Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1882-03-04
SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1882.

Albany Journal,


Quietly singing "a tremendous sledge-
hammer under the rude sheds ut the
west enc Of the new capital grounds,
there has been at work this winter, a
man whose endurance and skill in
sparring rank him among the foremost
exponents OF the manly art" in this
country. His name is Dick" E,gan,
and II glance at his proportions con-
WINGED our reporter that he is, indeed, as
his companion style him, "a terror
No formal steps have yet been taken in
the matter, but it is perfectly we'll un-
dcrstood that Egan intends in a short
time to challenge John Sullivan for the
championship, and there is abundant
reason for believing hat he will make
things lively for the Boston boy"
Egan is not the sort of man 10 do any
Boosting of his own prowess, but he has
perfect confidence in himself, Just the
same. Some little time ago, it will be
remembered, Sullivan appeared in Troy
one evening to give an exhibition of his
skill. Although "Dick" is at work on
the state-house, he has been living in
Il sister city, and he was present AS q
spectator atthe performance in question.
Sullivan was easily cock Of the loft
He cleared out every man who appear
ed against him on the stage, and finally
it was announced BY his hackers that
there was $50 in greenbacks deposited
with the management, to be handed
over to any individual who would stand
M for just five minutes in front Of the
bal.ed-beans pugi!ist. Egan, who had
not intended to take any active part in
the exhibition could not sit quietly in
his place and see this locality bullied.
lie remembered that John C. Heenan,
once the acknowledged champion of the
world, who drove Sayres out Of the ring
in 1860, although blinded for the time
in both eyes, was born neal Troy, and
he determined to maintain the honor OF
Ilium and the Empire state.
Advancing from behind the wings,
"Dick" Egan, "the Terror" appeared be.
fore the foutlights and announced that
he was ready to contest for the prize.
There was q moment Of breathless sus.
pense but anxiety was quickly relieved,
to give place to Indignation. Sullivan
took one hasty glance at the gigantic
muscles Of the newcomer, and Immedia.
tely declared hat it might "cause I'm,
e~asiness" il he should continue the en-.
t~ertainment. Egan allowed that he
meant business" at least to the extent
of $50, but 1t vas no use. The pride o,
Beacon hill did not dare to cope with
his doughty challenger. A similar story
might be related of one of the bullie.
among the new capitol s~tonecutters
One Of this class in particular, who is a
prominent member of the ALBANY
Grant club" recently spoke disparag.
ingly Of Egan's abilities, but no sooner
did "the Terror" take him to task than
the fellow wilted, and took everything
back, declaring that he wouldn't fight,
under any circumstances, even with a
child. as he disapproved of the practice,
on princinple. Thus Dick" has had no
opportunity to try his mettle upon any
OF his W race, and has been obliged to
content himself with rracticing with
sledge-hammers and sandbags.
Many pleasing incidents are related OF
the "Terror's" achievements i'm athletics.
but some Of them are so remarkable as
to tax credulity. He is said to strike n
massive blow with his heavy hammer,
and then stop the rebound instantly
while in mid-air. He is said 10 bang At
. 6OO-pound bag suspended from a beam.
which swings up and touches the timber
on receiving "a lunge from his colossal
paw. Egan weighs $50 pounds, which
he proposes to reduce to 2lO, but no less
His biceps are 1917 inches; chest, 42A ;
waist, At; hips. 45t thigh. cot calf,
l9a. He has worked hard ever since
boyhood. and not wasted his substance
by dissipation. Remembering the Incl.
dent at Troy, and knowing something Of
his, capacity, the friends Of Egan are
very DESTROYS to arrange . match. The
tssnble at present 10 that no wealthy