Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-16
A Wild Scene at the Boston SIugger's
 Benefit.

Bene6t.
 BOSTON. May 15.-Music Hall was scarcely large enough to accommodate the crowd that gathered tonight upon the occasion of the
 testimonial to John Lawrence Sullivan, Bos- toms pet slugger. 10 was Q motley crowd, comprising all grades of humanity from the newsboy, who paid his fifty cents for admis- sion, to the dignified looking merchant who occupied his s seat and who seemed strangely out of place in such rough company. The majority of those present were sporting men, who were enthusiastic and to all appear ances thoroughly imbued with Sullivanism. The preliminary set-tos of the evening intro- duced many we'll known sparrers and several of the contests were lively, working up con- siderable enthusiasm among the spectators. The crowd however, came to see Sullivan and nothing smaller would satisfy them. It had been currently reported that Godfrey, the colored heavy weight, would stand up be- fore him, notwithstanding the latter's denial of the fact, and many expected to rat ting exhibition between the two men. Con- sequently when William Daly. jr., came to the front of the stage, accompanied by Sul- livaR, between the set-tos the audience was at once on it's feet and fairly made the statue of Beethoven shake with the applause that filled the hall. Mir. Daly asked if George Godfrey was in the hall and upon the latter showing himself he was invited to the platform. Daily asked if Godfrey would spar Sullivan, saying, how ever, that as this was testimonial they did not propose to give him the whole house. Godfrey replied that he did not come pre- pared to spar and that he had not been re- quested to do so as had been stated in the papers. If Sullivan had come to him and asked him to spar he would have done so. As this was testimonial to Sullivan, God frey said he would prefer to wait till some other time when he would spar Sullivan ten rounds for $500 to S1 ,0o0 side. Sullivan then spoke up and said he never authorized the announcement that he would spar God frey. Phillips, his former manager, might
 have done SO, but he was not responsi- ble for anything Phillips might say. From this time forth he and Phillips were quits. Re said Phillips and Holske had come back to this country with story about the Mitchell fight which was false and which, judging from the audience before him, the public did not believe. He said he got nothing out of this testimonial, Phillips got it all. He (Sullivan) was willing to spar Godfrey or any man in the world. At this point the crowd appeared to be wild and everybody seemed to be looking for fight. Above the hubbub the voice of Jack Ashton could be heard from the stage announcing that he was ready to accommodate Godfrey whenever the latter wanted. He thought Godfrey was looking for too large game when he went hunting for Sullivan and Ash ton announced that he was ready to make match for $500 to $1 ,00o side. This ended the speech-making and was as near as the Sullivan Godfrey scrap came to reality The evenings entertainment wound up with four round exhibition be- tween John L. and Jack Ashton, the contest ants wearing the colors and costumes worn by them abroad. The cash receipts of the night are said to have been about g, GOO. Ex-Manager Phillips denies Sullivan's in- situations, but says that as long as separa- ton is desired by Sullivan he is perfectly satisfied He considers himself better fitted for other work than tramping around with sports and will settle in Boston. He declares that he has never said anything to Sulliyan's detriment.