The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-08-07
HONORED At HIS Old HONE
BIG RECEPTION TO SHARKEY IN
IRELAND.
Thousands Join in Demonstration
Superior to Those Given to States
men-The Whole Town Turned Out.

Tom Sharkey, the pugilst, who is
well known in Honolulu, was given a
reception on his arrival at Dundall<,
Ireland, his birthplace, that will be-
come a part of the history of County
Louth. The Conservative newspapers
of ireland gave columns to the event
and state that it was a greater dem
onstration than any given within the
recollection to prominent statesmen,
ard further. there was no doubt as
its spontaneity.
The Dundalk Herald of July Sd
says: Here was an exhibition of
public feeling which went to show
that the man who punches his fellow
man, or who has the courage to be
punched, is held in far higher estima-
ton, by the working class at least,
than the rantng spouters who appear
from time to time as political regen-
orators of their country-with their
oily, untruthful tongues
"A Prime Minister might envy the
reception Sharkey got in his native
town on Tuesday night. The word
went abroad during the day that he
was coming by the 7:15 o'clock train
from Newry, and approaching that
hour a continuous stream of men and
boys was flowing towards the station,
while along the road were numerous
representatives of the other sex. The
station approaches were crowded, and
a number of enthusiasts bought
tickets so as to be on the platform to
welcome the returning exile. AS the
train drew up to the station these
made a rush for the carriage from
which the pugilist made his exit; and
he stood fair chance of being torn
in small pieces by his demonstrative
admirers. Not in all his contests
with Fitzsimmons and Maher and
| Choynski and the rest did he receive
much rougher usage. Presently he
emerged from the press and came
along proudly escorted by j. Costing
and by his brothers and cheering
crowd. When he got to the station
door he met the same reception, only
that this time he had to fight his way
through hundreds of enthusiasts. BY
and by he got on car on which
mounted also his brothers. mother
and sisters. The Emmett Band, which
was in waiting, struck up "See, the
Conquering Hero" and the whole as
semblage got in motion. The excite
ment was tremendous. Men and boys
lined the way and sat on the walls
and fences and cheered themselves
hoarse. They tried to carry the pugil-
list, but his weight is not trifie, and
he induced them to let him ride on the
| car.
HE seemed delighted with his re-
! ception, and said modest word or
two of thanks to the crowd. Speaking
is not his forte. and he did not de-
tain the procession. Along the way
his tall hat and froclt coat and other
marks of prosperity and prominence
and they sit very well upon him,
attracted the admiring comment OF
the crowd. Sharlley's first visit was
to the scene of his birth-the snug
matched cottage in Hill street, where
he first saw the light, and where his
parents still reside. 1t was typical OF
the good fellow that this should be
the Mecca of his transatlantic journey
4 big carload of trunks went on to
Bullock's Hotel, but their owner spent
the first hour or two amidst the
scenes of his boyhood, talking to his
old neighbors, fighting his battles
over again and enjoying the sweets OF
home coming just like any big boy
fresh home from school. And was not
Hill street proud of him? 1t was
frantic. Tar barrels blazed on tbs
bridge and JOY overfowed the place
and frightened its most squalid re-
cesses. BY and by he went to visit
a married sister, Mrs. Lappin, at the
Quays, and everywhere along the
streets he received renewed ovations