Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-12
SHAW, THE BRITISH LIFE.GuAsD'

From the London Sporting Journal
The First Regiment of the English Life
Guards, commonly called the " Cheesemon-
gers" by the Londoners, and the members of
the pugilistic corps may reasonably divide the
applause and emotion which always attend
the recital Of the simple story Of John Shaw.
He was q native of Wollaston, in Nottingham.
shire, where he was in the occupation Of
farmer until eighteen years Of age, when he
listened to the seductive voice of a recruiting
sergeant, and intoxicated with honor and
glory, enlisted in one of the famous regiments
of horse-guards who afterwards, upon the san
culinary field Of Waterloo, smote the Cuiras-
siers Of Napoleon hip-and-thigh. He became
n recruit upon the 18th Of October, 1907, but
prior to that period he had distinguished him
self with tse fst upon several occasions Upon
one OF these, while he, mere striplirg, was
fighting with man forty pounds heavier than
himself, he attracted the attention of the ia
nous Jem Belcher, who happened to be at
Nottingham The Champion stepped to the
side OF young Shaw and gave him such sound
advice as to the tactics be should pursue, that
in the course Of few more rounds he took a
decided lead, and finally won the battle in
great style. Soon after his arrival in London,
and when he had undergone the drill neces-
sary 70 make him the alert and active as well
as powerful cavalry soldier, he made his first
appearance as u sparrer, at the Fives Court.
he was introduced to the notice of the pugi-
lists and amateurs by Colonel Barton, the pat
ron and baeker Of Jack Randall. In his first
exhibitions he was considered rather slow in
his movements; but practising with the most
Experienced and scientific boxers caused rapid
and permanent improvement in his method of
attack. his public displays were soon consid-
cred far above mediocrity, and at length he
got the better Of Tom Molyneaux in a desper-
ate glove encounter. 1t was now that three of
the best judges in England of the points Of a
boxer set TO work to study and estimate those
Of Shaw with n viayy IN haokip- in tha
prize ring. These were Colsnel Barton, Cap
tain Barclay, aud Mr.. Jackson, who had de-
feated Mendoza, and was champion when he
retired. They found that Shaw possessed all
the requisites to make first rate pugilist. He
was six feet and half an inch in height and
weighed, when stripped 2lO pounds As
part of his military discipline, be had been
accustomed to use heavy dumb bells, and from
this he had derived great benefit; while the
continual practice Of the broad-sword exercise
had not only given great strength and elssti-
city to his wrists and shoulders, but made him
an accurate judge Of time and distance. His
three judges, then, came to the conclusion that
he ought to be capable of administering very
effective punishment, and they determined to
have trial set-to at Mr.. Jackson's rooms, in
Old Bond street, between Shaw and the famous
Captain Barclay. The latter so celebrated for
his pedestrian performances, and as the trainer
of Tom Crib, for his great battle with Mo-
lyneaux. was himself man of great strength
and science He never shrank from punish
ment In sparring, nor ever hesitated to inflict
1t upon his adversary; and in his person the
trying tackle for Shaw was considered first
rate. few Of the sristocratic and wealthy
amateurs, besides Col Barton and Mr.. Jack
son, were present at the trial-test between
Captain Barclay and the young Life Guards
man. After il was over, they unanimously
agreed that he was one Of the thorough bred
sort He was very cool, and all resolution. 1t
a.. l. = 4
ing returned upon in retreating, he made fne
effective use Of his left hand and his quiet
temperate manner of closing with his adyer-
sary was compared to that of the steady and
indomitable Crib. Captain Barclay had been
used to say, d" the beauty of Tom is, you can't
make him loose his temper. Hit him how and
where you Will, he is always steadily on his
guard while on his legs This was found to
be one of Shaw's characteristics. and this
famous set-tO between him and the captain
was settled by tremendous blow on the
mouth, which shook the teeth Of the gentle
man, and caused the services of dentist to be
Brought into requisition on the spot The con-
clave broke up, highly pleased with the dis
play they had had of Shaw's powers, and with
determination to back him as soon as an op-
pOrtunity offered. Meantime however, three
big fellows quarrelled with Shaw in the neigh
borhOod of POrtman Square, and applied some
Opprobrious epithets to his regiment He forth
three, one after the other, and then took his
seat at the ia bic, cool and impassiye.
Colonel Barton, Captain Barclay and Mr.
Jackson were not the men to leave Shaw long
without a match and on the 18th of July,
lol2, he made his regular debut with Bur
rowes, aNestcountryman, Of game and sturdy
qualities. lie must have been a good one for
he fought Tom Molyneaux for above an hour,
when that renowned pugilist was in the prime
Of his strength. But, TO the amazement OF
those not in the secret, who had not been pre-
sent In Jackson's rops, Burrowes stood no
chance whatever with Shaw He hit him as
he pleased, so often and so heavily. that bis
blows on the est-countryman's head resound-
ed IKE the c!ank OF the sIber al his own heels
when he marched through the paved sourts OF
st. James Palace. In seventeen minutes. dur.
ing which thirteen rounds were fought, Shaw
had SO dreadfuily punished his man about the
head, that he was led out Of the ring stone
blind. The Life -Guardsman was scarcely
touched himself. He had not mark upon hi:
face, AMI Burrowes drew no blood from him
Three years elapsed before the young soldier
entered the ring again, and it was exactly
two months before that memorable day whose
close saw bin stretched on that field of hi:
fame, fresh and CORY" During the interval
he had practiced much with the gloves and
was held to be, by long ODDS, the best man il
the three regiments Of horse-guards. Those
who have seen troop Of these stalwart men
-oeasc0 " tneiE olS oiack nOrses, Will scarce
ly forget the idea of immense physical powe,
they convey, and time out of mind they have
been noted for their skill and activity In ath
letic exercises. The battle in which Shaw made
his second and last appearance in the prize
rlng, was with the famous Ned Painter, who
afterwsrd defeated Tou Spring 1t was fought
On the 18th Of April, 1915, on Hounslow Heath
and he won again with consummate ease ir
twenty-eight minutes. Painter was waited
upon by Tom Crib and Tom Oliver He set
TO with alacrity, and continued to fight with
undaunted plack, but the Guardsman had tol
much weight and metal. 1t was like the chars,
OF his own regiment at Waterloo upen Ia,
lighter cavalry of the French or the broad
side OF line-of- battle ship against that of .
s'OoP-of-war. The punishment administered
oy shaw was terrible. He stood over his mar
ani planted his hits with rapidity and fore
which reminded every body of Jackson in hi
ngnt with Mendoza. Painter was knocket
down ten times in succession, and in this cas-
ihe natural effect of such blows quickly fol
lowed, for at the expiration of twenty-eigh
minutes, Ned Painter was taken ont of IN,