The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-27

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26.-The score at the ent
of the fifth day OF the bicycle race was:
Pugilist "Reformed" to Prohibitionist
I'm Jec.ure Here-His RecorJ

Joseph T. Hess, the reformed pugilist" pro-
hibition lecturer, arrived in the city yesterday
from Victoria, and il is probable that he win de-
liver a series Of lectures in this city. He is on
tour Of the continent, and will so from here to
California and then Eastward.
Under the name of John Brooks. Mr.. Hess was
for many years a great sport, and not only
owned number of saloons at various times,
but for years was prizefghter and pedestrian.
He reformed" suddenly In 1885, and has since
been making gospel prohibition" lectures all
over the country. Following is his version of
his sporting record:
Ny first contest of a public nature was in the
pedestrian competition in New, York, in which
John Hughes, 1.-THE leper," made 565 mics in
six days. Alter that was in many other fifty
and twenty-five mile pedestrian contests | was
the first man that spared Paddy Ryan after
Paddy WAS defeated by Sullivan. The contest
took place in the Academy OF Music in Milwau-
kee, on March 10, 1852. fought Martin SchWas-
ter in Milwaukee, and three months later met
John Ward, "the Gypsy Boy" and then sparred
Tom Elliott few months before Elliott was
shot dead in a Chicago saloon by Jerry Dunn
III all | was in fifteen prizehghts, coming out
victor nine times: and having one draw. For a
season or two l travelled with John Mcmahon,
the champion collar-and elbow wrestler OF the
world, and spared four exhibition rounds
every night with Dwyer. l was defeated
in wrestling contest in Troy, \. Y, BIZ Pat
Crowley. A little later won the championship
OF Indiana in wrestling match with Harry
Primrose. In Lincoln, Neb., | won a seventy
two-hour pedestrian go-as-yOu- ease race in
which there were thirty-three starters | hold a
medal Tor that contest and have numerous other
medals aud prizes, won III sparring, wrestling
and walking contests.
Although he has reformed" Mr. Hess il not
at all averse to talking of the eats he performed
in his unregeuerate days. He is maguiticeutly
built weighs 80 pounds, is five feet nine inches
high and has a powerful chest measuring forty
eight and one-half inches. Speaking of boxing,
he said:
consider boxing for exercise and for develop
ing the physical proportions the finest IN ng
man can practice. Il should be done however
along with club swinging and dUmb-beiI exar-
else. But | look upon the pr.zering with hor-
Tor, for no matter how good young man rnay
be nor how sober, the associations are bound to
pull him down and rob him OF all his good Quail
titles. The athletic clubs are not eleyatinc the
morals OF men and they wOuldGeve- Offer sucA
large sums OF money If they did not mako the
biggest part OF the Doodle
Mr.. Hess says he was converted in 1855 at a
largely attended prohibition meeting in
Rochester, y. y, conducted by p. 4. Burdck
He says il was predicted that he would .'oust'
in a short time, but ne intends TO stay by his
pledge UNTIL the liquor traffic is busted He
says that $4,000 persons have signed the pledge
81 his meeting, ana he IS consequently very
glad thar he gave up the saloon business and
pv,zaash:iug. He considers the liquor curse
the greatest cause OF the iaboring mems
troubles
NJ, Hess wife and three children, who are
nearly grown, live at Clarendon, y. y.