgements to a wildly cheer-
Gully was entirely satisfied until the ing crowd,

ad
The excellent engraving of John Gully (left)
and Henry Pearce was part of the lower sec-
tion of Lord Byron’s screen. The shortening
of Pearce’s given name to “Hen” prompted
his followers to dub him “the Game Chicken,’
a name he lived up to throughout his career.
Pearce, a product of the nursery of British
boxers in Bristol, was invited to London by
Jem Belcher in 1803 to qualify for the title.
Belcher, the champion, when he was only 22
had an eye knocked out in an accident dur-
ing a game of racquets. Believing his career
at an end, Belcher gathered the top men in
England for an_ elimination tournament,
which Pearce won. The bruising fight (below)
between Pearce and Gully, on October 8,
1805, ended after one hour and 17 minutes,
when Pearce (right) landed a powerful blow
on Gully’s throat. Gully’s breathing was af-
fected and the fight was stopped.

A remarkable-young man in several

respects was Gully! Although he en-
tered the prize ring through a prison
gate and won the highest honors
pugilism could accord him, it is prob-
able that had not Fate forced him
into the fistic game, he would never
had turned professional. At heart, his
ambition was to belong to the gentry.
He had little use for the professional
ring and its shady followers, who had
once picked clean his financial bones.
Immediately following his second vic-
tory over Gregson, he made a speech
to the spectators in which he thanked
them for their applause, but stated
that he was absolutely through with
fighting and would remain a private
citizen in the future.
He kept his word. Vainly did sports-
men of wealth and influence try to
coax Gully back for “just one more
mill.” It is said that even Royalty,
in the person of the Duke of York,
deigned personally to plead with the
retired champion to break his pledge.
Gully remained obdurate. He would
henceforth have nathing to do with
fighting save as an observer. On the
turf, the ex-champion accumulated
a fortune. He had great success as a
stable owner, winning the English
Derby twice. He became arich land
proprietor, and, as before mentioned,
a Member of Parliament.
Gully died in 1863 at the ripe age
of eighty, leaving a large family in
comfortable circumstances.
 THE TRANSITION PERIOD
Among top pugilists who at various June 9, 1788, and was attended by a as a master of boxing that Jackson,
intervals wore the heavyweight crown, distinguished group including the now called “Gentleman” Jackson by
“Gentleman” Jackson and Jem Bel- Prince of Wales. the Fancy, decided to return to the
cher are listed as two of the most A year elapsed before young Jack- ring. He fought Mendoza on April
popular. Each had a colorful back- son again appeared in a bout. He 15, 1795, at Hornchurch in Essex, in
ground which had an appeal for fic- then fought George Ingleston, known a swift and melodramatic combat in
tion writers. as “The Brewer,” and at Essex on May which his ring generalship electrified
Jackson at the age of nineteen, de- 12, 1789, on a floor made slippery by the spectators. Jackson was crowned
spite parental objections, decided on a heavy downpour, Jackson turned his new champion after eleven minutes of
a boxing career, and his initial contest ankle and was forced to quit. The activity.
was a victory over a renowned pugil- defeat hurt his pride and he retired With that victory began a new era
ist, Fewterell of Birmingham, a giant for six years, during which Mendoza in British boxing. Jackson was the first
in stature and scaling 230 pounds. ruled the roost as champion. to show that a hit was not effective
Jackson weighed only 195. The battle It was only after Mendoza’s rise to unless distance had been properly
took place at Smitham Bottom on fame and the praise he was receiving judged. He also was the first to give

William Futrell (above) had an unbeaten

string of victories until he was defeated
by “Gentleman” John Jackson, in one
hour and seven minutes, at Smitham Bot-
tom, Croydon, on July 9, 1788. Futrell was
publisher of the first boxing paper.

John Jackson (right), called ““Gentleman”’

because of his polished demeanor and
excellent reputation, was an all-around
star in track and field as well as boxing.
He possessed a finely-built body, standing
5’ 11” and weighing 195 pounds. Jackson
was only 18 years old when he slaugh-
tered the huge Futrell before astonished
spectators, among them the Prince of
Wales, later George IV.
 The Jackson-Futrell (sometimes spelled Fewterell) battle scene above shows how the
seconds operated during a fight. Note, too, Jackson holding the wrist of Futrell while
about to deliver a blow to his head. Two panels from the famous Lord Byron screen
(below) give a general idea of what the screen consisted of. The panels were completely
covered with scenes and clippings of the famous pugilists in the early era of boxing in
England. Byron was a boxing enthusiast and attended many of the bouts during 1811
to 1816, when he was in England. His favorite was “Gentleman” Jackson, who had
retired in 1795, and he titled him the ‘Emperor of Pugilism.”

VANS sW\ 7? Cmte ee ~ if

Jem Belcher, 20th champion of England,

came from fighting stock. He was the
grandson of Jack Slack. Belcher introduced
the Ascot tie, which he is shown wearing.
Joe Berks, of Shropshire, had a violent
temper. He was knocked out three times
by Belcher in championship contests.

Jem Belcher, the ‘‘Napoleon of the Ring” (below), after losing an eye in 1803, re-
considerable attention to footwork. tired in favor of Henry Pearce, who qualified for the crown. Belcher (above, left)
Among his numerous admirers was returned to fight Pearce on December 6, 1805, and was soundly beaten in 13 rounds.
Lord Byron, who paid him many
tributes in his literary works. His
was a warm friendship for the gentle-
man pugilist.
Jackson did more for the uplift of
boxing in his era than any of his
predecessors. He died on October 7,
1845, at the age of seventy-seven.
Jem Belcher, known as the “Napo-
leon of the Ring,” was the grandson
of Jack Slack, fourth boxer to hold the
heavyweight crown. Like Jackson, he
was a magnificent boxer, lithe and
graceful. His brother Tom also was a
pugilist. Jem was born April 25, 1781.
He was eighteen when he made his
boxing debut. His agility and speed in
hitting were his best assets.
On December 6, 1805, at Blyth near
Doncaster, Belcher, handicapped by
an injured eye, lost the title to Henry
Pearce, the “Game Chicken.” Friends
urged him to quit, but twice more he
fought, each time against Tom Cribb.
In the first bout at Mousley Hurst on
April 8, 1807, Belcher was forced to
retire at the end of forty-one rounds.
He was whipped again in the second
contest two years later at Epsom
Downs when he broke his right hand.
He was the originator of the use of
“colors” attached to a post in the ring.
 THE NEGRO INVASION
For many years after prize fighting deeds have gained for them a niche in didn’t appear again in a public ring
flourished in England, the white man the Boxing Hall of Fame. until he faced Jack Carter at Epsom
reigned supreme and it was seldom During 1777, while New York was Downs on April 25, 1809. Though he
that a principal with black skin ven- held by British troops, Richmond, by clashed with one of England’s best
tured to dare fortune in the ring. Here whipping in quick succession three heavyweights and was knocked down
and there in the old records, we read English soldiers who had set upon him in the second round, Richmond
of a Negro donning the mufflers, gen- in a tavern, attracted the attention of quickly recovered and at the end of
erally some servant of a spark of General Earl Percy, who afterwards twenty-five minutes he battered his
nobility who had taught his valet a became the Duke of Northumberland. man into submission.
little of the science which he himself The British General took Richmond In his next contest, the American
had learned from a pugilistic star. into his household, and under his beat Atkinson of Bandbury in twenty
Bill Richmond, the son of a Georgia- patronage the Negro, who was only a minutes and followed that with a vic-
born slave who drifted North as the middleweight, defeated several top tory over Ike Wood, a waterman, on
property of Reverend John Charlton, heavyweights. His first defeat was at April 11, 1809, in twenty-three rounds.
was the first to cross the Atlantic the hands of George Maddox. On August 9, 1809 Richmond again
Ocean and display in British rings the With several victories under his faced his first conqueror, George Mad-
science he had absorbed while work- belt, Richmond looked for bigger prey dox, and the latter, then fifty-four
ing on a plantation. He was born on and challenged Tom Cribb. Cribb ac- years old, was stopped in the fifty-
August 5, 1763, on Staten Island, New cepted and knocked Richmond out. second round.
York, and was the forerunner of a That defeat was taken to heart by For four years Richmond remained
great array of Negro ringmen whose Richmond. He temporarily retired and idle, then at the age of fifty-two he

