The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-10-30
John cable Uecnan Dead.
THE FAST LIFE AND EARLY DEATH OF
NOTED PUGILIsT.

NOTED PUGILIsT.
The despatch announcing the death of
John Gable lIeenan at Great River, Utah,
has since been confirmed by telegram to
Now York from Jamesl Cusick, who for a
week past has been nursing the great pugil-
st Although Heenan's health had been
very precarious for months past, his decease
was not expected ny his intimate associates
inNcw York. When the frs. dangerous symp-
tons appeared about three months ago, Drs.
Carnochan and Willard Parker were sum-
moned, and after carefully sounding his
lungs, they gave the opinion that there was
no considerable development ofconsumptive
tendency. They rather inclined to believe
that his lung hemorrhagcs were the sequelm
of an attack of pneumonia Encouraged 10
hope for u life which he himself had little
hope of prolonging, he sought the dry, pure
air of Colorado. While he was en- route for
Lower California, seeking a still drlcr eli
mate, a severe hcmorrhagc put an end to
his suficrngs.
John G. lIeenan was born May !, 1854,
n Wcst Troy. n. Y. His father emigratcd
from ireland, and during the latter years of
his life was master mechanic at the Water
,lict Arsenal John when only twelve years
old went to Bcnicia, California, whore his
uncle lived. At fifteen years age he was
npprcn;iccd to blacksmith Handling the
sledge hammer, developed him to such ply
steal perfection that at twcnty-one he was
REGARDED as the "bcst' man on the Pacific
coast His muscle hitherto had only been
tried in casual encounters, but no one that
ever got one of his tremendous lcit-hand
blows coveted Il repetition if it could be
avoided.
\ GIANT.
1 <. B.. 4
with admirably proportional shoulders, hips,
and limbs, he was very Hercules lie
was not quarresome, but on the contrary
was distinguished rather for his good natured
iolity, which was changed into anger often
or on account of his friends than in broils of
his own seeking. The veteran puglist,
James Cusick, while making professional
tour of the Pacific coast, saw the young
giant, and ilattcring him to hope for the first
honors of the ring, persuaded him to come
East and go into training. lie arrived in
this city in 1867. AT that time the Hon.
John Morrisscy had not become politically
ambitious, but was cOntcntcd with his re-
nown as chief shoulder-hittcr of the city.
The Benca Boy was the only man who had
tie tcmcrity to dispute this supremacy and
ell res to match them for ring fight were
made at once. IN encounter was arranged
to be fought in Il barn in the suburbs, but
the police interfered before a blow was
struck. Morrissey's clique charged that
iIccnan's friends had procured the police
interruption, and the taunt soon brought on
another match for $500 a side to be fought
in Canada. While the men were training
partisanship ran so high that the police were
kept busy quelling the fights and small
riots that grew out of it. The mill was
fought Oct. H. 1853, at Lsng Point, Cana
ia. Heenan was so i'll that his hackers this
time actually procured his arrest, but he
broke away from his captOrs and reached
the appointed place for the fight. His in
terior condition was seen in large ulcer on
his leg which made it necessary to have his
shoe unlaced. After fourteen rounds hard
fighting, OF which the first half were wholly
i'll lIecnan's favor, his seconds acknowl-
edged defeat. Many charges were made
against Morrissey's clique, such as owning
the referee ana allowing him too much time
between rounds and similar technicalities.
At all events the result was so unsatisfac-
tory that licenan's hackers strcnuouslv en-
deavorcd to
MATCH THE MEN
again, but no taunt or imprecautiOn could
induce Morrssey to put himself again with
in reach of that terrific left hand. While
these efforts were pending, Heenan, with
opened "club house" 1t was also du-
ring this period of inacton that the little
episode occurred connecting his name with
tiat Of Adah Isaacs Menken.
About the time of his divorce from the
Menken Heenan had been matched to fight
Tom Sayers for the championship of the
world" Chris OConnor and Neil BRYANT
were his hackers. No event of the prize
ring ever created greater general interest.
Newspapers We'd with each other in pub
fishing the details of its progress until it
achieved the dignity it claimed an 'inter-
national prize fight" Itswas fought in NAV
1850, in Devonshire. Ileenan for once and
the only time appeared in the ring in good
physical condition. After forty four rounds
had been fought, lasting two hours and n
half, in which Sayers received twenty
knock-down blows, the mob broke into the
ring and stopped the fight. No amount of
international squabbling sufiiced to alter the
referees decision that the fight was draw
1t resulted in such a reduction of Heenan's
resources that for the next four years he
starred with circus troupes, illustrating the
manly art of self-defence. In the intervals
he opened several club houses with disas-
trous results His final ring contest was
with Tom King, in December, 1864. for
$4,000 a side. IIeenan had trained with
great care, and the day before the contest
was in the best possible condition. That
day he sent his brother James, who .uper-
intended his training, to London to arrange
some outside bets. 1t is believed that some
POISON
was given him in James Hcenan's absence.
At all events while on the way to the bat
tie ground he was seized with violent vom-
ltlng and when in the ring his redoubtable
left hand, although it frequently reached
Kings face, scarcely made a mark. He
was beaten in little more than half an
hour.
This disguised him with prize fighting,
dstaste that was so intensified in later
years that he could scarcely be persuaded
TO talk of the prize ring. Even his init
mate friends were forbidden to mention it,
lie returned to this city and in the next
five years won and lost as many fortunes.
In 1866 he married Miss Sarah Stevens. n
tavorite actress in the city theatres. Her
influence was most happy in confirming his
efforts to lead more reputable life. 1t
could never be said of him that he did Il
dlShonorable act according to the code of
those with whom his lines were laid Still
many acts that were permissible according
to their code he refused to do. Several
partnerships of profit were dissolved by
MN on this account Among his associates
he was very popular. Their verdict is,
more generous, honorable man, never lived.
said Chris. O'Connor; ''IIe wore his heart
outside his oyercoat Why, he never was
any more than a twelve year old boy
Anybody could impose on him by an an
peal to his feelings"
Said Harry Hill ole was good mn
and good square fellow"
GYMSAsrs FOR THE OLD.-It has been
i1,n11riannI Il.nt =