The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-09-21
OLD TINE sLuGGERs.

OLD TINE sLUGGERs.
The revival of interest in prize
fighting, brought about through the
invasion of Englnnd by John l..
Sullivan, Jack Ashton and Jake
Kilrain has recalled the fighting
days of some of England's greatest
boxers, and suggested some sorts of
regret for those degenerate days of
pugilism." A correspondent Of the
London Sportsman has visited the
tomb of the famous Tom Sayres,
whose battle with John C. Heenan,
the Benicia Boy, is recorded in
English fistic prose and verse as one
of the greatest and bravest ring
combats ever known. All that was
mortal of Tom Sayers lies in High
gate Cemetery, near London, and
the correspondent writes that the
surroundings of Sayers' last resting
place are sadly in need of repair for
want of a few pounds with which to
pay for the work of reparation. To
this day Sayers is called by Eng
lishmen the greatest gladiator of
modern times" although he has
been dead over 81 years. After his
remains were committed to mother
earth a committee of friends, cad
mirers of true British courage"
raised monument to Sayers' mem
ory in the cemetery at Highgate.
The tomb is in the Egyptian style
of architecture, standing about u
feet high and resting on a solid
foundation. At the top is wreath
of victory and in relief on the panel
in front is medallion figure of the
fstic hero, with the inscription:
"Tom Sayers, Born 1926. Died in
1865" In front of the panel, cou-
chant on the base, is a, full length
figure of a watchdog. After the en-
gagement Sayers had with the Be-
nicia boy, at Marlborough, he re-
tired from the ring, and, by sub
scriptions, $4,000 was raised for
him. This was invested in the
names of trustees, with the under
standing that Sayers should receive
the interest during his life-if he
never fought again. 1t was stipu-
lated, however, that in the event OF
his again entering the ring as a
principal the interest thereafter
should go to his two children, Tom
and Sarah, and that when he died
the interest should be divided in
like manner until the children came
of age, when the principal should
go to them. Like the modern pu.
gilists, Sayers went on professional
tour with How & Cushing's circus
after his fight with Heenan, and
much of the money he earned i'll this
enterprise he lost by taking part
nership in the concern, and eventu-
ally sinking his capital. The free
life of the circus gentry of those
: times had it's effect on Sayers' health
and he contracted pulmonary troub
les, which eventually caused his
death. Nearly four years after his
, fight with Heenan at Marlborough
Sayers seconded the Benicia Boy
in his fight with Tom King at Wad'
,, hurst, there being no provision IL
the deed of trust Of $4,000 thai
! Sayers should not act as second i
he chose, but his appearance II
!. Heenan's corner was a surprise to
! many of the subscribers to the fund
, while others deemed it only propel
etiquette. Still Sayers had, to some
extent, lost his head, and seemed
: bewildered and helpless whenever
Heenan needed assistance. Dissl
: patton had sown the seeds of dis
: ease, and the retired champion was
: = on the downward path. When h
died he left, besides the $4,000 il
:. trust, considerable amount in sill
yer plate and other valuables. Some
of his hackers treasured up souve
? Mrs of him, and one of his early
, friends, Mr.. John Gideon, only &
few years ago, had the boots il
!; which Sayers fought Heenan, tn
spikes still retaining portions Q
grass and earth torn from the tur
inclosure in which the fight tool
place. AS compared with John L
Sullivan, the American champion
}. Tom Savers was not large man
: He was S feet 81 inches high in hi
! stocking feet. His shoulders wer
square, he had remarkably roun.
: ribs and girth, his hips were wei
: turned and his loins were small bu
= powerful and flat. His arms wer
9 medium in length, and did not shoV
!, !, prominently the biceps, or even tn
! ! outer muscles of the forearm. A
4 his fighting weight was never NOR
than 152 pounds, he would hardl.
= . come up to the physical standard Q
= = a great fighter in these days: 1e'
y although from his hips down he wa
9 wanting in muscular development
! he was considered better man o.
his pins than many a larger an
: heavier pugilist Of his time.-splr'
!, of the Times.
= uWuAr's YOUR name, sis7" aske