The morning call., 1892-03-10
SMITH AS A FIGHTER.
How "Big Neck" Gained His
Great Record as a Bad Man.
He Feared a Pistol, But Engaged in Bar
Room Brawls as a Pastime- Sconchin
Maloney's Clever Retreat.

tion between sporting men in this city of all
denominations, both the killer and the killed
being well known to every local sport who
follows the game"
George a. or big Neck" Smith was
especially prominent in all sporting circles.
Being a professional gambler, he was de-
termined and INSCRIPTIONS in his business
methods. as all such men must be to be at
all successful. Every one who knows Smith,
however, says that apart from his gambling
attributes and rough exterior, lie had
streak Of true generosity and good feeling.
and there is hardly boy who follows the
turf for living who wouldn't do anything
for him. All agree thas he was never a
gun fighter" and although when chal-
lenged he would fight with his fists at the
drop of the hat" yet he was loath TO as
sumo the aggressive unless he received great
proYocation.
few incidents of Smiths career, COM
municated TO CALL reporter Yesterday
afternoon by local sportsmen, will serve to
show what exciting and varied incidents and
ylcissitudes man OF his character passes
through In even an ordinary gamblers
career: Smith would rather fight for a
friend than himself at any time" said an
ex-senator and former supporter of Smith in
the latteT'S pugilistic DAYS He never to my
XII oWledge used or even carried pistol down
In San Francisco although every man used
to Ice almost obliged to do so formerly
when travelling the race circuit, where
quaIrelS were numerous. but Smith never
used any gun that lie may have carried 10
give You an instance, l saw a fellow tackle
Big Neck with 3 long pole at Sacramento
In 1854, ami the man mashed him badly
about the head and face Although knew
Smith was carrying six-shooter, he did not
attempt to use il, but waiting his oppOr-
tunity he rushed in and gave his antagonist
a terrible beating with his fists. This will
show you that Smith would not use fire.
arms. The man always had a heart as big
as bullock. and | knew him once to find
young boy down In San Jose who had run
away from home. Smith knew his father.
and not only took him to his room and
boarded him, but spent about So ON him
for clothes aud linen until the father came
down and took him home again. In
1887 Smith challenged any heavy
weight in the world to fight, Joe Goss pre-
ferred. Fred Kirble of Chico was his
hacker, and Is now prominent and wealthy
resident of San Antonio, Tex. The email
leDge, however, was never taken up. Smith
formerly lived with Jennie Perkins, the
celebrated female faro-dealer, but never
married her. She died in this city, and he
applied for letters Of administration of her
estate. No, | think Pat Brannigan must
have threatened Smith badly to make him
shoot, 1 knew the former well considering
that l backed him for several of his fights
in New York and Brooklyn. He was quiet
when sober. but very ugly when lie mad q
little whisky in him"
NOT A SHOOTER.
a prominent horseman said: "Smith has
been in numberless gambling and horse
racing rows. but never knew him to be a
shooter. ln fact, | have seen him bolt
away from the sight OF a gun. He was
big-hearted man, however. 4 woman once
sent for him and said, i want you to lick a
certain man for me. George He replied,
Well, can't fight all the town Never
mind, said the woman, here's $50 piece;
20 in and do HIN up Now, the proposed
victim was gentleman and well known to
Smith, and the latter went to him. told him
of his errand and offered TO divide the
twenty with him. The offer was declined,
but the licking did not.comu off," Smith
was always suspected Of having dOped the
horse Maynard at the local track some
years ago, and lie was also accused Of hav-
ing put Cow itch" on trotter OIrin
Hickok drove down al Santa Cruz Hickok
got the stuff on his OVID person, and il came
near costing him his life. These charges
were, however, never sheeted home to
NTH.
welI-known professional gambler stated
yesterday that The champion event in
Smiths career occurred at the Cottage
some years ago over game at poker. The
narrator said: Its about the only time
ever heard of big Neck Smith using a gun
The party had a green hand to cut up,
which they successfully did, when Smith
Joined in the game and cleared every body
out in great shape. All the money in the
crowd was ia one pot and one of the party
held four aces. Now. there are only two
ways Of beating hand like ths-nameIy,
with running flush or slx-shOOter. Smith
beat 1t with the latter. Some wild shooting
followed, and ali we're lodged in Jail; but
Big Neck got away with the DOODLE
sCoNCHIN wRIGGLED OUT.
When Smith was knocking about Sacra
mento some years ago he went Oh colossal
spree, and In some way became involved in
row with ''Sconchin' Maloney. The lat
ter. IL seems, had taken occasion to abuse
Smith most roundly and the big-neck states
man hearing of IL announced his intention
OF busting Mr. MaOney's jacket in good
old-fashIUDed style. Now Sconchin Is some
thing of a hitter in modest way himself,
but when he ran against Smith his courage,
like that OF Bob Acres. ooZed out Of the
palms Of his hands. and he concluded his
wlSest policy was to seek a compromise.
Accordingly he hunted up policeman, and
going to Smith he began his explanation. In
tie meantime the policeman kept ia posi-
usn to prevent a collision.
II understand" said Maloney "that II
has been charged, sir. that have gone out
OF my way to abuse you, and 1 wish to as
sert. with all due emphasis, that il is un-
true My feelings toward you, Mr.. Smith,
have always been of the most kindly nature.
and defy any man to state the contrary In
my presence"
Smith looked down at the speaker In
.con'empta0us way. and replied: "Who
cares anything about you or what you say.
you c0nioanded little whipper-snapper?
III tell you right now though, that If you
had not made this explanation i intended
to cut your leg off with Ratchet. and if l
ever hear OF You again I'll do it sure"
That is very kim of you, Mr.. Smith.
very kind indeed. but you'll excuse me.
please. To cut III my leg would have been
very generous, for then / could have stood
on the corner of Market and Geary streets
and ground out living with a hand-orgar
As II is, must rustic for my daily bread"
SAW THE GUN AND FLED.
Once down on Third street Smith got into
poker game, and. as usual, he began at an
early stage Of proceedings TO introduce his
fancy work. Across the table sat a small
man with determined jaw, who was evil
IDENTIFY displeased. At last the little man
dragged a huge revolver from his pocket.
and depositing ii on the table with scowi
said: See here, boys, this thing has gone
about far enough. Ii may seem funny to
you fellows, but III tell you right now that
ii don't go. There may be bigger men than
me in this game, but if there is to be any
stealing III blow somebody into kingdom
come unless Pm in on it,"
Smith glanced at the gun, took long.
earnest look al the speaker. and excused
himself, saying that he was going out in
the barr0Om for a drink.
lie failed TO return, aud the game went
on without further interruption.
In the Baldwin Hotel Smith got bolster
Gus one night. and Captain Dunleayy of the
police force attempted to suppress him. A
row ensued and Dunleavy took shot at
Smith. without effect. Smith became iu-
furiated and started to take the pistol away
from the policeman, when he was stopped
and bloodshed arerted.
KNOCKED OVER THE ROPES.
On one OF his tours about the State Smith
drifted to Los Angeles, and while there a
sparring match was arranged between
shorty" Rodgers and q ciirus-belt slogger.
AT the last moment the southern man failed