Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-07-10
HOW IT CAME ABOUT.
SULLIYAN'S HARD BATTLES WITH HIS
APPETITE.
A! Ous Tina His Backers Had Made Up Thor
Minds to Lass Their $1,000 Wrestler
EuldoOn Responsible for tho
Boston Boys Victory.

Now that the great fight ID over it is in
teresting to know how it came about.
Ever since that dull December day in 1887
on which Jake Kilrain battled with the
the English champion, Jem Smith, in
France, when, after a stubborn battle OF
Ice rounds, which consumed two hours
thirty-one minutes, the contest was de-
clared draw by the referee, the probable
tiles in favor of meeting between Sulli-
van were steadily upon the increase.
When, on the 18th of March following,
John l.. filled to defeat Mitchell, this
fight also ending in draw by consent, 1t
was abundantly evident that, 10 regain his
lost prestige, Sullivan must meet and de-
feat the only man who had any sort Of
claim to be regarded as his equal, or posi-
bic his superior, as a pugiliss, aud that
msn was voted by a cOucensus Of expert
opinion to be Jake Kilrain.
Doubtless Sullivan himself fully real
lied the importance of taking steps to
bring about such match, but, unioItu-
nately, when some weeks after his failure
to annihilate Mitchell he returned to this
country, he at once plunged into course
OF drinking and dissipation, which culmi-
mated in the fall Of last year in deeper
ately serious illness from which for some
weeks it was regarded as extremely uu-
likely that he would ever recover. At this
time The great fighters star was well nigh
set.
THE RALLY AND THE FALL.
Bot his magnificent constitution rallied,
shook off the dread fever, aud, better than
al, he pledged abstinence from his great
est enemy-;he bowl. But his old friends
were Just discussing the possibility OF re-
habihtating the fallen idol in the good
graces Of the sporting community, when
this odd human mixture of strength and
weakness broke out worse than ever, and
it came to be pretty generally believed
that John L. Sullvan's day as a champion
boxer hsd gone by forever.
Jim Wakely and Charley johnson, how
ever. still had warm corner in their hearts
for the big fellow, and at their earnest Sc
licithtion he once more pulled himself to-
gether and faithfully promised that this
latest lapse from sobSiety should be the
! st. Resolved to give him one mo;e
chance these two well-knOwn sporting
men interested themselves in forming a
pvndicate to back John against Kilrain for
the championship of the world and a stake
Of SO. 900 a side. The money WAS readily
raised among o select few, and on Deem
Der the 8ih Of last year Sullivan called at
the Office of the NeiC York Clipper and, de-
posting S.. coo rs 40 earnest of good faith,
issued a challenge to fight kilrain accord
ing to the new rules of the London prize
ring for $1,000 a side.
RICHARD K. FOx's BEST.
On December % Sullivsn's deposit WIS
duly covered by one Louis Allen, the
nominal hacker of Kilrnin, although it was
well understood in sporting circles that
Richard X. Fox was actually finding the
sinews of war, and on January meet
ing between representatives Of both men,
AZ which. by the bye, Sullivan, but rot
Kilrain, was present, wac held at the
Rossin House, Toronto, and the great
match was fully discussed, articles drawn
up, duly signed, and the engagement rati-
lied.
There was = lengthy wTangle IS 10 The
rejection Of referee, bat it was fually
mutually agreed to select this important
official at the ring side. On April Il
the final deposit of $1,000 side was
duly staked and tee lump sum
to be fought for, $4,000, subse
quently was entrusted to the care
OF the well-knowp New York book-msker,
Al Cridge The belt given by Richard K
Fox, still held by Kilrain, owing to Sulli'
vans refusal to fight for it in 1887, I'M
derstood to be emblematic of the iistiC
championship Of America, was, after
strong objection on the part Of John, also
included in the stake Of hard cash and
sweled plate for which the two pugilistic
giants have just fought.