This magnificent etching, ‘“‘Boxeurs,’’ was done by the great French painter, Théodore Géricault. It represents the combat between
British champion Tom Cribb (right) and the American, Tom Molineaux. Many great painters immortalized masters of the ring.
 made a successful comeback by beat-
ing Tom Davis and Tom Shelton.
In 1818 Jack Carter, then aspiring
to the championship, threw down the
gauntlet to the American invader, who
accepted the defi, and on November
12, the former slave, despite his fifty-
six years, downed his man and
emerged the victor. That fight was
Richmond’s last.
Richmond died on December 28,
1829, in London at the age of sixty-
six. He was the first native-born
American to acquire high honors in
the ring. It was his success that in-
duced another Negro warrior, also
hailing from this side of the Atlantic,
the celebrated Tom Molineaux, to in-
vade the London field.
Tom came from a family of fighters.
He was born in Virginia on March 23,
1784.
When he landed in England, he
resolved to follow in Richmond’s foot-
steps. With Richmond’s help, he
found a backer who matched him with
Burrows, the “Bristol Unknown.” The
latter was a protégé of Tom Cribb,
who won the championship in 1809
and then retired.
Much to Cribb’s chagrin, Burrows
was hopelessly outclassed and Cribb,
determined on avenging this defeat,
selected Tom Blake, a veteran of many
i Seca
cs
battles, as the Negro’s next opponent.
Blake was also defeated. Cribb’s ~

choice proved a disappointment and ey

~
it was this defeat and Molineaux’s Peete
pe

claim to the heavyweight title that =k es~>

caused Cribb to accept Molineaux’s Bill Richmond (above),
challenge. called “the Black Terror,”
This international title bout on De- weighed between 165 and
cember 18, 1810, at Copthall Com- 170 pounds and stood
5’ 6’’. Although born in
mon, was the first between a Negro
America, all of his battles
and white man in which the crown were fought in England.
was involved. Cribb was returned the Tom Molineaux (left), who
victor in thirty-three rounds and he was two inches taller than
retired temporarily. Richmond, weighed 185
Unable to coerce Cribb into a return pounds. Both enjoyed great
success in the British ring,
engagement, the American issued a but neither could whip Tom
challenge to any man in England, and Cribb, the British champion.
this was accepted by Joe Rimmer. Richmond was knocked out
Molineaux once more claimed the by Cribb in 1805 and Moli-
heavyweight championship after de- neaux, who was known as
“the Moor,’ succumbed to
feating Rimmer, and Cribb came to
him twice, in 1810 and
his country’s rescue by agreeing to 1811.
fight Molineaux again.
Tom Cribb was one of England’s most cele-
brated champions, whose performances
won national prominence for him. Cribb
was born in Hanam, Gloucestershire, on
July 8, 1781. Big and strong for his age,
he went to London when only 13 years old
and worked as a stevedore, then as a coal
heaver. He was named “the Black Dia-
mond” when he engaged in his first fight,
in 1805, against George Maddox. He de-
feated Maddox in 76 rounds. He won
from Jem Belcher in 41 rounds in 1807.
When he again defeated Belcher in 31
rounds, in 1809, he was presented with a
championship belt and a silver cup (below).

—
Damn be himatharl

The fight took place at Thistleton

Gap, Leicester, with a crowd com-
puted at 25,000 in attendance, and
lasted nineteen minutes and eleven
seconds with Cribb the victor. Moli-
neaux died on August 4, 1818, at the
age of thirty-four.
Tom Cribb, still champion, had
fought his last battle, and on May 18,
1822, he named Tom Spring as the
successor to his throne.
Cribb, born at Hanham, Gloucest-
ershire, July 8, 1781, engaged in eleven
contests, then retired. He opened a
public house, “The Union Arms,” and
was well‘patronized. He died in his
sixty-eighth year.
In the first battle between Cribb
and Molineaux, in a chilling rain
and heavy wind, Molineaux,
badly battered, had to be carried
from the ring when the end came
in the 33rd round. The bout was
hard-fought throughout, with
Molineaux suffering many hard
knockdowns. In the last round he
collapsed, raised his hand, and
said to Bill Richmond, his second,
“Me can fight no more.” He then
fell into a stupor, amid the fren-
zied cheers of Cribb’s followers.

The engraving (below) by George

Cruikshank illustrates the end of
Molineaux in the second great
battle, held on December 18,
1811. The contest was staged in
a 25-foot ring, before a crowd of
25,000. Early in the fight Cribb’s
eye was closed tight by one of
Molineaux’ blows. Cribb had a
difficult time, until his second,
John Gully, lanced it. From then
on, Cribb slowly wore down the
American Negro, and with a vi-
cious assault in the 11th round,
ended the fight.
Be. |
Na ee =
 oq ‘ 2 antes
“ ‘ eek
:
ae ial saeSgOF etsne EP

The memorable contest between Tom Spring and Jack Langan for the championship, on January 7, 1824,.was the first in boxing for
which a grandstand was erected. An enormous crowd of 30,000 came from all parts of England to witness the battle, which took
place on the Worcester race course. Just before the contest started, one of the quickly-erected stands collapsed, sprawling hundreds
of spectators among the wreckage. One person was killed and others were injured. The fight was viciously fought, both men
taking severe punishment, but neither giving way. As Spring and Langan sparred for the lead in the ninth round, another section of
the stand gave way. Both men fell back, dropped their hands and waited for the confusion to subside. The excitement among the
spectators was so intense that they surged forward, giving the ring-keepers a terrible time driving them back. At times the fighters
had but five or six feet to fight in. Despite the recurrent invasions of the ring, the fight went into the 77th round. With Langan
severely cut and bleeding and barely able to stand, Spring’s last blow crashed him to defeat.

