The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-02-27
KNOCKED OUT.
Jno. L. Sullivan Receives a Pot of Hot
Coffee in His Chest and a Chair
Over His Head.
(Rich,nond Dispatch.)

It was about s o'clock yesterday morn-
ing when Sullivan, Duncan B. Harrison,
his partner, Mr.. Barnett, their manager,
and Miss Nelson, also Of the Honest
Hearts Company, were taking breakfast
in the ladies dining room at Murphy's Ho-
tel.
The party were engaged in this agreea-
bic morning task with all the seriousness
it demanded, when the champion made it
known that he wanted some pepper-sauce,
of which condimcnt he is extremely fond.
Calling to "Jecms" Fry, the negro waiter
who was supplying his wants, the Boston
ian asked him for the red pepper. Fry
picked out the article called for and set it
in front of the big boy.
Again Sullivan called for red pepper
and Fry lifted it an inch or so from the
tuble to show that it was there. Fry then
left the room.
Once more the champion roared for the
pepper and announced that he wanted it
hot and he wanted it quick.
William Miller, another negro waiter,
came ND and told Mr.. Sullivan that the
red pepper was standing by his plate Mr.
Barnett explained that it was pepper
sauce not red pepper the eater wanted, and
Miller at once produced the fiery article
As he handed it to Mr.. Barnett, Miller ex-
planned to him that Fry was not to blame
for failing to bring Sullivan the sauce, as
he had distinctly called for pepper.
At this juncture Sullivan interposed
and wanted to know what the "sheol' Mil
Ter had to do with it.
The waiter responded that he was SIM
ply telling why the guest had not gotten
what he wished.
At this the slugger ripped ont another
oath.
Miller told him that the apartment in
which they were breakfasting was the Ia
dies dining-room and that Colone; Muir
phy did not allow that kind Of talk in
there.
Then Sullivan with significant emphasis
inquired of the negro if he knew to whom
he was speaking. Miller intimated that
while the pyhsiognomy of his tstic high
ness was perfectly familiar to him he was
not overawed thereby.
Sullivan made break at Miller, who
eluded him. The champion essayed an
other pass, which the negro also lodged.
BY this time Miller had gotten behind
the table and against the wall in his eff
forts to get out of the wrothy pugilist's
path.
Finding he couldn escape, Miller drew
back the coffee pot he had in his hand and
let drive at the big Bostonian, the vessel
and contents striking him in the chest.
Realizing that he had not second to
lose the waiter grabbed chair, and fol-
lowing up his temporary advantage struck
yes, actually struck-John Lawrence
Sullivan two blows with it. In q second
the prize-fghter had wrested the weapon
from the hand Of his assailant, and was
nearly blind With rage and steam from the
coffee.
But the negro, where was he?
Up ON the roof of the hotel, to which he
had discreetly fed. This point is not ac-
cessible except to the initiated, and Jno.
L, had no idea as to the whereabouts Of
his prey.
Sullivan tuned and reared and searched
Gil through the Office and saloon for the
missing man, swearing that il found he
would make 'sgood niger of him.
But Miller was safe on the cupoia, from
which he patiently awaited the leaving OF
Sullivan and his friends. he watched
them depart from the hotel, and when tho
train had left he heased sigh Of relief
and returned TO terTa lraaa, y queer mix |
ture of fear and pride.
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