Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-02-11
GREAT PUoILIsrs DIG POOR.
Money Won and Lost by Many Noted
Fighters.

''"""S won and Lost by Many Noted
Fighters.
The recent purchase OF about $50
600 worth OF real estate by Champion
Jim Corbett and the statement that
he aSplrcS to be- the richest pugilist
IN the world, remind Us that many Of
she best lighters have come at last 10
poverty and violent deaths Few
pugiilStS, no matter what wealth
they may have accumulated in the
golden days of youth and tlStic SUI
premacy. ever have enough OF this
worlds goods TO render comfortable
their declining years John Nor
risSey OF America, and John Gully Of
England. were probably the most ia
nous pugllists OF their time, and in
after years acquired wealth and leg
lSlative honors Gully became a men,
Der of the English Parliament and
won fortune on the turf aud in spec
0lative enterprises. He lost the
greater part OF his gains however, in
the latter part of his life, and was
constantly haunted by the fear that
he would 'die in the workhouSe. |"
He was saved that untoward fate, and
patrons OF sport were highly gratlfed
In consequence. John Morrissey
picked up" to use asporting phrase,
more money than any gladiator who
ever lived, not excepting the re-
nowned John l.. sullivan of Boston,
Yet he died without a solitary silver
dollar to gllsten before tie expiring
light OF his eyes Atone time Nor
rissey was worth $4,000, 600 and con-
Quoted the greatest gambling houses
In America--one at No SIS Broad
way, New York, and one at Saratoga
! Spa The latter was world famous
as the Saratoga Club House His
wife, who once wore 5000, 000 worth
IF diamonds, is now working in Il Troy
collar factory and earns about 4 dol
lar day.
John G. Heenan, the conqueror Of
Tom Savers, the champion OF En-
| gland, for time rose to the crest OF
the wave but he ultimately sank be-
neath the pillows of poverty and de-
sDair. Sickness followed in the trail
Of poverty, and forgotten, forsaken,
and in need, Heenan died Of consump-
ton in Colorado BY strange coin
cidcnce his wife, the gifted but err
ratio Adam Isaacs Menken, the most
beautiful actress Of her day, died
shortly before her husband in the
most abject poverty, at Paris, France.
She was buried in Potter's Field.
Tom Hyer, Mike McCool, and Joe
Coburn, all champions Of America,
died without as much as shroud to
cover their bodies Subscriptions
were taken up by friends to ny
them. OF these two Coburn had at
one time the most money. Million
aire George Law was his friend and
hacker and gave him MANY Thousand
dollar note, besides placing" HIM in
advantageous business spots.
The history Of the English ring is
replete with even more heartbreaking
incidents. Bill Perry, the "Tiptor
Slasher," for many years champion
OF England, died in the poorhouse al
Vest Bromwich. Statfordshire.
Tom Savers, Perry's conqueror, and
John c. Heenan's subsequent oppo-
nent, died in great poverty at Cam
den town, near London. In his life
time he had squandered $50, 900. The
last Sl5, 900 he possessed, a purse
given him by his admirers after his
battle with Heenan, he lost by invest
ing in Il country circus.
Billy Edwards, once lightweight
champion of the world had at one
time $50 900. He made it in ''luckl
turns" in Wall street. The bulk o
it has gone back there Arthu
Chambers, Edwards great rival, a
one time could proudly point to al
SS5, 600 bank account. Now he il
"broke" The horses got it.
OF all the active pugilists bcfor
the public-CoI bett, Sullivan, Jack
son, Goddard, Choynski, Maher
Mitchell, Slayin, McAuliffe, Griffn
Dixon, FitzsimmOns, and Hall--bu
three have money. These are Cor
bett Mitchell, and Fitzsimmons
This is a thrifty trio. They "hold tn,
coin" They let their admirers spent
IT. Every dollar these cue gentle
man pa uro ramaIug prieounr