Pie 822 5, ets. ,

Tom Hickman, “the Gasman,’ who ap-

pears in William Hazlitt’s literary classic
“The Fight,” was a terrific whirlwind hit-
ter. A challenger for Spring’s crown in
The second Spring-Langan contest, on June 8, 1824, ended a round earlier. Langan was 1821, he met Bill Neate on December 10,
brutally beaten, and Spring’s hands were so damaged that he never fought again. and was knocked out of time in 18 rounds.

30
 RING’S GREATEST RISE
With the passing of Molineaux and bout was arranged in which Spring Spring accepted Neat’s challenge
the rise of Cribb to fistic heights, box- injured his right eye and had to de- and the latter was forced to surrender
ing took an upward trend. Cribb took fault in the forty-second round. This after thirty-seven minutes of fighting
a fancy to a seventeen-year-old boxer was the only time in a long and honor- on May 17, 1823, at Hinckley Downs.
whose name was Thomas Winters but able career that Spring suffered de- Following his successful title defense,
who started boxing under the name feat. Spring engaged Jack Langan in two
of Tom Spring. So pleased was Cribb The youngster whipped in turn bouts, winning each, and then retired.
with Spring’s first performance against Jack Carter, Ben Burn, Bob Burn, The years between 1814 and 1824
“Hammer” Hollands, a fighter with Joshua Hudson, called the “John Bull saw the greatest rise in British pugil-
great hitting power, that he became Fighter,” and Tom Oliver, all top ism, with the Spring-Langan contests
Tom’s coach and teacher and imparted pugilists. It was because of those vic- the outstanding ones. The champion
to him much of the ringcraft and gen- tories that Cribb announced his retire- scaled 190 pounds to 176 for his chal-
eralship which had gained fame for ment as champion and named Spring lenger. Spring, with his fighting career
Cribb. his successor. But Bill Neate of Bris- ended, became an innkeeper and pros-
Spring had defeated Jack Stringer in tol, whose battle with Tom Hickman, pered. He died on August 20, 1851, at
twenty-nine rounds, following which, “The Gasman,” gained international the age of fifty-six. Langan became a
through Cribb’s influence, he was recognition through William Hazlitt’s hotel proprietor in Liverpool. He died
matched with Ned Painter and Cribb’s literary classic, The Fight, challenged on St. Patrick’s Day, 1846, at the age
protégé again triumphed. A return the procedure. of forty-seven.

Bill Neate, ‘the Bristol Bull,’” was lacking in skill but

could hit like a pile-driver and absorb punishment. In:
his championship fight with Tom Spring, Neate suf-
fered a broken arm and was forced to quit.

Josh Hudson, known as ‘‘the

John Bull Fighter,” was one of
the many tough contenders for
the championship crown. He
battled Tom Spring at Mousley
Hurst in 1820 and was scien-
tifically cut down within six
rounds.
j; :
‘
Champion Tom Spring (right)
was almost six feet tall. He
excelled in scientific boxing Me,
t '

but was never a hard hitter. fa

ade
sa
He did much towards elimi- a
‘ig
wy,
ate
we’, ae

nating the crude slugging

methods of the ring. Starting
.
his career in 1814, he retired
after his second battle with Ma
Sea,
Jack Langan in 1824.

31
 4
:4 =
q
z
i&
;

Tom Cannon, “the Great Gun of Windsor’

(above), gained recognition as champion
after the retirement of Tom Spring. He was
unknown until his first defeat of Josh
Hudson, when he was over 30 years old.
He met and was easily beaten by Jem
Ward at Warwick, July 19, 1825. The in-
tense heat of the sun exhausted Cannon

13;
gti ee and made him an easy target for Ward
vy hee % ak to pick up (left) and slam down on the
r ee. P

mi hf boards. The fight ended in 10 minutes with

<
2 Cannon hopelessly limp and bleeding pro-
fusely.

Spring’s successor to the heavy- non disputed the claim and their two the ring for the last time with Ned
weight crown was Tom Cannon, who bouts followed to settle the matter. Neale as his opponent and won in
was named champion after his defeat Cannon won the first encounter in the thirty minutes. He retired and spent
of Joshua Hudson in two contests. seventeenth round and the return af- his last days in poverty. He died on
With Spring and Langan retired, Hud- fair in one round less. Thus he was July 11, 1858, by his own hand,
son’s victory over Jem Ward gained acknowledged Spring’s successor. Ward was the twenty-sixth cham-
him recognition by the Corinthians as Jem Ward relieved him of the crown pion, an excellent fighter but a man
leading contender for the throne, Can- the following year. Cannon entered of ill repute. Twice he was accused of

32
 if oe

Jem Ward was 5’ 10” tall and weighed 175 pounds. He accepted Peter Crawley, called ‘‘Young Rump Steak,’’ was six feet tall and
Peter Crawley’s challenge, to clinch his title claim. weighed 180 pounds. He held the crown only two days.

Peter Crawley and Jem Ward, after close exchanges of blows, often fell upon each
other. Crawley, suffering from a hernia, tried to avoid such falls. In the 11th round, he
engaging in fake contests. Despite his knocked out the tiring Jem Ward with a solid blow to the mouth.
skill, his reign brought disgrace to *

himself and undermined his profes-

sion. In each he wagered on himself
to lose. He was the first pugilist to re-
ceive a championship belt.
He held his honors until Peter
Crawley, the “Young Rump Steak,” a
butcher boy by trade, stopped him on
January 2, 1827, in the eleventh Zl
4:
round, Peter held the crown only two VR
days, the shortest in ring history. He
announced his retirement; Ward re-
claimed the title and successfully met
a challenge by Jack Carter on May 27,
1828, stopping Carter in the seven-
teenth round.
Simon Byrne also disputed Ward’s
claim and he and Jem fought for the
right to wear the crown. Their battle
at Warwick on July 12, 1831, ended
with Byrne the loser after an hour
and seventeen minutes of fighting.
Ward was now for the second time
proclaimed the heavyweight king, the
only person to regain his throne in
that division either in the bare-knuckle
or gloves era. On June 25, 1832, Ward
announced his retirement. He died at
the age of eighty-one.
B3
 Simon Byrne, the Irish champion, who died
as a result of the beating by Burke on
May 30, 1833, was himself the cause of
a ring death. On June 2, 1830, at Selcey
Forest, Byrne gave a brutal beating to
Sandy McKay in 47 rounds. When McKay
died from injuries, Byrne was arrested,
tried for manslaughter, and acquitted.
Among the top men Byrne met in combat
was Jem Ward, who won in 33 rounds.

