The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-03-10
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A converted" prize-fghter known
as "Bendigo," has recently attracted
much attention in London, as speaker
at religious meetings. He is now 81
years old, having spent nearly quar-
ter Of century of his life in the
ring" He enjoys the distinction of
having whipped Tom Paddock" and
of having fought twenty.one matched
fighJs up to 40th year, every one Of
which he won. He now holds IN his
possession three belts, including the
champions, and several prizes and
testimonials in the shape of silver cups,
etc. In addition to bis success as a
fighter, he has become famous as n
skillful fisherman. and his record shows
that he has served twenty.eight terms
in Jail, for drunkenness and disorder
ly conduct. He is said to resemble in
aspect "an English country squire
who has lived life of unbroken Sc
renity," and he bears only few of
the marks that usually distinguish
men of his calling. He boasts that
in all of his battles he never received
black eye, but admits broken
thunbs a broken finger. the loss of n
tooth and part Of one ear, broken
kneesc.p, and a blow that fattened
the bridge of his nose. He is broad
shouldefedaman, light of foot, and ex-
ceedingly "active with his arms" As ho
tells his story; he was the youngest of
family of or children, all of whom
are now dead, save himself. He was
early in life forced to exert himself to
secure .the necessities of life. He does
not think he took to fighting" be-
cause he liked it, but he had moth
er to support and could get a living
easier in this way than in any other.
His mother encouraged him, and he
easily fell inro the business. Before
engaging in fight it was his custom
to get on his knees and say, "Let me
win this fight, so that l may have the
money to keep my old mother out of
the work-house." This he meant as a
prayer to his dead father, who he be.
lisved could help him win. He began
life in Nottingham, where most of his
exploits were performed. He was the
most notorious man in the town, and
a frequent line in the papers was
"Bendigo in trouble again" His ac.
count of his last term in Nottingham
Jail and of his conversion is rather
striking. While in prison, he attend:
ed the regular religious service every
Sunday. and first had his attention at
tracted by the minister's account "of
the set-to between David and Goliath"
He became so absorbed in hearing
how David the little un foored the
great giant and killed him." that
he forgot where he was, and shouted
out, "Bravol I'm glad the little un
won" When he got to his cell be be-
gan to think seriously about what be
had heard, and could not avoid the
conclusion that somebody must have
helped David to lick the giant" Ben
digo is not an orator; he cannot even
read, but his meetings have been large
ly attended, especially by persons of
his own class, who listen with wrapped
attention to his story of his conversion
and his evidently sincere exhortation.
The meetings have been held at the
Claimants Mission hall. the Seven Di-
ais, and at other places in notorious
neighborhoods IN London. Many who
have heard him have been impressed
with his-earnestness, his honest pur.
pose, and his simplicity and power of
speech. He announces his willingness
to spend the rest of his days on the
platform, persuading men to embrace
religion. His proper name is William
Thompson. He is now at work upon
his primer, trying to learn his A b C's.
N Y. Tribune.