The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-09
Has a Slight Accident
in Chicago.
Automobile Carrying Him Runs
Into a Building.
BOXER is SHAKEN UP.
Wants a Battle With Fitz if
Jeffries Refuses.
The Pugilist Will Expect to
Tour the Continent.

Chicago, Jan. 9.-Tom Sharkey, once a
sailor, would take an ocean voyage rather
than ride in an automobile. He says there
is less danger of becoming seasick- Like
wise he would rather face a vicious OPP
ponent in the prize ring. He says there
is less likelihood of sustaining injury.
Sharkey reached these two important
conclusions yesterday and this was why:
He was almost dumped out of an automo-
bile at Van Buren, and Dearborn streets
early in the morning and barely escaped
being hurled through a window in the
Old Colony building at that corner.
The sailor arrived at the Polk street
depot at o'clock. He came to this city
to appear for week at the Lyric theater
in conjunction with the fight pictures in
which he figures prominently with one
Jeffries. Tom knew the Sherman house
was at the other end of the downtown
district and he figured that an automo-
bile would carry him thither in all pos
sible haste. for he was hungry and want
ed a breakfast steak and mug OF ale
d. Pr PROMISRS A TIP TO DRIVER.
So Tom summoned an automobile. He
did it with the regulation Gotham aban-
Make it go fast and I'll fix it right
with you" yelled the sailor to the driver.
body. Down Dearborn street it plunged
like a meteor. Suddenly there came
lurch and a crash and before the paSsen-
ger had time to realize it he was look
ing into a cigar display in the Old Colony
building with his nose against the Win
Tom said things to the driver. called a
ed to the hotel clerk that those electric
trucks might run for Sweeney, but not
MAKES A SPEECH AT THE LYRIC.
With couple of hearty meals to ap-
peaSe his perturbation, Tom felt better
a lit little &c setto p With pe Jack McCoPmick The
house was paekeesd and the speetaet'92g tors
might have felt a bit piqued if he had
been there and heard the crowd yell
promptu dissertation on things in gen
eral declared:
Friends, you have seen the pictures.
They speak for themselves. Did win
or lose?'
The pugilist declares that it is his pres
with Jeffries. u that is impossible he is
willing to take on Fitzsimmons, and he
might listen to Mccoy If the terms were
But it is Jeffries that want to fight
I am going back to New York and viii
seek to arrange another night with him.
Have you severed your connection with
Tom O'Rourke?"
No don't want to say that. You see,
that I could get along very well without
having O'Rourke- back of me. and SO I
can. But when said it I didn't intend
it up and was offended
Sharkey talked of an extensive trip
around the world, which he will take If
he is unable to get on any fights. He
contemplates starting in about six weeks,
as he thinks he will know surely by the
expiration of that time whether Jeffries
or Fftzsimmons will accommodate him.
DETAILS OF FOREIGN TRIP.
'I will go first to Ireland" the sailor
declared, land will take a sparring part
ner with me We will tour that country,
England and Scotland, giving exhibitions
at all the prominent cities. Then we will
strike Paris at just about the right time.
After that either Australia or Africa will
be my destination. I haven't decided
which. The whole trip. I expect, will
consume about a year.
When Sharxey left the theater he was
greeted by the usual curious crowd of
men and boys, who followed in his wake
as he sauntered over to the Sherman
house. Sharkey, to all appearances, is
as big and strong as ever.