Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-12
BILLY MADDEN,

ty to stand before him. success DrOuSnt
wealth and a life of luxury. His magnifi-
cent physique became loaded with adipose
tissue, and his powers began to wane.
When wasting fever took hold OF him, he
was brought to the very threshold of death
and was never the same man afterward.
In one short year he had aged 10. He is
now but 3d. yet he looks like a man past
middle life. He is not near so healthy,
hearty or enduring at the present time as
a score of the men he whipped.
Gallant Jack Dempsey, whom / helped
to make a champion, also feels the weight
of the crown which decks the victor's brow.
Jack, like the big fellow" is a princely
chap and was actually worshiped by the
sporting public. He lived like prince, and
nothing was too good for him or his friends
Jack paid the penalty too. He is not the
Nonpareil he was. He is but 80 now. yet
many of the men he defeated-some OF
them 10 years older than hinself-are far
more rugged and healthy than he is today.
A fit of sickness which would not serious
ly harm the men they conquered might
prove fatal to Sullivan or Dempsey.
1t is good fellowship" which kills sue
cessful fighters. The history of the ring
proves that. They cannot or else do not
possess the will power to reject the hospi-
table advances of their legion of admirers.
Tom Hyer died of consumption few years
after his memorable defeat of the renowned
Yankee Sullivan. Social habits proved too
much for him. John c. Heenan met the
same fate. Consumption carried him off
after he had led a gay life for the few years
following his historic draw with Tom
Sayers at Marlborough, England, where
Al. 1,1 A.
pionship.
His great rival, however, had preceded
him. Poor Savers died of a complication of
troubles--lungs, heart, liver and kidneys
soon after he entered the forties. The wine
cup proved too potent for him.
Jack Randall, the first Nonpareil, the
prototype of our own Jack Dempsey, who
was not afraid to face any man, big or lit
tie, met the same fate. Unlike Dempsey,
he retired in good season, met no gigantic
freaks" and remained unconquered. So
ciability, however, did for him what his OPP
ponents could not accomplish. IT laid him
low when he. was still young man. A
complication of physical disorders carried
him of. But why elaborate? The story of
almost all successful champions is the same.
They are genial, hearty, hail fellows well
Aii>ei ssA oACy uCAtSho AZ DCibk cOSioAAy AAo-A-
ored and extending social courtesies in re-
turn. Sad to relate, most Of them die bank
rupt. There are of course few exceptions
to this rule, and the present champion,
James J. Corbett, is one of them.
He is neither of = social turn nor princely
in his prodigality. say this not as a re-
proach, but rather as tribute to his good
sense. He does well to make hay while
the sun shines, and / give him credit for
his resolve, expressed Immediately after
his victory over Sullivan, that there was
lone fighter who would never 90 broke"
One case more in point about how socia-
bility kills fighters. and am done. Nat
Langham, the only man who ever defeated
Tom Savers for the championship of Eng
land, soon after his victory over that re-
nowned pugilist, opened public house."
rs they call a liquid emporium on the other
aide of the water. To avoid sociat excuses
he had one bottle Of soda and another Of
oure water placed alongside gin bottle be-
hind his bar Whenever an admirer would