The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-05
THE LATE JOHN KELLY.
His Prowess as q Pugilist-An Exciting En-
counter with Truckinan.

His Prowess as Pugilist-An Exciting En-
counter with n Truokinan.
New York Tribune,
The youthful days of John Kelly we're not
lacking in the excitement and sport which are
sought by most young men, and his social sur
roundings were of the kind to throw him In con-
tact with men who were ever ready for rough
ndtumble" fun, not to say adventures of q
ruder character. Yet there are no records that
he ever plunged into any reprehensioie oissipa-
tons, and the testimony of old friends Is unanl-
nous against what was sometimes charged
against him by his political enamies. namely,
that he was what is vulgariy known as
''rounder' Mr. Kelly never himself denied that
he had often seen some of the low phases
of New York life, but in public interview some
years ago he declared tina. he had only once
been in a gambling place, and then was on pri-
vate business, and had never seen in the interior
of any disorderly house. Inheriting rugged
constitution young Kelly's trade was kind to
develop it, and he brought to manhood full
measure of muscular strength. While utterly
devoid OF a quarrelsome disposition, he found
not few occasions when his prowess as hitter
came properly into play. Possessed of courage
and high spirit he brooked no imposition from
his companions While he worked with his EN-.
ployer Creamer. fellow workman, several years
older than himself and with good deal of
reputation of "bully," struck him once in
fit of anger. Kelly replied with blow but
the other men separated the two When
and his assailant went into the factory yard and
settled their dispute with 6sticutfs. The older
youth brought his antagonist down several times,
but without compelling him to cry quits Kel-
ly fought stubbornly, and discovering by a
chance blow weak spot in his opponents body,
he bent his energies to repeated assaults in that
place. The fight then became of force
against strategy, and the result was that the
younger and weaker youth finally came out vic.
tor. Kelly's nerve and strength stood him in
good stead in the later exciting times, when the
anti Catholic spirit raging in the city went
to the extreme of attacks, some
cuted, others threatened against Roman
Catholic churches and institutions and when
there were few elections at which violence was
notrampant in many o. the wards. story is
related of an ARRAY which Mr. Kelly said taught
him the need of using his unusual muscular
strength with the utmost prudence He was
member of the old volunteer fire department.
While once marching in parade of the firemen,
a burly truckman sought to drive through the
ranks. Kelly happened to be near the horses
and he baff1ed the attempt OF the driver
The latter leaped from his seat and furously at
tackled the young fire laddie.' 4 terrible blow
from Kelly's fist stretched the fellow insepsible
on the the ground and, after being revived with
difficulty in physicians office, it was two on
three days before the truckman could return to
work. Mr.. Kelly afterward stated that before
this occurrence he had no adequate idea of his
hitting power, and he was so distressed by the
incident that he resolved never again to strike
man with the full force of his arm.
The reputation acquired by the young grate-
setter through his occasional encounters shielded
him from trouble with the noted shoulder hit.
tiers" of the day, though many of them were fire..
quenters of the Ivy Green, in Elm street aud
ths Comet in Mott street. two taverns that were
we'll patronized in the evening by the ward
politicians and their friends, and where Kelly
often went after business hours to in.
dulge in politics in social way
In all athletic sports young Kelly took a
keen zest He spent a good part of his leisure
time the water and proved himself to be
good oarsman. He joined the Emmett Guards,
of the first-rate military companies in those
days. became first lieutenant and succeeded
Captain James McCrath in the command upon
the latter's death. CAPTAIN Kelly drilled his or
ganization thoroughly, and did not resign his po-
sition until he was elected alderman when thirty
one years old. He Of the organizers Of
an amateur dramatic association, which had it's
rooms in hall at Elm and Canal streets, and
which included several well known citizens in its
membership and from which graduated
several professional actors who achieved success
N the