Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-10
BAD JIMMY" PASSES OUT.
He Dies Peacefully at His Home of Linger-
ing Consumption.

Grad Jimmy" as he was known to local
fame, James w. Connorton, as he was
christened, died at his home, 14S Seminary
avenue Of consumption last night says
recent number of the Chicago Times
He was born in Chicago, and was the
son of drayman who was we'll known
about the business streets prior TO the Dig
fire of 1871. bad Jimmy's" peaceful de-
mise belisd the oft-repeated prophecy that
he would die with his boots on. He was
handy with the gun" and had number
of desperate fights with that weapon, the
most famous being that with Doe or
"RIlp Hagserty, another bad man, VINO
ike Connorton, was q gambler. The nsht
occurred about three years ago in NC
Garigle's saloon on Clark street. Connor-
ton had attacked Haggerty In the col
umns of a weekly publication. and ~hen
the men met In McGarigle's guns were
pulled and duel took place. Both men
were badly wounded Haggerty died OF
his wounds in the Presbyterian Hospital.
and IL was several weeks before Conn.,
ton was well enough to stand trial cr
the killing OF Haggerty The trial result
ed I'm his acquittal and he returned to his
old haunts and courses.
Connorton was one of the best bar
room fighters that Chicago ever boosted.
Sherman Thurston and BLACK JACK
fourished before his time, but he was in
their class People who knew him best
will say that he was not a quaTelsome
fellow, but knowing that his lease 1ot life
was limited he was frequently actuated
by desire to make things lively while
he lasted. and did not mind taking despe-
rate chances.
QUICK AS A RATTLESNAKE.
Although he generally carried a can
non OF generous calibre, his favorlte
weapon was table knife, which he
welded as deftly as a negro desperate
does a razor, but In royal salute OF
beer-glasses or passage with billiard
cues he was equally hardy. What he
lacked in physical strength was more
than compensated for by quickne5s OF
thought eye and arm.
He could get in under chair upllftec
to crush him and bury a knife In th'
abdomen, or his teeth In the neck OF the
man that would crush him before th'
chair would have time to descend. III
never made any unnecessary words; N
never telegraphed that he was coming
He could size up a situation as quickl,
as a dry plate takes an impression, anc
II the odds were against him he woulS
he meek as n UlOuSc-duu wall ~
would back away from clenched ifs
until he got within reach Of a hammer Of
a bottle. and the fight generally ended
right there
connorton's reputation as a bad mai
was made years before his memorable
duel with DOC" Haggerty. which wa
fought September 20, 1850. For three years
preyious to that ne had been lying low,
and attending strictly to business. LAX
hIs brother John, a staid and sone
businessman, he was an expert In adver
Using, a prolific inventor OF ADVERTISING
schemes. and. In the parlance or TN
craft a tireless hustler"
MADE DOLLARS RAPIDLY.
He made money fast, and. although n
drank freely. gambled. and conducte,
himself rather speedily. he always too'
care of his folks and lived w'thin M
income. ,,.,
Vie was not tough In the ordinar,
acceutance OF the term. He had ma
,,,ral respect for the law OF meum an'
tm,r,,. II ne had little for physical whoie
ness. In makeup he was qufet ana TASTY
I'm manner prspossessing, ana IN speec'
n,easing and correct. Meeting him IN M
h,.a,ness rounds one could not imaeih
Mn, the desperate character he was whei
out ON the rampage. -, ,,,,
w Var two years preceding his tronpi
WITH Hssgwsy sJiRwys psme ss'aon