and because of their feud, a fight was

a Ss ee Ae arranged for New Orleans where
act a BTal a my
— % 3 — oe oe oR eet
O'Rourke, a gambler and gangster,
James Burke, “the Deaf ‘Un, fought the longest championship bout on record, 99
awaited his arrival, prepared with a
rounds in three hours and 16 minutes, against Simon Byrne. Byrne was punished so
badly that he died. Burke was exonerated and claimed the crown. mob to do Burke bodily harm.
Their rough battle went only three
The first globe trotter in ring history and was accommodated and defeated rounds when Burke was attacked by
followed Ward as wearer of the in fifty rounds of tough milling. Thus O’Rourke’s gangsters, who cut the
crown. His name was James “Deaf” Burke clinched the title. ropes and engaged Burke’s followers
Burke. Although born in England, he Now Simon Byrne of Ireland came in a free-for-all in which even fire-
had the Celtic tag pinned on him be- forth to contest Burke’s right to such arms were used. Burke escaped and
cause his parents were Irish. He was honors and in a struggle at St. Albans came to New York, where he had one
the twenty-ninth champion of Eng- that lasted ninety-eight rounds for a more bout at Hart’s Island with
land and his bouts were more numer- total of three hours and sixteen min- Paddy O'Connell. After winning that
ous than those of any who preceded utes, the longest championship fight fight he returned to England, where
him. He fought twenty times and lost on record, Burke won. Unfortunately, he lost his championship to William
only twice. He was a strong, well- however, his opponent died from a Thompson, known: as “Bendigo.”
built boxer with an abundance of ring injury and thereafter Burke was O’Rourke’s end was written in
stamina and a master in rough-and- hounded both in his own country and blood. He drifted to a lumber camp
tumble battling. in America, where he went in disgust in Canada, lost his money in gambling
After Jem Ward, who had whipped at the treatment he was receiving. and turned to smuggling. He was
Byrne for the heavyweight title of In America his arch enemy, Samuel found murdered by a fellow lumber-
England, announced his retirement, O’Rourke, who had crossed the At- jack. Thus came to an end the career
Burke laid claim to the crown. His lantic to make his fortune, slandered of one of the most notorious characters
record entitled him to the laurels but Burke and took every opportunity to in the early history of Américan fisti-
Harry Macone challenged the claim antagonize him. In this he succeeded cuffs,

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William Thompson (above), called ‘“‘Bold Bendigo,’ won the crown from Burke on a
foul, but retired with a knee injury. Six years later, September 9, 1845, he returned
to fight Ben Caunt, a 6’2” giant, weighing 196 pounds. Bendigo was 5’9” tall and
weighed 164 pounds. The fight was bitter. Caunt often tried to raise Bendigo by the
neck (right) and fall over him on the ropes, to break his back. In the 93rd round, Caunt
was disqualified for falling without being hit.

“Bendigo” retired after an accident the referee awarded the decision to

which injured his left kneecap, and Caunt on the plea that “Bendigo” had
Ben Caunt, better known as “Big violated the Prize Ring rule which
Ben,’ claimed the title. Five years disqualified any boxer who went down
later “Bendigo” recovered from his in- without being hit.
jury sufficiently to re-enter the ring. “Bendigo’s” last fight resulted in a
Twice “Bendigo” and Caunt had victory for him over Tom Paddock on
fought, each scoring a victory on a a foul. Then he retired to become a
foul. clergyman. He was the first man in
In the third bout they fought ring history to leave a championship
seventy-five bitterly contested rounds, for the pulpit. He died following in- Upon his death in 1861, this death mask
when “Bendigo” slipped to.a fall and ternal injuries sustained by a fall was made of the very popular Ben Caunt.

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Nick Ward, younger brother of Jem Ward,

held the crown from 1835 to 1841. He
died in 1850, after a successful career.

bout continued the following day.

However, Perry, who had suffered
severely, succeeded in having the con-
tinuation of the battle put off for two
William Perry, “the Tipton Slasher,’’ who
a
Harry Broome, a Birmingham pugilist weeks.
became champion after the retirement of whose triumph on a foul over William The referee disqualified Perry in the
Bendigo by winning over Tom Paddock. Perry enabled him te mount the throne. thirty-seventh round in the second
stage of the battle and Freeman was
declared the victor.
down a flight of stairs on August 23, Shortly after that, Freeman became
1880. seriously ill, a victim of tuberculosis,
Ben Caunt, a giant in size, lost the and died on October 18, 1845.
championship to Nick Ward, a Perry, outside of his defeat by
younger brother of the veteran ex- Freeman, decisively defeated the best
champion, Jem Ward, but recaptured men of his day in England, and when
the title from his conqueror in a re- “Bendigo” retired in 1850 he was
turn match. Caunt then adventured matched with Tom Paddock in a battle
abroad, visiting America, where he for the championship that terminated
scored a big financial success with in a victory for the Slasher in the
exhibitions throughout the country. twenty-seventh round on a foul.
Receiving a challenge from Charles On September 29, 1851, Perry
Freeman of Michigan to fight for dropped the title, losing on a foul to
$10,000 and the world’s championship, Harry Broome.
Caunt returned to New York. He de- Tom Paddock, who had three times
She
s clined the challenge when he learned contested for the championship, was
FS
Se
SSS
that Freeman was six feet ten inches the man to wrest the title from Broome
tall. Instead, he took Freeman on a
<5
on May 19, 1856, winning in fifty-one
tour of Europe. rounds of gruelling fighting. About
When they reached England, Wil- two years later, on June 16, 1858, the
liam Perry, “The Tipton Slasher,” de- greatest fighting man of his inches in
cided to tackle the American. Seventy England—Tom Sayers—defeated Pad-
Charles Freeman, “‘the American Giant,”’ rounds were fought when the referee dock for the heavyweight crown in a
who fought Perry in England and won on called a halt on account of the gather- battle lasting one hour an@ twenty
a foul, died shortly after of tuberculosis. ing shades of night and ordered the minutes,

36
William Perry (left) batters the
right eye of Harry Broome,
whom he has brought to his
knees. Perry was disqualified
for foul tactics. The battle,
which took place in 1851,
ended in the 33rd_ round.
Peter Crawley, former cham-
pion, refereed the contest.
Perry had protested the choice
of Crawley, fearing a “raw
deal.” The fight was rough
from the beginning, not only
hae
if
in the ring but outside it, for
each man had violently parti-
san fans.

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ops
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Tom Sayers, only a middle-

ae
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ts
weight by modern standards,
was one of Great Britain’s
most prominent fighters. He
reached the top rung of the
ladder, after a long uphill
climb, on June 15, 1858, “ as i
Ct tf » Y ens ™~
when he beat Tom Paddock
h a :
in 21 rounds for the cham- Oe hire ee
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pionship. The illustration be- rTTe
\/
low shows Sayers delivering 4
i ] Ud os
the knockout punch that won Pa5 J

him the crown. As in all early

fights, the spectators crowded
around the ring and partisan
feeling ran high.
=

GRO
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Tom Hyer, America’s first heavyweight champion, was born on January 1, 1819. He stood over six feet and weighed 185 pounds.

