Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-08
JOHN l. KNOCKED OUT
By Ashton, After Being Crippled by
John BarleycOrn.
THE SLUGGER WAS VERY DRUNK,
But in Sober Moment Vowed That He
Would Soon
TRY THE BI-CHLORlDE TREATMENT

DAN FRANCISCO, Dec. IL Special. +
John L. Sullivan departed for Southern
California this morning in state of help
less drunkenness. He came to the ferry boat
In hack and was lugged on board like a
sack of wheat. Sullivan bore evidence of
having been in fight, and it is stated that
he and Ashton had one in San Salito yester-
day. One thing is certain, Ashton was not
around to help Sullivan this morning, and
John L. looked as if he had been badly
| used.
Ashton and Sullivan got into an alterca-
sion over their cups Ashton was, compara-
lively speaking, sober; John L. was drunk.
Words led to blows, and the big fellow was
knocked down. He arose and rough and
tumble fight ensued, in which Ashton got
far the better of it. Friends rushed in and
separated the pair, and John L. was finally
persuaded to go home. His cheek was
marked and elaret was drawn from his nose.
Ashton remained in San Salito and enjoyed
himself for the rest of the day. He and
Sullivan have not met since, but when they
do and John L. is sober there may be war.
Sullivan was drunk nearly all last week,
but managed to sober up every night for
theatrical performances. He seems to have
completely lost his grip since the failure to
get on match with SIavin.
The Slugger win Try Bi-Chloride.
A Chicago special to THE DISPATCH
says: John L. Sullivan, champion pugilist
of America, will play his next important
engagement at Dwight, Ill. This time DR..
Lester c. Kelley will act as his manager
The great and only John L. will each morn
ing bare his great arm and receive his daily
injection of bi-chloride of gold. He will
be under the same restrictions as other
patients, and his disease-for it has been
proved that drunkenness is a disease-it is
expected will gracefully yield to the gentle
influences exerted by DR.. Keeley's inspirit-
ing cure.
Sullivan's trip to the autipodes was not a
bowling success financially. The American
champion did not draw like a three-ring
circus in the big Australian towns, and he
returned to San Francisco sore in heart and
poor in pocket For 60 days John has held
in check bis appetite for rum. When he
landed on California's hospitable shores his
troubles began. He was sued for debt and
his show did not draw. Then he became
careless, and the newspapers touched him
up with no gentle hand. All of this
brought on one of his bad spells. He
drowned his rage at his i'll success in the
wine cup, and appeared on the stage in a
state of intoxication.
He Was After the Critical Gang.
One night, while the forge scene was on,
he picked up heavy sledge hammer and
commenced a TRADE against the newspapers.
Carried away by his excitement he staggered
to the footlights, and in voice that was in
terrupted every now and then by hiccough
offered to edo up" any critic in the crowd.
He also shook his fist at the "gOds" and de-
nounced them in unmeasured terms.
His conduct off the stage was even worse,
and things finally came to such pass that
his hackers, Charlie johnson and Jimmie
Wakeley, threatened to withdraw their
support and disband the show. Sullivan
had heard of the wonderful cures performed
at Dwight. Turning to Duncan B. Harri-
son he said: 81 say, Dune, this guy Kelley
is putting some Of the boys on the right
road. The Doc says drunkenness is dis
ease. That hits me between the eyes bully,
and wouldn't mind giving his treatment
crack. What do you think of the scheme,
old man?"
Harrison thought it was good suggestion,
and at once arranged matters with Johnson
The troupe will play its way across the
Continent, close its season few weeks in
advance, and Sullivan will place himself
under Keeley's treatment. After he leaves
Dwight he will 60 into training for his
meeting with Slavin.