The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-01-28
WHEN SULLIVAN BACKED
 DOWN.
St. Paul Globe.

St. Paul Globe.
 "Pll tell you story of John L. Sullivan that never was published" 1" remarked we'll known sporting man in the presence of Globe reporter last night. "I know it's true, because happened to be an eyewitness to the transaction myself. When the big slugger was in St. Paul recently, on his exhibition tour, he carried load of wine most of the time, and showed his ugly disposition on all occasions. But he got the worst of it once, at the hands of a St. Paul alderman. It hap pened this way:
 Sullivan and Alton Taylor entered the ticket office of certain road in this city to procure transportation to Milwaukee for the Sullivan combina- tion.
 John l.. brought his fist down on the counter with terrific force, and leering at the aldermanic ticket seller, blurted: My name is Sullivan-John l.. Sullivan. l got my combination here, an' l want to go to Chicago an stop at Eau Claire. Gimme tickets, theatrical rates.' Saying this the champion pugilist slammed a roll of bills down in front of him and looked tired, as if the length of the speech had wearied him. r
 "The alderman replied politely: I don't think l am authorized to sell you tickets at theatrical rates, sir, un- less you get an order from the general passenger agent
 "The prize fighter growled: Say, do you know who l am? Gimme tick cts at theatrical rates, now, and no more monkey -business.'
 "'4es, l know who you are. You just told me your name was Sullivan. But it don't make any difference who you are: 1 can't sell you tickets at theatrical rates without an order from the general passenger agent,' replied the alderman little nettled by Sulli- vans furious tones.
 Sullivan did not reply, but quick as flash he drew his right arm up and tried to catch the alderman back of the head, intending to bump his nose on the counter. The alderman was too swift for him, and sprang nimbly out of the way. His alder manic blood was up. Before his move- ments were understood he walked back to the safe, opened the door and pulled out big six shooter. With the weapon in his hand, he turned back to Sullivan and remarked indif terently: That kind of business don't go here, Mir. Sullivan. You take a walk
 Sullivan was speeches., but he had caution enough to back away few steps, and Steve Taylor took him by the arm and pulled him towards the door. Come on out O here, John,' he said; you don't want to have any trouble here.' Sullivan backed out, and when he got near the door the alderman laid the revolver down un- der the counter and nonchalantly picked up newspaper. Sullivan saw this, and suddenly breaking away from Taylor dashed towards the gate leading inside the counter. But the plucky alderman was just little too l sIilhIC IOI HlIlt. III hu lUSCdnL the gun was in his hand, cooked and the mug gle levelled straight at Sullivan's head. The champion stopped short, trem- bling with fear and rage.
 "D-n you, sir, you make another move this way and Pll blow a hole clear through your carcass, you dirty cur, and there'll never be anything said about it, either.' Advancing as he talked, the alderman showed the re- volver close up to the face of the big slugger, who stood paralyzed with fear, and continued You think you're great man. I'll let you know, you sneaking dog, that you can't bully me. You turn your head around, now, and move out of that door, or the cor oner will have business with you be- fore morning. Gitp
 Sullivan turned in a dazed sort of a way, and Steve Taylor pulled him along. The alderman kept close be- hind, and the slugger increased his gait and sneaked out into the street on dog -trot."