The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-04-22
souIsE ANHspon sAIse.
The Story Of His LffS Reads Like
q Fairy Tale.

Fairy Tale.
The st. Louis Star Sayings says tina
II Harry Weldon, the rotnnd, ruddy-vis
aged, we'll fed sporting editor of the Gin
cinnsti Enquirer had an income Of $500
per day be would be q second esquire
Abingdon. Harry took liking to tn
esquire" whom he met in New Orlean
during the pugllist carnival. and tn
esquire" rsciprocated. In style eyer,
bit as unpretentious as that of Mr.. Bard
Harry Weldon wrote as follows of thu
most noted patron of sports of Tecen
times, who recently died in New Orleans
"Of all the many celebrities of thu
sporting and shady world who gathered
at the big istic carnival at New Orleani
recently, none attracted more attention
than George Baird, better known by biz
racing name of Squire Abingdon.
"Pugllists from England and Austrsllis
and fighters from nearly every state in
the union, ranging in class from 'tip-top.
ers' down to 'chumps. elbowed and mixed
with representatives from the turf, bas<
ball field, cinder path and every walk Of
life. There was a sprinkling of actors
business men and some noted criminals
in the heterogeneous throng, but at any
time that highlands Sporting Squire hove
psight' all others sank into insigniacance
He was the center of attraction. Why
shouldn't he be7 A man with an income
of something over $4,000 day is a curl.
ostty anywhere. Two thousand dollars
every twenty four hours. Just think of
1t! Over dollar every minute! What
makes it more remarkable is the fact that
the Squire and his immediate followers
manage, from one sunrise to another, to
distribute every penny of this princely al
lowance in one way or another. Ancient
or modern pugilism never had such a
wealthy or Influential! patron as this
Cr@sus- like sportsman from the other side
!. Of the Atlantic.
sThe Squire was accompanied on this
trip by a secretary, q valet and Charlie
Mithell who fills the role of protege and
bodyguard. During the flstic carnival it
was my privilege to acquire more than
passing acquaintance with the Squire.
Like all other mortals, he had his faults,
but he was not without virtues. He was
q thoroughly good fellow, and there
wasn't the least bit Of spolbery in his
mental makeup. He didn't try to i'm
press anyone with the idea that he must
pay homage to his wealth. On the con-
trary, he was modest, both In his wearing
apparel and conversation. He didn't
wear one single article of jewerly. He
bad no watch, but he depended on one of
his companions to tell him the time of
day.
During his stay in New Orleans he
wore brown suit of clothes with a very
small check, and an Alpine hat. He was
about 80 years Of age, and was medium
in height and rather slightly built. His
face was good natured one, and he talked
with decided Cockuey accent dropping
his HIS and emphasizing his remarks with
the expressions sblooming' and bloody
of the Whitechapel vocabulary. The
Squire's secretary is a very intelligent
irishman, and was once newspaper man
in Dublin. His valet is an Englishman,
who has spent years of his life in Paris
and India. He is also very intelligent.
1t is popularity believed that the Squire
came oyer to America for the express pur-
pose of backing Charlie Mitchell to tight
Champion James J. Corbett.
""Thia vas one purpose of his visit, but
it was not the only one. The Squire
wanted to visit America, but he did not
care to come over without proper guide
and protector. Charlie Mitchell was fill {
ing that position, and st the price he was
paid for his services tue champion Eng
fish boxer had what is popularity known
in the sporting profession as q 'tapiocs.'
No fighter eyer had such q sinecure as
Mitchell had.
1.-THE Squire was q liberal employer,
and the terms under which Mitchell was
engaged are as follows: The Squire not G
only agreed to back him for $4,000 !
against Corbett, but just as soon as the +
Squire was safely landed in London again 4
the English boxer was to be paid SO, 900. i
He was to receive this sum for acting as il
bodyguard to his hacker. This is not b
all. The Squire paid every dollar of the t
expenses of the trip and gave Mitchell an a
allowance of $3.50 day for spending r
money. Mitchell could spend it or save it, il
Just as he might elect. 1t is unnecessary Fl
to say that the crafty Charlie was putting 4
some Of the pin money away 90 as to have
It IN the event of the coming of the pro-
verbal rainy day. 8
Mitchell, the secretary and valet, had :
carte blanche to order anything they de- !,
aiFed at any time of the day or night in :
me eating or drinking line and charge .
I to the Squire's room. During the car
'lval basket after basket of champagne =
md the best of game, fish and steaks
ound their way to the Squire's swell :
f,~>o