The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-27
TO Pick A DEAD GAME SPORT
Bat Mssterson Tells How-A Sport
always & Gentleman.
Fro,y1 ne Cclo-oyz g.


There are sports and sports, and as this is
the greatest sporting country in the world
itpossesses all the varieties. There is, first
to attempt only partial enumeration
the genuine dead game sport, who is ordin-
arlIy a quiet, well-dressed, gentlemanlv
person, punotual il the payment Of his
oeots. ready to risk and lose his last dollar
without witch Of his perfectly trained
nerves, or to break the bank with equal
calmness and nonchalauce. There is the
tough sport, or the plain tough. whose
mouth Is the loudess. thing about him,
louder sven than his jewelry and clothes,
ana Who IS not many degrees removed from
tne typical oarroom loafer and bully.
Ihere is the down-at-heel sport, always
hoping TO raise the wind on a turn of the
red or a desperate stackup against the
favorlte in horse race. There is the pallid,
S10-a-week clerk who too often
monkeys with his check in order to breast
1t pace that kills, but not before it dis
graces and imprisons. There is the business
man with steady head, who is willing to
hazard hundred or so for a little tempo
rary excitement, and who has sense enough
TO know that he cannot beat the game, and
therefore doesn't try it. And there are
many Others WHO do not come within the
scope OF the present article and of whom we
need not more particularly speak.
Bs man qualified to discuss ali kinds
and conditions of sports, and whose own
reputation is continental, Mr.. Bat Master
son was interviewed one day last week by q
sun reporter. The perviest citizen of Colo
RADIO was found at his snug little home on
Arapaboe street and talked in his accus-
toned cheerful and lively style. Looking
into his bright and really handsome face
and listening to his pleasant voice, it was
difficult TO realiEs that here was q man
whose hands were stained with the blood of
many men fairly killed though they were
and deserving the DEATH, and whose char
acter for nerve and courage is known and
respected in the widest regions Of the west.
Saying little of himself, though the subject
often invited it. and speaking of others with
fairness and tolerance as admirable as it is
rare, even among men Of a higher grade,
this pink and perfection OF the dead game
sport, as he Is grown in these latitudes, pro-
ceeded to note the fsilings and the virtues
Of his class
III want to say, first" began Denver's
most sportive citizen, ''that would rather
take gamblers word than a business mans
bond. OF course I don't mean that ali
business men are untrustworthy from a
sporting point of view but as rule, you find
100 per cent. more welching and Republication
blers as class. ] have known sporting
men who were as punctual in the payment
of their honest debt as-welI, don't know
another class in the community to compare
with them"
els the true sport necessarily q gentle
msum was asked.
always" was the emphatic answer.
It is the toughs and plug-uglies who dis
grace the whole GLASS, who are no more to
"a unit he rNf h.
sporting fraternity than the dregs of any
other walk in life"
"Would you mind naming some promi-
nent sporting men of your acquaintance,
whom you regard as fulfilling the character
of what true sport might bep'
swell" said Bat. with q laugh, 81 might
give offense by leaving out a good many
who deserve mention: However. to take
only sporting men of wide reputation, l
should say that Pat Sheedy, formerly of
Chicago, aud now of New York, is a thor
oughbred sport and q 2ilt-edged gentleman
besides, true friend, and a man whose
word you can tie to whatever the turn Of
the card. You can't beat him in this
country. Then. for another just as good
and fine, there's Parson Davies, hacker of
jackson, and one of the best known SPORT
ing men in the world. In all his long
career he has never once been accused Of
any sort Of crooked deal.
"Just as up-and-up as the Parson and a
royal fellow besides is my good friend,
Nose Guntse of San Francisco. the prince Of
western sporting men. known from sea
board to seeboard. Then while you are
looking for sports, where will you find
gamier one. or g finer gentleman either,
than Jimmie Wskely of New York?
''For a genuine thoroughbred and man
with heart as big as Jay Gould's pocket
book. there's Maj. Frank Mclaughlin, a
veteran among sports and a friend without
a peer, unless you were to match him with
Tom Curley of Chicago, who holds up in
the Windy City the best traditions of the
guild. OF course, you wouldn't leave out
Billy Edwards, q gamy fighter in his time
and q 10-carat sport, although he is as often
wrong in his tips as any other man in the
country.
FL could nan1s any number OF others.
every one of whom deserves consideration,
not only as sporting man, but as a gentle-
man and man Of honor"
What kind of sporting men have we got
here in Denverr' the reporter asked.
''All kinds" was the quick reply; "but
the good element of sporting men here will
compare with the best anywhere. They are
quiet. peaceable, straight and refuse no man
a chance for his money. OF course there
are pretty bad specimens. too-them sort of
fellows who hang around saloons and are
always looking for fight, especially when
there isn't much chance OF their getting it.
II thsy could be railroaded it would be
better for the decent element of sporting
men, and the general citizen might then be
able to get an idea Of the real merits OF the
class"
The sum total Of Bat Masterscn's opinion
was that there is no better gentleman than
the true sport; that he is necessarily dead
game; that he pays every debt, and is really
one of the most deserving persons in the
community.
Turning to pugilism Bat had some inter
esting things to say. He believed Corbett
TO be one of the greatest fighters in the
world, and he knew him TO be a gentleman
besides Masterson's estimate of Sullivan
is well known. He has always insisted that
the big fellow was not first-class, scien-
tiflc fighter. but won MS battles by bullying
and browbeating inferior men. "Why. If
Slavin or jackson had been in the ring
with him at New Orleans, said Bat, he
would have been knocked out in one round.
Not that Corbett couldn't do IL. but he was
fighting for big money and reputatio and
took no chances"
When Sullivan came to Denver shortly
after his return from Australia, Masrerson
showed him about tho city. The big fellow
was drinking hard aud boosted in his cups
how that he would knock out Corbett with
one punch. you'll never do it, John,n
said Masterson. land you won't be able TO
lick one side Of him." This would have
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