38
 AMERICA TAKES UP THE SPORT
Bya sort of traditional consent, the After Tom Molineaux and Bill Their contests were usually staged in
fight between Jacob Hyer and Tom Richmond, each of whom had gained the back rooms of taverns, in stalls
Beasley in New York in 1816 is estab- prominence as fighters in England and out-of-the-way places where they
lished as the first ring battle in though each was an American, there could steer away from the police, since
America in which the public-at-large is a long hiatus in U. S. heavyweight fights were prohibited by law.
was represented and in which the history, the first advertised ring affair Thirty-three years after the Hyer-
rules that governed boxing in Eng- thereafter being the Hyer-Beasley Beasley battle, the first heavyweight
land were accepted by the principals. mill. While pugilism was flowering in championship bout took place in the
We accept Jacob Hyer of New York England, it was only budding in United States with Tom Hyer, son of
as the first American to fight profes- America, where the majority of those Jacob, facing “Yankee” Sullivan for a
sionally in public, and his son Tom who took part in fights were sailors $5,000 side bet and the championship
as the first American heavyweight who had come to the Eastern ports of America. It was fought at Still
king. in ships that crossed the Atlantic. Pond Creek, near Baltimore, on

Jacob Hyer (above), father of Tom, is generally ac-

cepted as the “Father of the American Ring.’’ He
gained fistic fame when he defeated Tom Beasley in
1816. This was his only bout. The affair was the first
ring battle in America in which the rules of boxing
were observed. He was 6’2” tall and weighed about
182 pounds. Born in New York, he came from Dutch
stock.

Yankee Sullivan (right) was born James Ambrose, in

Ireland. He won over good men in England and came
to America in 1841, becoming a power in politics and
the ring. In a fight for the title, he lost to Tom Hyer.
 ey oe ‘

£3 auuaaienaie
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The great fight between Tom Hyer (right) and Yankee Sullivan, for $10,000, took place on a cold day with a layer of snow on
the ground. In this Currier and Ives print, referee Steve Van Ostrand is on the ropes at the left. The seconds kneel in their corners.

February 7, 1849, with Hyer the vic- September 9, 1841, against George heavyweight appeared in the person
tor in sixteen rounds. Hyer decided McChester, known as “Country Mc- of John Morrissey,’a son of Erin who
to remain inactive thereafter due to Cluskey,” Yankee Sullivan and_ his came to this country at the age of
the failure of Sullivan’s backers to put mobsters picked on Hyer and his sup- three and with his parents settled in
up a side bet of $10,000 for a return porters and frequent encounters fol- Troy, New York. He was born in
bout. lowed, The bout with McCluskey took Templemore, County Tipperary, Feb-
Though William Fuller, a Britisher two hours and fifty-five minutes to ruary 5, 1831.
of mediocre talent, visited America to decide, with Hyer winning in 101 Morrissey was a leading politician,
open a public gymnasium and acad- rounds. became a power in Irish-American af-
emy for boxing and declared him- The bitterness between the Hyer fairs, was a top man in the strong
self the champion, he had no basis for and Sullivan ranks resulted in a bout political institution, Tammany Hall,
this since he was a citizen of England for the title that took place at Rock and fought for his rights at the drop
and had also been badly whipped by Point, Maryland, February 7, 1849, of a hat. In his later years after re-
Tom Molineaux at a time when the and ended in sixteen rounds with tirement, he opened a gambling house
Negro was well past his prime. Fuller Hyer retaining his crown. Hyer re- in Saratoga, New York, owned race
returned to England and was followed tired following his failure to entice horses, and was the first Congressman
in this country by Deaf Burke and William Perry, “The Tipton Slasher,” and Senator to be elected from among
O’Rourke, whose presence aroused in- to come to America to fight him for boxers in our country.
terest in boxing. But still the game world honors. Tom Hyer died in New After Hyer retired as champion, he
lagged until after Tom Hyer became York on June 26, 1864. went to California, but upon his re-
the first acknowledged champion From the time of the Hyer-Sullivan turn, his sparring partner, who had
heavyweight of America. feud until well into the twentieth cen- accompanied Tom as a_ prospector,
Boxing and politics went hand-in- tury, boxing in America could be remained and to earn extra money
hand in those days, with the Native dubbed the history of Irish supremacy. fought a friend of Morrissey, John
Americans pitted against the Irish Hibernians from abroad, and some of Willis. Morrissey, who was present,
every time a ring battle was staged. those who lived in America, ruled the wagered heavily on his man and had
After Hyer’s gruelling contest at roost for many years. Shortly after many of his followers on hand to see
Caldwell’s Landing, New York, on Hyer whipped Sullivan, another good that “justice” was done to his boy.

40
 Yankee Sullivan, here seen dressed for a
Tammany Hall organization parade, was
killed in California by the Vigilantes.

Senate but never served because of

illness. He died on May 1, 1878, at the
age of forty-seven.
With the retirement of Morrissey,
Bae
Heenan had the field to himself. He
John Morrissey packed a remarkable amount of strength in his six-foot frame. He was
not too good as a boxer, but his power and ability to take punishment wore his oppo- was the outstanding heavyweight of
ments down. His battles with Sullivan and John C. Heenan were ring classics. his period in America and was gen-
erally recognized as title holder be-
cause Morrissey had refused to give
him a return bout following the mis-
George Thompson, Hyer’s pal, had all his arrest, he was found dead in his hap he had suffered in their Canadian
the better of the milling, but sighting cell, apparently a victim of a Vigi- bout. With no suitable opponent in
danger ahead, he deliberately fouled lante’s deed. America, Heenan’s friends urged him
to lose the fight, thus saving his neck. The bitter rivalry between Sullivan to issue a challenge to Tom Sayers,
Morrissey cleaned up on the victory and Morrissey found a counterpart in British title holder, for the highest
of Willis and on returning to New that between Morrissey and his fellow honors in fistiana. Adah Isaacs Men-
York, he made an unsuccessful at- townsman, John C. Heenan, known as ken, who later became his wife, was
tempt to match Willis with Hyer or the “Benicia Boy.” Their feud reached instrumental in forcing the issue, and
with himself. He then accepted a defi its culmination at Long Point, Canada, it was her influence, combined with
from Sullivan to battle for Hyer’s on October 20, 1858, when Morrissey that of George Wilkes, editor of the
crown and on October 12, 1853, he gained the right to the American Spirit of the Times of New York, who
whipped Sullivan at Boston Corners, heavyweight championship by defeat- challenged Sayers on behalf of Hee-
New York, Sullivan quitting in the ing his rival, who had lost the use of nan, that resulted in the match being
thirty-seventh round. his right hand when it struck a stake made. It was the first in which an
Upset by losing to his bitter Tam- in a neutral corner. American heavyweight title holder
many Hall rival, Sullivan quit New Morrissey then retired and operated was pitted against a British cham-
York and went to California to try his his luxurious gambling houses both in pion.
luck as prospector. He got in dif- New York City and Saratoga. He Thus, with Heenan’s trip overseas,
ficulties there and was hounded by served two terms in the U. S. Congress ended the first phase of boxing in the
the Vigilante Committee. Following and was also elected in the New York United States.

