The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-24
AFRICAN BOXERS,
Dark Continent Said TO Be Full q
Peter Jacksons, and They
Will Be Imported.

A queer story was told me the other
DAY which carries a full line of novelty.
II, perhaps, trifle shy on other things.
IL mas not reached print before, writes
Joe Donovan, of Chicago.
10 begin at the opening, a few years
ago, when Johannesburg, South Africa.
became something of a city from the
gold and diamond mining industries.
glove lighting drifted in from various
parts of the world, particularly from
Australia, and, doing well, there has
been gradually growing colony of
them ever since. 1t was in this part
of the world some years since that
Woolf, Bendoff and Jack Couper
battled for a side bet of $22,5OO, the
biggest stake of the sort ever recorded.
and in which the late Barney Barnato
is said to have been interested.
johannesburg is shining mark that
attracts many of the untutored blacks
of the wild surroundings for a taste of
the white mans sweets of enlighten-
ment and boxing was one of the things
they absorbed. Being naturally imita-
tive and highly elated at witnessing
civilized gladiators cuff each other with
padded gloves the stalwart sons of
they Witnessed in the arena at Johan-
nesburg. A little leaven leavens the
whole. The black apostles, when they
hlled up trctted gallantly into the
Veldts and jungles, spreading the glad
tidings right and left. Every mans
props were up against every man.
Within the last half dozen years, It
Is said, the fad has progressed to an
extent that many obscure African viii
lagos have their champions. Kaffirs,
1iGttentots, Zulus ond others have
been much impressed with the soporific
swat, preferring the fat boxing glove
OF commerce to any other article. Jo-
hannesburg has been taxed to supply
the demand, while Marquis of Queens
berry laws have been translated into
many African dialects.
Knowing the success of the colored
exponent of the glove in England and
this country several Englishmen and
others at johannesburg 1t is said are
contemplating forming a company,
with the purpose of visiting the most
stalwart tribes and there making Sc
lections of the best fighting material,
the same to be brought to England and
America to be sent against men. 1t is
| argued that there are many Peter
Jacksons, Joe Walcotts and George
Dixons waiting to be put under man
agement and that all it wants is a keen
| and critical eye and a judge of fighter
to pick them out and reap the har-
vests of Klondike.
One of the drawbacks to having a
| good man in this country. it is freely
acknowledged by all who have tried it,
| is the liability of losing him through
the influence of some hungry manager
who is short in his stable, but these
| schemerS are to guard against any
thing of that sort in an ingenious and
natural manner. They will not allow
their champions to learn English, which
will keep them comparatively safe
from wiles of the managerial craft.
In addition to the Chariot races, Ro-
man, Hurdle and Running races by
Miss Myrtle Peek and others every day
and the amateur bicycle race on We'd
nesday, the following trotting and pac-
| ing events are scheduled:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20.
2.29 Class. ..'..........'. ...1ufse SloO.OL
300 Glass. s........,...... Purse $lOO.oC
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 80.
224 Glass. Purse $4,000
237 Glass. ............. Purse $4,000
FRIDAY, OCTOBER /.
| 24E Glass. Purse 500. OF
219 Glass. s................,..Pu Purse $200.0C
Every class will fill and great racing
will result. A professional judge has
| been secured,
Luzerne electric cars will connect, al
Luzerne, for Dallas every hour during
the Dallas Fair. Special rates-the
| lowest ever offered.
Trains on D., L. e. w. will meet al
Beunetts with electric cars for Dallas.
The Lehight Valley will run a specia
excursion train, leaving Wilkes Barre
at 1880, returning leave Dallas at p
m. Fare for round trip, 32 cents. ~