The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-02
MAN WAS CURED OF WANTING
TO BE A FIGHTER.
BILLY HAWKINS DOES WORK
Old Pugilist Just Plays With the
Novice For a Time, Then
Easily Puts Him to
Sleep.


Finlen this morning when the subject
of prize fighters was brought up by
friend with whom he was talking. If
you do, try and forget it. I have been
there and 1 know just about how the
pugs deliver the goods. 1t was about
ten years ago that I got cured good and
plenty Of my desire to shine along side
Of Corbett and a few of the best OF
them. 1 was working in a foundry up
in Wisconsin and at odd times I used
to spar few rounds with the boys
about the plant and I thought I was
handy enough with my dukes to face al
most anyone of my weight for limited
number of rounds. The fellows that
were working around me were scarcely
in it with me and I was straining my
eyes looking for some one that could
really interest me.
while was doing this waiting Billy
Hawkins, man who, I understand,
used to be we'll known in ring circles
here in Montana, came into the town.
Even in those days Billy was growing
little old and by some was looked upon
as a man who had seen his best days.
Before he had been in the town long ne
heard of me and came around to see
me. He talked pleasantly and finally
wound by suggesting that we have a
little go and make little money. That
was just where wanted to come In and
I did not have much trouble in making
my arrangements. Billy's manager came
around to see me and we were not long
in fixing up a date for the mill.
II quit my job temporarily and went
into training for the event that
thought was to bring me to the front as
a fighter. All my friends gave me lot
of talk about how I was going to do
away with the professional gentleman
in about three rounds and I began to
swell up so that my clothes would
hardly fit me. I thought I was about
the only thing in town and was impa-
tient for the night to come when l
might get at my adversary.
FINALLY the night did come and was
there promptly to view the scene which
1 thought was to be the one of MY COM
ing glory. Billy came into the dressing
rooms as if he were preparing FOR the
most ordinary happening of his life and
I was inclined to sympathize with him
because he did not appreciate the things
that was expecting to do to him. was
proud when I walked out into the ring
and saw the large crowd of people as
sembled to see me do my work. l was
in prime condition and felt as if I could
meet a man twice my size. When the
mill was declared on and I walked out
to shake Billy's hand l noticed that he
was as cool as a man eating his lunch
and l wondered why he had SO much
confidence. During the first round l
showed the kind of stuff was made OF.
or thought I did, and when time was
called I was in prime condition and had
a little the best of the fight as far as 1t
had gone. I counted that the points
were in my favor at any rate. In the
second round Billy allowed me to 90
most of the aggressive work ana con-
tented himself with simply parrying my
thrusts and ducking out of my way. At
the end of the round l was still fresh
and confident. In the third round came
out as briskly as had stepped forward
when the contest began and made
lunee at Billy that would certainly have
done him some damage If had reached
him. I did not catch him, however, and
the next thing knew was seeing stars
in plenty and went down as If had
been struck with a shot. 1t was some
minutes before I came to and found
myself lying on the floor wondering
what had happened to me.
IT afterwards learned that Billy had
landed a swift blow on the tip of my
chin and sent me out quicker than l
can tell about it. 1t appeared that
Billy had decided to give me show
when he came into the ring. He did not
want to give me the worst of 1t right
from the start and SO allowed me 10
spar away until he was given the sign
to nut me out. I say given the sign for
I afterwards learned that friend of
his. a butcher who was among the spec
tators had told him that he would raise
his hand when he wanted the fight to
end. In the third round the finger Of
the butcher was raised and Billy ac-
knowledged the signal by putting me to
sleep and watching me while was be-
ing counted out.
"Billy Hawkins took all the conceit
out of me and have never had any de-
sire since my meeting with him to SHINE
in the ring. When I see young FELLOW
staggering around and telling how he
can do things to one of the old tands III
the ring always want to send mess
age to Billy and let him know that ne IS
wanted to get action on another Fellow
who has decided that he is too strong to
work, / was fortunate in meeting man
who understood his business in my first
battle. for If had happened to go up
against a fellow with less prowess than
Billy I might have defeated him and
lived a year or two before I found out
that was not cut out for prize fighter.
AS it was I got the full dose right at
the start and was we'll satisfied to go
back to the shop and attend to business
in the foundry. have never been IN
the ring since the eventful night faced
Billy and I never expect to go into one
again. I can make living with my
hands but I fear my payday would be
a long way off if I had to depend on
my fists for my daily bread"