The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-01


and Myer for Winners.
"Old Bill' Davis, years ago familiar
figure in the prize ring of this country, is
in Seattle. having arrived here last even
ing from San Francisco on the steamer
City of Paebla. He is one Of the old
school of bare-knuckle fighters to which
Tom Allen and Mike McCoole belonged,
and for short time held the champion
ship Of the world. The story of his life
would read like romance.
Davis was born in Belfast, Ireland, on
August l, 1929. When but years of age
he came to America with his parents.
They first went to New Orleans and from
there to Mobile, where the lad was raised
until IL years of age. What education he
received was at the Jesuit school at Choc-
tav Point Ala. In 1874 he joined the
United States navy and went through the
Mexican war, coming out to the California
coast with the squadron. In 1850 he left
the navy at Boston and went to California.
He had always been of an athletic turn of
mind, and he gradually drifted into fight
ing. During this period, however, he de-
voted q good deal Of his time to seafaring,
and on soma of his trips came to Seattle,
which was then only a little hamlet.
Later he went East, and for several years
divided his time between the sea and the
prize ring. Several of his fights were in
England, which country he visited as Sec
ond mate of q merchant vessel.
Later Davis advanced into the first rank
of pugilists, some of his greatest battles
being with Jim Dunn, Ed Burnett, Mike
McCoole, Tom Allen and Charlie Gal
lagher. At that time there was little fight
ing done on paper. Battles were fire.
quent. First one pugilist and then an
other was on top. SO that the honors were
handed around just as in horseracing-
one horse wins one day, another the next.
Davis was beaten by both Mike McCoole
and Tom Alien, but won the champion
ship from Charlie Gallagher, who after
ward defeated Allen. After 1866, Davis
dropped out Of the ring. and most of his
time since when he was not abroad, has
been devoted to instruction in athletics.
He has conducted gymnasiums in Cleve-
land, o., Virginia City. New Orleans. st.
Louis, Walla Waila, Seattle and San Fran
cisco. He was in this city in 1884 and
trained LANCE, the logger, who attempted
to stand before Sullivan, tempted by the
standing offer Of 81 900 to any man who
was successful il such an attempt. LANCE
had been following the champion all over
the Northwest to get pointers on his
style of fighting, and finally decided to
make an effort to win the money in Seat
tie. He came here some time ahead Of
Sullivan and induced Davis to train him,
the latter doing no with desire to see
some rare sport when LANCE tackled the
great John L. Lange lasted about two or
three seconds after shaking hands.
In 1869 Davis was in Japan and while
there was appointed by President Grant
a. marshal of the United States consular
court at Yokohama. He took Japanese
woman for a wife, marrying the daughter
of q nobleman under the old regime in
Japan. He continued in his position as
marshal from 1870 so '73 and then returned
10 America. He remained in this country
until the fall of 1854. when shortly after
leaving Seattle for San Francisco he was
appointed by President Cleveland marshal
Of the consular court at Annoy, China He
remained there In this capacity until
about three years ago, when his wife died,
and he again came back TO the United
States. Most of his time Of late has been
spent in San Francisco.
Although 60 years of age Davis Is still
spiendid specimen Of manhood. He can
run 100 yards in twelve seconds and can do
any amount of gymnasium work. He will
probably settle in Seattle. expecting to
establish a school for boxing. fencing and
other athletics here. He is . man of con-
siderable education and of a great deal of
intelligence and is an excellent coverss-
tionalist. Speaking of the coming pugi-
Hstjc tournament at New Orleans Davis
said 70 a Posr-INrELIGEsCEg reporter:
twill be the greatest week OF ring lighting
that the werld ever saw / have picked sulli-
van Myer aud Dixon to win. / choose Myer
because know that he ALWAYS has The best Of
health and will bs III prime condition. Nc
Aul,ss 10 a brilliant agh.er. but he can't get
into shane Jim Corbest consider the eeyerest
man with the gloves l ever saw, but he Is
6ghter I may be mistaken. but ! think this
match will prove il 1t is hard work e. compare
Abe men OF today with the ole-time lighters, but
I shiak sullivan would be 3 match for any OF
shenr. The conditions are SO different. Then,
With bare knnekle fgh{tng, nan had 20 have
xiii strength and endurance Now IL is ali il
Knockout blows, which were unknown then.
n naa has strength and can hit hard he don't
need so much ssiA.