41
 An artist representing Les-
lie‘s Weekly drew these
scenes of the John C. Hee-
nan-John Morrissey fight
for the American cham-
pionship. Steamboats, filled
with 2,000 thugs, thieves,
gunmen and so-called
sportsmen, sailed from Buf-
falo at midnight and ar-
rived at Long Point, Can-
ada, at daybreak, October
20, 1858. Sand bars pre-
vented the steamers from
landing close to shore, so
small boats were used. The
ring was pitched next to
the lighthouse and a sec-
ond ring was set up to
keep the crowd 20° feet
away. In this area 50 ring-
keepers were on duty to
keep order. Morrissey was
in better physical condi-
tion than Heenan, who had
been ill for a week before
the fight, with a festering
leg ulcer. They bashed each
other for 11 rounds, and
only the fifth round ended
with a knockdown, by Hee-
nan. The others ended with
falls. Heenan collapsed in
the 11th round and was
carried to his corner. When
he failed to come out for
round 12, Morrissey was
crowned the new champion.
 BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS
Of all the names of champion in which bout Sayers was blinded and his laurels by twice defeating Bill
heavyweights who upheld ring pres- was forced to retire. He tried to ob- Bainge, known as “Benjamin,” and
tige, that of Tom Sayers stands out in tain a return bout but Langham whipping Tom Paddock and Bob
bold relief. His great contest with retired rather than face Tom again. In Brettle, each of whom he knocked out.
John Camel Heenan of America at British ring history, Sayers is rated The Sayers-Heenan match was a
Farnborough, England, on the morn- among the greatest of all time. He was great international event in which
ing of April 17, 1860, was the first an amazingly clever pugilist. For his both countries, aroused by what might
international ring combat that stirred pounds and inches he was listed a be termed “wild patriotic enthusiasm,”
public interest to fever heat on both marvel. heavily supported the native son. Not
sides of the Atlantic. His fighting On June 16, 1857, Sayers clashed only was the British press represented
weight was only 140 pounds, less than with William Perry, the celebrated at the scene by special writers, but the
the welterweight limit in these days, “Tipton Slasher,” in a match for the New York Spirit of the Times and
yet he opposed the leading middle- heavyweight crown. It took Sayers an Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, the
weights with success. Later he fought hour and forty-five minutes of battling leading sports journals, assigned their
in the heavyweight division though he before he could down his man and best reporters and artists to cover the
seldom scaled beyond 152 pounds. win the championship. Perry’s seconds event.
His only setback was at the hands of tossed in the sponge. Never before had a prize fight
Nat Langham on October 18, 1853, The following year, Sayers added to drawn together such a huge and

England’s champion, Tom Sayers (left), and Anferica’s title-holder, John C. Heenan, met in England, for the world’s championship
on April 17, 1860. This first international fight, for $1,000 a side and to a finish, was given wide coverage by the British and
American press. British police had plans to prevent the fight but were unsuccessful—and probably reluctant.
 $ oe -
2p = APY: ata

Heenan’s training in England was often interrupted by warnings that the police were
on their way to arrest him. Because of this constant threat, he had to move from
village to village. His final weeks of training were done in a barn (above) in Haram,
Wiltshire, where he kept a pit-bull dog, to prevent any tampering with equipment and varied gathering. ,They flocked in
to scare off strangers. Heenan and his trainer, Jack Macdonald, are seen inspecting thousands to the field near the town
the punching bag, filled with 30 pounds of sand, one of the first bags used in training. of Farnborough in which the ring was
When the day of the fight approached, Sayers, after nine weeks of training, left pitched.
Newmarket secretly in a horsebox (below) to avoid police on arrival at London Bridge
station, where a train was to leave for the scene of battle.
If the records of the chroniclers of
the early American ring history are to
BS
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ee a
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be taken at their face value, Heenan

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oa ed ° et was the most terrific hitter of the bare-
MeL Ot ORE TRAE
gone

era
knuckle days, a fighter with in-
domitable courage, of great strength
sie
ikea
e and endurance. No fight in the history
of the sport ever received more com-
.: es

ment, no fight has had so much

written about it, than the famous
a
Heenan-Sayers affair.
me
Sg
ee
Heenan was a native son, born in
America of Irish parentage. He first
saw the light of day jn Troy on May 2,
1833. When he left school, his father
taught him the trade of machinist and
at the age of seventeen he had mas-
tered the profession and gained the
rank of first-class mechanic.
Although his father had mapped out
the plans for the boy’s future, he filed
no objection when young Heenan
made known the fact that he would
like to see life and had decided to
 Sayers (left), and Heenan, both in disguise, met for the first time at London Bridge
station on the morning of the fight. The police could have prevented the bout, since all
London was wild with excitement, and two long trains were filled with spectators
visit the Pacific Coast to try his luck waiting to leave for the battle scene. Instead, policewere stationed within 15 miles of
there. On his arrival in San Francisco London, knowing full well the fight would not be held inside that area. Sayers was
he found immediate employment in first to scale officially (below) for the bout.
the workshops at Benicia belonging to
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
and it was here that he gained the
reputation as a pugilist of note and
was called “The Benicia Boy.”
When Heenan returned to New
York he was hailed by the sporting
fraternity. He reached New York City
on December 4, 1857, with James
Cusick, a friend, and on December 10,
he gave an exhibition at the National
Hall on Canal Street and was wildly
received. Shortly after, he became the
most talked of man in ring history.
Joe Coburn consented to put on the
gloves with Heenan after the crowd
had repeatedly called for a demonstra-
tion, and the sports were electrified by
Heenan’s style, his hitting and coun-
tering. Coburn, at that time the most
scientific boxer in the world, praised
Heenan by declaring he had every-
thing a champion needs.
There are some tales which the fight
fan is never tired of hearing and one
of these is the great international fight
at Farmborough. After bitter battling,
The Heenan-Sayers fight at Farnborough attracted celebrities from all parts of England
and France and special correspondents from the Police Gazette, Leslie's Weekly and
other American newspapers. Theré was a great difference in size when both men
stripped for action. Heenan weighed 195 pounds and stood 62”. Sayers scaled only
152 pounds and was 5’8” tall. Newbold, in his Great Battle for the Championship, went on an exhibition tour together.
writes: ‘The crowd was the most representative ever seen at a fight in our country. Heenan’s contention was that Sayers
Compared to former mills, the present congregation must unhesitatingly be pronounced was not to blame for the rowdyism
the most aristocratic ever assembled at a ringside. It included the bearers of names of the mob.
highly distinguished in British society, officers of the Army and Navy, of Parliament,
Heenan, on Sayers’ retirement, was
justices of the peace and even brethren of the cloth. The muster of literati included
universally acknowledged as cham-
William Thackeray and Charles Dickens.”’
pion of the world, and he decided to
return to Europe. Once again the
“Benicia Boy” crossed the Atlantic and
entered the ring on December 8,
the ropes were cut in the thirty- opinion, based on reports that came 1863, with Tom King for his opponent
seventh round, the crowd surged into from abroad, that had the ropes not and Tom Sayers as Heenan’s second.
the ring and a free-for-all followed. been cut, Heenan would have carried This time the gods Were unkind to the
The referee disappeared, but the off the honors. Thus, after two hours American, for he was beaten in the
fighters decided to continue and for and twenty minutes of terrific bat- twenty-fourth round, after thirty-five
five rounds they fought without an tling, the first heavyweight champion- minutes of milling. Heenan then re-
official. ship bout for the world title ended in tired.
The British were certain that Sayers a draw and a championship belt was He was thirty-eight when he died
had won the contest while the sup- given to each man. at. Green River Station, Wyoming
porters of Heenan took the opposite The American, a true sportsman, Territory, October 28, 1873, and his
side. viewed the attacks on Sayers as un- remains were brought to Albany
In America it was the universal just. He and Tom became friendly and where hé\was buried.
46
When Sayers showed signs of tiring
in the 37th round, Heenan rushed
him against the ropes, forced his
neck across the top strand (above)
and pressed down on his throat.
The partisan gathering around ring-
side went wild. They stormed the
ring and several thugs cut the ropes.
Sayers’ seconds interfered and Hee-
nan had his hands full warding
them off. The referee had aban-
doned the scene, but they fought on
for five more rounds. Heenen de-
manded that a new site be found to
continue the battle, as stated in the
rules, but the fight was called a
draw. Heenan, angry at the deci-
sion, ran to the train pursued by a
mob (right). British and American
writers differed as to who was lead-
ing when the fight ended.
 ENGLAND LOSES PRESTIGE
Boxing was forced into the back- born at Beeston in Norfolk, on April try for heavyweight honors. He was
ground in England for a time follow- 8, 1831. He was one of four brothers, matched with Sam Hurst for the
ing the disorder in the Sayers-Heenan three of whom were blacksmiths. He British title and stopped Hurst in eight
battle. The police became more bel- was extremely fond of music and in rounds lasting fifty minutes.
ligerent, the clergy more alert, the his youth he frequently traveled the Thus Mace won the British crown
attacks on the sport more prevalent. country as an_ itinerant fiddler. on June 18, 1861. On January 28 of
The sport had entered into a rough Though called a gypsy, he and his the following year he defended his
period. But two men’s names stood family denied he had any Romany crown successfully against Tom King,
out prominently: Tom King, who con- blood. who outweighed him by_ thirty
quered Heenan; and the great Jem Mace learned his boxing in the pounds. The bout went forty-three
Mace, known as the “Swaffham booths where he would offer his op- rounds.
Gypsy,” one of the greatest ring men ponent the choice of gloves or bare- In a second encounter on November
with the gloves that boxing has pro- knuckles, but invariably he succeeded 26, 1862, King, on the verge of ex-
duced. in having the former used. He dis- haustion, landed a wild swing on
On Tom Sayers’ retirement, Tom couraged bare-fist fighting and thus Mace’s temple, flooring him. Mace col-
Paddock claimed the British title, and brought public attention to the use of lapsed two rounds later and a new
in a bout with Sam Hurst, his chal- the mitts, a procedure later followed champion was crowned.
lenger, the latter, a 210-pound giant, by John L, Sullivan. Tom King at once announced his
clinched the championship by stop- He won the British middleweight retirement. But with Heenan clamor-
ping Paddock in nine minutes and crown and after defeating Slasher ing for the world’s championship by
thirty seconds. But Hurst lacked color Slack and Bill Thorpe, a clever mid- virtue of his memorable struggle with
and ability and his reign failed to dleweight, he lost to Bob Brettle, then Sayers, British sportsmen insisted that
arouse enthusiasm among the British whipped “Posh” Bill’and Bob Travers. King should fight the “Benicia Boy.”
followers of boxing. It remained for In a return bout with Brettle, he was Public opinion was too strong and
Mace to bring new life into the sport. returned the victor. By this time Mace King came out of retirement and beat
A cabinet-maker by trade, he was had grown heavier and he resolved to Heenan, who was forced to quit.

