New-York tribune., 1878-05-02
VARIED AND EvENrFUL LIFE.

| IRoN-wORKER, PUGILIsT, GAMBLER AND POLITICIAN.
John Morrissey was born IN TcmplemOre,
Tippcray County, ireland. February ~ 1881 At the
age Of ve years he 10 this country with ns par
ents who settled at Troy, n. Y There the boy lived
until well advanced in manhood. His father a com
mon labOrer, with trade and little education. The
heritage OF his iron constitution indOmablc
pluck and rcsstless energy. His educational advantages
wee OF the scanties lie grew mp among the rude work
er In the mills unlettercd they, but developing
those qualities which in after years brought him INTO
prominence Tradition reports that be served AZ many
trades but It II known that at ten OF he
an apprentice mOlder in stove factory at Troy and
Liter was employed In casting cannon balls IN
the arsenal. Among his companions muscular
strength was regarded the highest attribute
Of man. Young Mornssey early gained the reputation
OF being formidable Antagonist. said old competitor
OF his III those DAYS John seemed % know when
he was licked, and just as You 20, tired Of humping
him. be kind o. got his second wnd and then you might
- well tackle the devil try TO make any headway
against HIM"
In 1916 Morrisscy served fireman Hudson
River steamboat On short Visit 10 tins city two gears
later me went into the then notorious resort for sport
Ing men at No. 25 PSrk-rOw. Becoming involved IL
quarrel with several persons present, he Offered " 70
lick the whole crowd" and kept his word This brought
him 20 the notice ~ employer OF cm.grant runners
who NJ once engaged his During the first week
three buIc- beaten sOundly BY him. ana straight
WAY nlh were uOuDeu AJOlI lhls lluIc nc dP
pearcl In the courts for several assaults uni dn-
tng the succeeding niue years number OF criminal IT.
dlctments were found AGAINST him These mlsdcIn.~'-
os seemed 10 weigh heavily aorrisscy later
lie sought aiaIe them bOyiSA fOlllcs due largely
10 The surroundings Of his early life
LQroE-sELING IND PRizE-FIGHTING.
Shortly after reaching mans estate Morrsscy married
Miss Sarah smith, Of his own city. the daughter of
vellLnowu Steamboat captain. His ambition was now
stimulated; he wished 10 make fortune. He selected
the liquor traffic as the road TO wealth borrowing
800 OF friend, h. opened barroom In Troy As,it
proved unsuccessful. he then embarked IN the faro
banking business. This was lucrative To it be sddcd
coc-nghtne and his place the resort OF sport
ing" Trnjans.
In 1910 M0rrissey went to California, and there
fought prize-Hght with George Thompson, an English
pngilist Returning in 1851, lie had a contest with
Thomas McCann, a doublejouted pugilist, who was
known as the champion Of the city Morrssey worsed
INN after furious fight In an Old barroom at Leon-
nr1-st and Broadway. His reputation was now estaO
sGed After minor encounters, he was vct0r
Ous in a prEe-fght Chatham Four Corners with the
notorious Yankee Sullivan he then tried To make match
but al the meeting ut Z" Tine Abbey" near McCOmbs
Dam Hyer refused fight except with pistols. "Bt"
Poole butcher, and intimate friend OF Hyers soon
after auarreed with Morssey and agreed TO meet him
alone al early morning to nght with their fats When
Morrssey reached the place, he found Poole surrounded
by score OF friends. Nothing daunted, he knocked
Poole down. but the crowd then fell upon him, and be