The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-10-15
HOW THEY END THEIR DAYS.
DI.CAYED FJGILIsTs' LIVES WHEN
THEN FoRsAkE RING.

Dramatic Opportunities Have Giv-
en- some Livelihood - sportlnE
Pursuits Generally Retain HoId
ON the Vast Majority.
From the New YORK. Tribune
Prize hghting never took high rank as
an amusement Tor refined people ana the
manly ort" as cxmpllhcd In the prize
ring has always been looked upon as a
icbaslnE spectacle. But despite their hru-
raj Characteristic prize fights have been
ratronized 20 some extent by men who
were neither rufhans nor fighters, who
excused themselves Tor countenancing the
contests by SAYING that the sport was
scientific Rims contests with bare kuuc-
kles became popular In EuEland more than
Two centuries ago. and men with amhi-
lions 20 excel in the hoped ring gave cx-
hihitions Of their knowledge Of tho art
Of sclf-defense IN the early days OF the
republic. hut Il was not until early IN tho
.as that the sporting element % the
country became deeply interested in rims
lights. Tom Hyer. Tom Savers. John G
Heeuan Barney Aaron. John Morrissey
and host Of other fighters appeared ia
the prize ring
They became popular heroes with
part % the community. and In the far
West. particularly California. they were
lionlzcd Hats. collars ana other articles
Of mems wearing apparel were named
Tor them Heeuan hats and Sayers collars
were popular at the time when these two
pugilists were asplrants FOR the cham
plonship. ana a cane made 90 initiate
Irish blackthorn was known as e McCool
shcllelah
Fighting Ia early DAYS.
The nxhts in those days took place Tor
the most part In the open air The ring
side was the turf and at large Nights
rude benches were put up 20 ascommo-
date the people who came from near and
far 20 witness the contests
There Was less scientific fighting In
those days said an old man who had
been o nEhtcr himself and who 10 sull an
enthusiast but there was more fun for
those who look on-not quite 80 much.
though for the hghterv"
H. the early DAYS 81 the prize ring the
fighters ambition was 90 win prizes and
then bsc0me the proprietor Of public
house. John Morriesey's harrcom In Troy
was the congregating place Tor long
time o. the nghtiug element Of the country
and favorite resort Tor gamblers and dis
FtbNtnuiH people OF All klN0H Inc pace
WAS small AMI unattractive. but u was
the ambition Of other lighters 20 have
Just such q pace. Men who we're lower
down Ia the profession ana could not as
pire tos spublic houses became trainers
teachers OF boxing and wrestling and
many members Of tho fraternity who we're
unable 10 attract SUFFICIENT attention we're
compelled TO work like ordinary mortais
IN shops and factories The stage had no
40
days OF the sport IN the United States
When John G. Heenan was al the height
OF his glory, young. handsome and crown
81 with the prize ring laurels. he married
an actress who had Enined nogoriely by
appearing IN spectacular plays. He was
induced by his wife and her friends 10
appear on the stage IN q part written Tor
him. but he was melancholy failure ~
an actor and retired from the calling after
brief and thankless career Hin old ad-
versary. John MorriEsey developed an am.
hiton in the direction o. politics HE as
| sociates IN Troy and LanHiuFburEh belong
| "a 20 a class which IN later years made
Ed Murphy the loss Of Troy. and the
condition which they brought about made
bat" Shea possible
horrissey came 10 New York aud was
elected representative 10 the Fortieth and
Forsy-hfst Congresses where he was p1int
81 out az the prize-dghting memter RE
became the owner and manager Of several
political gambling houses and In 1877 took
his seat IN the New York state Senate
representing the fourth district ITS i'm
mediate predecessor was John Fox. VINO
succeeded William ". Tweed Morrisey
died In 1878. and since then no prize hght-
er has become prominent IN politics John
L. Sullivan wanted % 20 20 Congress ana
had hopes IN the direction % the chief
maglstracy of Boston. but his political
ambitions came 20 grief
For several years prize nFhtlng was I'm.
popular and puglists were not IN great
demand. but a revival came when Indoor
fights took the place Of the open-air con-
teste
THE stage prize ngh,' said follower
Of the sport. gave the big fellows a. idea
that they were actors Standing up in "A
ring IN a cellar. In a harm or on the green
was more business-like than doing the
trick on a stage flooded with lime light.
The fights in the big haHs and athlet e
clubs also gave rise 10 SPECULATION on the
part Of managers Who ever heard Of a
prize fighter having q manager or press
agent IN the Old days? Nowadays thev
require those stan officers nearly az mu-h
as they do q knowledge OF the art"
Drawing Cards ON the stage.
John l.. sullivan was the nrst proml-
nent fighter 90 make his appearance on
the theatrical stage after prize hghung
became popular and since that time tho
prize rims has been looked upon az a step
ping stone 10 the stage. and n seems to
be In the regular order Of things 10 sec a
pugllists name on a play bill soon after
he has won a ring victory. Tho public
house r. still his ambition. and mindful
% the drawing qualities OF well.known
fighter. rum sellers and brewers have
given prize fighters handsome salaries for
the privilege OF using their names in con
nection with rum shops o. the gaudly be-
decked kind.
Systematic frauds. which have been prac-
tlced on the sporting" public By the men
who arrange prize fights has done much
10 bring the profession into 40 repute even
with the men who were ~ enthusiastic
patrons. Men who we're looked upon ne
champions" were naturally drawing
cards at theaters where they appeared
but the fact that they simply played
part IN gigantic scheme 10 ROB the
people who paid 10 see square" ighfe
and that Victories and defeats were ar
ranged before hand have a tendency 10
diminish the prize fighter in the grogshop
business where he hourished IN the days
Of old
"Biny" Edwards who IN his dav gain
81 considerable ring fame. was for years
the "bouncer' in New York Hotel.
Barney" Aaron follows the races reg.
ulariy Mike" Donovan. who is known