Jem Mace (left), known as the “Swaffham

Gypsy,” was the greatest ringman with
gloves England ever produced. He was
called the father of scientific boxing. Sam
Hurst (below), the ‘Stalybridge Infant, ’’
followed Sayers as champion, but lacked
support,
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
 “The next day the youth proceeded on his journey—and
for several days he continued to pursue it, until at last he had
nearly reached the point to which he was bound. On every
occasion when his courage had failed—when fatigue had
oppressed him, or when difficulties had stared him in the face
—the little lady, of flaxen hair and bright blue eyes, had come
to his aid, and, chasing away his despondence, had given him
new courage to proceed. As the youth came in sight of the
city to which he was travelling, she appeared once more, and
addressed him for the last time.
“As he was about to bid her farewell, his heart smote him
at the idea of parting with her forever. ‘My dear lady,’ said he,
while he kissed her hand tenderly; ‘I owe you much more
than my tongue can speak. You have watched over me in this
long and tedious journey; you have lightened my burthen,
cheered my fatigues, chased away my fears, and given me
courage in the place of despondence. But for you, I had long
since lain down and died in the path; or had lingered in
misery by the way. Would that I could induce you to live with
me forever.’
“‘That may not, cannot be!’ said the lady, as a smile passed
over her face; ‘that may not be. I am not of flesh and, blood,
like you: I am a fairy—my form is but a thing of hues like the
rainbow, that seems a bridge leading from earth to heaven,
and yet is baseless as a dream.’
“‘Lovely fairy,’ said the youth, kneeling; ‘pray tell me your
name; and oh, if it be possible, tell me the art by which you
have taught me to conquer difficulties, to rise above doubt, to
triumph over indolence, murmuring, and despondency!’ The
fairy replied as follows:—
“‘Listen, youth—for I tell you an important secret. My
name is Cheerfulness, and all my art lies in a single sentence:
Always make the best of it.’ So saying, the fairy departed, and
was seen by the youth no more; but he now perceived the
 force of the fairy’s words, and practising accordingly, he soon
possessed the great art of securing happiness, and of making
himself agreeable to others.”

Caution.—As you would air a bed carefully, that has been slept in
by one afflicted with an infectious disease, so be very considerate
before you place confidence in a lawyer.
 The War in Florida.

At the southeastern extremity of the United States, is a long

Peninsula called Florida. This name was given to it by the Spaniards,
because it seemed to them a land of flowers. It continued to belong
to Spain till about twenty years ago, when it was ceded to the
United States.
Florida was occupied by several tribes of Indians, when first
discovered. Among them were the Seminoles, a branch of the Creek
nation, who dwelt in the northern part of the territory. When the
country was ceded to the United States, they held possession of the
vast tract which stretches from the Atlantic ocean to the river
Apalachicola, save only a space around the town of St. Augustine. It
was a fair land, watered with many rivers, inhabited by millions of
brilliant birds, and the dwelling-place of vast herds of deer; it was a
land of almost perpetual summer, where the orange and the lemon,
and the vine, flourished in the open air.
Notwithstanding the beauty of their country, the Seminoles
consented to part with the best portion of it. They made an
agreement with the white people, to give up all their vast territory,
save only the central portion, consisting of pine barrens and deep
swamps, covered with a wild vegetation, and the dwelling-place of
alligators, serpents, lizards, tortoises, gallanippers, and a variety of
similar inhabitants.
When the time came to carry this bargain into effect, Neha Matla,
a chief of the tribe, told the Indians that they had been cheated,
overreached and deceived by the cunning whites; and he therefore
urged them to resist the treaty. But while the Indians were holding
their war-council, to deliberate upon the matter, the armed soldiers
broke in upon them, deposed the war leaders, and compelled the
poor Seminoles to retire from their land of fruits and flowers, to the
pine barrens and the swamps. They did this, but they carried the
memory of their wrongs written deep in their bosoms.

