Waterbury Democrat., 1901-08-10
FIGHTS IND FIGHTERS
Story of Peter Jackson's Career
 As a Fighter

The Deceased Pugilist, the Only Man
 That Did Not Fear Sulllvan-Matty
 Matthews Knocked Out By a De
 tective- Harry Lemon Beats Red
 Connelly-Notes from the Ringside.
 The death of Peter Jackson, tine noted colored heavyweight pugilist, was much discussed by sports yeSter- day. Jackson's demise was for long time expected, but few were aware that it had occurred on July 23. Many experts of pugilism contend that Jack son was one of the greatest pugiiiSts that ever put on q glove. He was the only colOred fighter that had the temer- ity to challenge John l.. Sullivan for the championship when the latter held the title. When John l.. refused to make a match Jackson was in no wise disappointed.
 Jackson was born near Porto Rico. West Indies, July 5, 1861. Very little is known of his early life. But when he was Is year old his parents moved to Australia, where Peter became a sailor on a boat plying between the principal cities of the antipodes. He got tired of this and secured job as Watchman of several buildings at Syd- ney 1t was there that he made the acquaintance of Larry Foley, the for mer heavyweight champion of Aus tralia. The latter, who was running a boxing school at the time, evinced quite an interest in Jackson Foley eventually gave Peter some work to do in his gymnasium, and the colored pugilist finally gave up his job as Watchman. Jackson being big and strong, readily took to athletics. He took great delight in boxing, but ,.e was handy at rowing, running and punching the ball.
 Jackson began his career as pro- fessional fighter by meeting Jack Hayes, the result being four round draw. Peters performance pleased Foley so much that he at once en- gagged the big colored man as his as slstant. Jackson had many pupils who have since become noted in the prize ring, among them being starlight z Jim Hall and Bob Fitzsimmons. Fitz paid a high tribute to Peter when asked to meet him in this country by stating:
 ''He is the greatest fighter that ever breahted., He's the. daddy of them all, and for that reason l don't care to meet him."
 Jackson taught and developed Frank Slayin. Peter always was ayerse to meeting Slayin, and it was only by per suasion that Peter consented to face his quondam pupil at London before the National Sporting club on May 30. 1892, for a $10,000 purse This was one of the most sensational battles ever decided before this noted fistic institution. There was not dull mo- ment throughout the ten rounds, and Peter won by cleverness.
 After his mill with Hayes, Jackson defeated Mick Dooley. Hayes, for the second time, and Sam Britten. Jack son was stiff puncher and invariably knocked his men out He put Britten to sleep in twenty minutes. His repu- tation was built so quickly that Jack Burke, the Irish Boy" who after wards made quite splurge ill thls country, refused to meet Peter. In 1851 Jackson met with his first defeat. He tackled Bill Farnan at Melbourne on July 26 for $500 a, side, and ill q moment of carelessness was put to sleep in three rounds. They met again shortly afterward and the fray result ed in six round draw. In 1886 Jack son won the heavyweight champion ship. of Australia by whipping Tom Lees. The contest was for $1,000 a side and lasted thirty rounds.
 Jackson arrived at San Francisco in April, 1888. After spafring at a few theaterS with Con Riordan, now deal, Peter was matched to meet George Godfrey. The mill came off at tine California 4. c. on August 24, 1888. Jackson won in nineteen rounds. Big Joe McAuliffe was the Australians next victim. The two met before the same club for purse of $3,000 on De cember ? of the same year. McAu- life was knocked out ill twenty-four rounds. On April 26 the following year Jackson knocked out Patsy Cardiff in ten rounds. He then toured the coun- try under ''Parson' Dayies's manage ment and whipped every man who faced him.
 On August 21, 1889, Peter sailed for England. Between October and 13 Jackson whipped q number of men in three rounds at London. His memora- ble battle with Jem Smith for. the championship of England took place on November II, 1890, at the Pelican A. o., London. Jackson won in two rounds. He returned to America in 1890 and beat the following men: Jack Fallon, two rounds; Gus Lambert, four rounds; Dick Keating, one round, and Denver Ed Smith, five rounds. On July 26 he sailed for Australia, where he was matched to meet Joe Goddard at Melbourne on October 21. Jackson was to have stopped the Barrier Champion" in eight rounds, hut God dard surprised every one by nearly knocking Jackson out. The judges dis agreed and the referee called the bout q draw, although Goddard had the bet ter of 1t on points.
 Returning to America, Jackson was matched to fight Jim Corbett. They met at the California A. c. on May 21. 1891, for an $S,500 purse, of which S1.- 300 was to go to the loser. The mill was one of the most scientific encoun- ters seen on the Pacific coast, and at the end of the sixty-frst round the ref cree called it mo contest" Jackson weighed 204 pounds, while Corbett sealed only 16S pounds.
 On February 24, 1892, Jackson left for England, where he clashed with Slavin. He made his debut on the stage in 1893 as Uncle Tom in Uncle Toms Cabin" at Santa Rosa, Cal.
 After his match with Slavin Jackson became loose about his health. He drank great deal and was only a shadow of himself when he returned to America about four years ago. AL. though he was emaciated and weak he arranged a match with Jim Jeffries. who knocked him ol1t in thraa ro11udS