The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-08-04
WHIPPED coRBETT.
Conductor Ruth Thrashed the Ex-
Champion.

Champion,
If 1t were known that there was a
man in Ansonia who had trounced
James j. Corbett, the fistic gladiator,
this man would undoubtedly be a
great attraction, for the conqueror of
"Pompadour jim must be, as is Fitz-
simmons, considered a wonderful man.
And yet during all of the recent years
that Corbett's name has been before
the public there has been man In An
sonia who on more than one occasion
gave Gentleman Jim" as good as he
sent, but the Ansonian is anxious to
admit that it was done before Corbett
became the fighter that he Is now.
The Ansonia man is Conductor
Thomas Ruth of the Berkshire divi-
sion, who from 1882 to 1887 lived on the
Pacific coast, spending most of that
time in California and Oregon. While
In California he was employed by Cor
belts father from March s, 1883, to Feb
ruary %, 1884, working in the livery
and hack stable that the Corbetts at
that time conducted.
1t was then Conductor Ruth learned
many interesting anecdotes regarding
the Corbetts but few of which have ap-
peared in print. There was then moth
ing remarka BILE about the Corbetts, they
being an ordinary family, though pleas
ant people and ones who commanded
the respect of their neighbours. No one
had ever heard then of James j. Cor
bett, the worlds ex-champion pugilist,
and no one predicted such a thing, as
the ex-champion was then youngster
sixteen years Of age. He spent consid-
cradle of his time about his fathers
stable, but not at work, as he had no
love for the livery business, and though
certain odd jobs were assigned him,
Jim was always found wanting, pre-
ferring to be off playing ball or at some
such sport.
Though but sixteen years of age then
he was strapping young fellow, and
quite an athlete. Conductor Ruth and
Jim were companions, the latter having
high regard for his fathers employee,
as Ruth loved sports as did Jim, and If
the pugilist engaged In any sport which
was forbidden by his family they would
never hear of it from the Ansonian.
Many things occurred which, If Ruth
had "squeeled," would have resulted in
Corbett getting good thrashing.
During the year that Ruth was there
Jim and he were thrown much togeth-
err and after the stables were closed at
night the two would, with the rest of
the family, prepare for bed only to &c
back to the stable again, where they
would take possession of the carriage
house and hang up bag from the
ceiling, which they would punch for
hours. Wrestling, too, was a great
sport for them and Ruth admits that
If he could do to Corbett just before his
fight with Fitz what he used to dc
some years ago, it would result in a
fortune for him. e
After being admitted into the Olym-
pic club Corbetts rise was remarkable
and his first fight of any consequence
when he fought Denver Ed Smith
some few years after, was the most In
teresting piece Of news that Conductor
Ruth ever heard.
Il always predicted" said Ruth
that if Corbett could ever reach the
heavyweight class he would be the
Champion and as. such he considers
him to-day.
The Ansonian has seen Corbett but
once since they parted in California
that being when Corbett appeared in
Derby with his company before the
fight with "Fitz." For fully a minute
he watched Conductor Ruth, who, with
his train crew, was engaged near the
Derby depot of the Berkshire division
The champion, for he was champion
then, came down the street accompa-
MED by his wife Every one made a
rush for the sidewalk to see the big fell
low, and in the crowd was the railroad
man. Every one had Hello JIM to
him and as he passed them all with a
smile and a nod his eye rested on Con-
ductor Ruth, who was waiting to see If
Jim would recognize him. So surprised
was the champion for a minute that
he could hardly believe what he saw
and then with spring he grasped the
Ansonian's hand and with How are
you, TOMB" was filed with emotion, the
recollections of the days when the two
had last met seemingly making the
champion boyish again. They had
quite a conversation for fully ten min
utes. during which time Corbett recall
ed to Tom the days in the barn when
Tom was the better man and this was
surprising to the crowd of listeners
who had no idea that the Ansonian ever
had on the gloves with the champion
of the world to say nothing of besting
him on several occasions.
Corbett jokingly asked the railroad
man that day if he thought they would
be evenly matched for bout, but Con-
ductor Ruth declined, feeling, it is pre-
sumed. that he would be content with
the honor that had already come his
way.-Ansonia Sentinel
RACE FOR QUEENS CUP.