The New York herald., 1874-08-12
SKETCHES OF THE COMBATANTS.
Sam Collyer's Career.

Sam COlyer fright name Walter Jamies0n) Is OF
Scotch descent, although born IN BoulOgne
France, In 1S42. In height he Is I'VE feet five and
half inches without his shoes. and In many OF his
battles weighed 128 pounds His parents left
France when the subject Of our sketch was but an
infant and resided In England until he had at
tanned his thirteenth year, when the family re-
moved to this country settling al Williamsburg,
l. l. Like all sons Of Auld Scotia, Sam was fond of
athletic pasttmes, especially boxing, and, while
yet minor, took an active part in number OF
sparring exhibitions on Long Island, the quail.
ties which he then gave evidence of possessing
causing him to be looked upon al o promising
young man. In the general rush to arms early In
the war Sam enlisted in the 139th regiment
N.Y.S.V., where he was known by his family name
but at Port Royal, s. c., from some caprice or
other, he adopted his present nom de plume
Colyer soon attracted attention In his regiment
and, by his faithful performance of duty, SOL
dierly bearing and great courage in the hour
of peril won the esteem Of both officers and men,
and was speedily elevated to the rank OF orderly
sergeant, position he filed with eminent satis-
faction to all-not very easy task every body will
admit who knows anything Of the ifticuities that
beset one Of such rank.
At the close OF the war Sam made Baltimore his
place OF residence, from whence he was backed
for his maiden encounter In the ring with one
Mike Carr, atlas John English, formerly Of New
York, where he had turn-up with Johnny Grady
IN the "Bloody Sixth" They fought near the
Monumental City on March 10, 1864 Sam polishing
his rival OF In fourteen rOunds occupying Just
twenty-four minutes. He scored his second VIC
tory over Race Bolster, called "Horatio" by the
boys near Alexandra, Va, for $500 q side, May s,
lseo forty-nine rounds being fought In nfty-nve
minutes. Between these matches Collyer endeav.
ored to get on with Jim Kerrigan, and articles
were drawn up, signed, sealed and delivered, and
forfeit Of $25 deposited BY either party. Through
some Misunderstanding, however, Jlm's second In
stalment failed to be received In time, and 30 he
was obliged TO forfeit
The next and greatest victory of the series
placed to the credit Of Sam was achieved over the
well known Barney Aaron. The fight took place
at Pohick Landing, on the Virginia shore OF. the
Potomac, June 20. 1865, and was for $500 SIDE and
the light weight championship, which Barney had
quietly held Tor so long time that 1t was thought
improbable that any 0ver-zealous and ambitious
pugilist would attempt to wrest 1t from him. The
and both men were dreadfuly punished,
Aaron being stone blind. The New York
baltimore, looked about for some one else to pit
against the wonder, and finally selected Johnny
McGlade, and they were matched atter considerable
Is, 1857, Colyer winning without trouble
About this time Aaron wanted another shy at
Sam, and was accommodated, and they fought
for 900 and the championship ut Aqua creek,
Va, June Ii, same year, when Aaron was declared
the winner at the end or the sixty seventh round,
tried hard to get on another match with Aaron, but
the latter was afraid OF II and said he wouldn't
.'give away weight any more, but was willing 70
light anybody at 1lS or 100 pounds" binding that
Barney would not again come to the 'front.', C0llyer
accepted . challenge from Billy Kelly, anc they
met near Strickland Pa. November 27, 1857, when,
alter tough contest OF Ill rounds lasting one hour
and nfty minutes, Sam was declared the winner.
| Kelly being badly punished.
! rival in New York OF Abe HicKen, an English
| pugilist OF some notoriety. match was earn
! estiy discussed between the mon, but 1t ended IN
| smoke. At this time Billy Edwa rds had been Ia