The San Francisco call., 1896-06-21
WHEN JOURNALISM
And PUGILISM WERE CLOSER
FRIENDS THAN NOW.

"Do you think Corbet. win knock out
Sharkey in four rounds?"
There isn't a newspaper man in this City
who has not been asked that ques ton so often
that he is heartily sick of answering it.
1t is especially so with those writers who
have from time to time been identified with
the sporting columns of the daily papers. for
they are the legitimate prey of the persistent
Mr.. Interrogation.
AS a matter of fact the newspaper writer
knows just as little anybody else in the
premises. He can make rough guess, and so
can his questioner, one being about as correct
as the other.
In the earlier days of the old California
Athletic CLUB, when pugilism forished in this
State almost to the exclusion of all other sports
the most desirable sporting editor was the one
who had the best knowledge of fighters and
fighting 1t made little difference what he
knew about any other branch in athletics,
fishing, cunning, cycling, racing and boating,
So long as he knew the difference between a
cross-counter and a half-Nelson, and knew just
where a knockout blow had to be app auded,
he was all right.
It was a select gathering of newspaper men
who witnessed the four-round go between DR..
James Stanton and poor Billy Hart, who died
in New York few months ago.
The contest came about in a rather odd way.
The newsgatherers and few artists and their
friends met every evening for dinner at z
o'clock in Feelings French restaurant then
on Merchant street. The place has long since
closed its doors.
DR.. Stanton, who was then Coroner, al Muir
ply, who is now secretary of the State Board
of Pilot Commissioners and who had not yet
earned fame as "Blinker' Murphy, and three
or four others, including Will Hart, were dis
cussing both canyasbacks and pugilism.
John L. Sullivan was at the zenith OF his
fame knocking out people in four-round bouts.
How he did it was the particular point at
issue.
stanton, who is quite an athlete, knew all
about it, and Hart, who also laid claims to be-
ing way up in matters pugilistic, soon found he
had ideas contrary 10 those the doctor was ad-
yancing. The debate became spirited, although
friendly, and some one suggested that argu-
ment be dropped and that the two gentlemen
proceed to illustrate their respective theories
one on the other.
Hart was willing but Stanton demurred
until goaded into it he declared he could put
Will asleep in four rounds or less or forfeit $40
worth of ducks for the next nights repast
That settled it. Hart promptly accepted, and
the meal was hurried through. The only
drawback was the choice of locality. 1t was
taken to the top story of the Morgue building
in Dunbar alley. 1t was dark night, nothing
very much was doing in the charnel-house,
and the empty room next TO the autopsy
chamber would be just the thing.
Putting for wind after climb of two flights
of stairs, their stomachs well balanced with
duck and other delicacies the two exponents
of pugilistic theories stripped to the waist
while a referee and timekeeper were being
chosen among the spectators. There were
other preliminaries. and then the two friends
went at it as if battling for their lives.
Hart heavier than Stanton, out less science t.
rushed matters, the doctor contenting hims eli
to remain on the defensive during the first
round When time was called Hart was very
much flushed and winded, while his opponent,
who had not as yet delivered single blow,
smiled contentedly.
"Time!" exclaimed the watch-holder, after
the regulation minutes rest
Hart bounded out of his chair and rushed
much as Sharkey didthe other night at Choyn-
ski. The doctor stopped him half way with
straight left-hander, and Will, recovering
after a moment of astonishment, rushed again.
stanton's right shot out and brought up with