OSCEOLA.
Not long after they had taken possession of their new territory,
the Seminoles made another bargain, by which they engaged to
retire from Florida, give up their lands there, and remove to another
territory, upon the upper-waters of the Arkansas, far to the west.
When the time for removal came, the poor Indians still felt reluctant
to leave the land of their fathers, and go away to unknown and
distant regions! In order to compel them to remove, an officer of the
United States called upon them to deliver up their horses and cattle,
as they had promised to do, and go to their new home. Upon this,
they prepared for resistance. They retired to the deep thickets in the
swamps, called hammocks, and taking their wives and children and
some of their horses and cattle, set their enemies at defiance.
After a time Osceola, or Powel, as he was sometimes called, was
chosen as their chief. He was partly of Indian, and partly of white
blood—but a man of great courage, skill and energy. When he
became the leader, the war assumed a serious aspect.
I cannot now tell the whole story of the struggle that has been
maintained by the Seminoles for nearly seven years. They have
displayed a degree of courage, patience, perseverance, and
patriotism, scarcely equalled in the annals of history—considering
the smallness of their number, and the mighty force that has been
brought against them.
Osceola was a vagabond child among the Indians, but he became
their chief, and maintained the war with vigor for some time. At last
he was taken, and being removed to a fort on Sullivan’s Island, near
Charleston, S. C., he died in 1838.
The war has been continued since his death, and both the Indians
and the American troops sent against them, have performed
wondrous feats of valor. It is supposed that the Indians are now
nearly destroyed or worn out, and that the few who remain must
soon surrender to their more powerful enemies.
Such is the sad story of the Seminoles. They are savages, but
they have shown many traits of character worthy of our respect. We
shall soon possess their lands, but they have cost our country many
millions of dollars, and far more than they are worth. This piece of
history tells us that even an Indian tribe, small though it be, if it
bears hatred in its bosom, founded upon acts of oppression, may
become the instrument by which that oppression is punished.
 Composition.
The following is a letter of an East Indian servant, addressed to a
physician who had been attending his master:
To Dr. ——
Most learned Saib—I am instructed by his excellency, the
noble saib, to make information that his arm alteration of
pain, sensibly diminishing heat of surface. Accounted for by
them Blue Balls which your making master digest. My
honored master his face already seize collour of custard apple
which not desirable. Your honor when will come then, tell
bearer who will show the place of the unfortunate Budwood
Saib, the prey of the vulture ill-luck.
The meaning of this is as follows:
Most learned Sir:—I am instructed by his excellency, my
noble master, to inform you that the pain in his arm has
sensibly decreased. The heat of his skin is accounted for by
the blue pills you gave him, which had a very powerful effect.
My honored master’s face has already become the color of a
custard apple—a bad symptom. When your honor comes to
visit him, the bearer will point out his residence to you.
 The Cereopsis.

Natural Curiosities of New Holland.

New Holland is the largest island in the world, being as extensive

as Europe. It is considered a continent by some writers on
geography: but its size is not the greatest point of interest. It
possesses several birds, quadrupeds, and even vegetable
productions, distinct in kind from those of any other part of the
world. It produces kangaroos, which are as large as a sheep, and
carry their young ones in a natural pocket. They jump seventy-five
feet at a bound; and use their tails as a jumping-pole.
It produces black swans, and flying opossums; the superb
menura, a bird with a tail shaped like an ancient harp; the platypus,
a queer fellow, with a bill like a duck, fur like a beaver, and claws like
a woodchuck!
 Among other curiosities found in New Holland, is the cereopsis, a
kind of speckled goose. We give a picture of this bird, which will
afford a better idea of its appearance, than words can convey. Who
would not like to go to New Holland?

Tolerance.—“In my youth,” says Horace Walpole, “I thought of

writing a satire upon mankind; but now, in my old age, I think I
should write an apology for them.”
 Story of Philip Brusque.

chapter x.

Pacification.—​Another attempt to adopt some form of government.

The morning that followed the battle of the tents, and the death
of Rogere, was fair and bright. The sun, at rising, seemed to burst
from the bosom of the briny element, at the same time converting
its boundless surface into a mirror of burnished gold. The light
clouds that hung in the east, in long horizontal lines, were also of a
golden hue, betokening at once the gentleness of the morning
breeze, and the fair weather that was to characterize the day. M.
Bonfils, as he stepped forth from the tent, and felt the fresh air, and
looked abroad, could not but be struck with the beauty of the scene
around. “It is indeed a lovely morning—and this is a heavenly
climate,” said he, half audibly. “Oh, that the human beings upon this
lone island, would look forth upon nature, and take a lesson of
peace from its teaching!”
As he said these words, he was met by Brusque, and several
other persons, who had been deliberating as to what course ought
to be pursued. No communication had, as yet, been had with the
defeated party at the cave, and the state of feeling there was a
matter of entire uncertainty. After a little conversation, M. Bonfils
offered himself to go alone to the cave, and propose some amicable
adjustment of difficulties. To this, Brusque as well as others
objected; urging upon the hoary patriot the danger of placing
himself in the power of these violent men, recently defeated, and
likely still to be irritated by the death of their leader. But these
reasons did not shake the old man’s purpose. He replied that he
feared no danger; that the Rogere party would probably be more
reasonable now than before; that his very helplessness would disarm
their vengeance; and that even if they took his life, it was but the
remnant of an existence, now near its close, and which he could well
afford to risk for the sake of his friends.
Finding him entirely devoted to the adventure, Brusque withdrew
his objections, and the aged man departed, taking no weapon of
defence; supported, however, by a light bamboo cane, for his step
was tottering, and his frame frail, from extreme age. The people saw
him take his way up the hill, with anxious and admiring eyes, and
there was more than one cheek down which the tears stole, showing
that their hearts were touched by the fortitude and devotion of the
patriarch.
In a brief space after the old man had gone, Brusque and
François, unnoticed by the people, wound their way around the
trees, and ascended to a sheltered spot, near the cave, to be in
readiness to offer succor, should any rudeness or insult be
threatened to M. Bonfils. From this cover, they saw him approach the
cave, around which about a dozen men were standing. They were all
armed, and appeared to be in expectation of attack, yet ready for
desperate defence. There was a determination and daring in their
looks, which alarmed both François and Brusque: and it was with a
feverish interest that they saw the old man, tottering indeed, but still
with a calm and tranquil aspect, march directly up to the party, take
off his hat, and speak to them as if the emotions of fear were
unknown to his bosom.
“I have come, my friends,” said he, “for I will not call my fellow-
men enemies—I have come to speak to you of peace. I have come
in the name of those who are your countrymen, in behalf of
mothers, sisters, children, to beg you to lay down your weapons, to
lay aside all thoughts of war; to”—
“Down with the old fool!” said a rough voice; “let us hear no more
of his twaddle.” “Nay, nay!” said another; “none but a brute will
injure an old man: let’s hear him out. It can do us no harm.”