The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-07
SPORTING NEWS.
For Years Followers of Pugi-
lism Have Doubted 'Fitz Age.
ParsOn Davies, While in Eng
land, Gets Positive Proof.
WAS BORN MAY rs, 1868
p.4L uoo.d - a.. C<,:ah~,
Birth Record of the Cornishman
Copied from transcripts.
Father a Policeman and Moth
er's Maiden Name Strongman.

Cincinnati, Oct THE Enquirer
says For ten years the followers of
Australia have been anxious to know
the exact age of Bob Eitzsimlnons,
whom the sporting critics delight IN re-
ferring. to as the Grand Old Man of the
prize ring.
There have been thousands of argu-
ments on the subject, but it was not
until recently that. any light was shed
on the matter. 'ParsOn' Davies, while
in England, made it his business to dig
up the birth record of the lanky one
and for the first time a certified tran
script is herewith reproduced:
1t is Fitzsimons, with one m" IL you
please, and if you doubt it you assail the
Integrity of the records, and, also, of
highness, Edward VII, King of Eng
land and Emperor of India, for the dis
trict of Helston, in the County of Corn
wall, etc. etc, and much and more, and
plenty, and yet. besides.
Robert Fitzsimons (note that the mid
die initial, u, +" whatever that stands
for, is missing) broke in upon the peace
and quiet of Helston on May 26, 1868.
and therefore, was SO years and
months lacking "A hours, old, when he
faced James j. Jeffries on July % in
San Francisco.
Joe Goddard. who modestly admits
that he is AZ years old, VOWS that Fitz-
simonS is three years his senior. The
Cornishman has himself admitted to 81.
Billy Madden, who boxed with George
Siler almost that long ago, insists that
Fitzsimons will never again see his
forty-first birthday.
Sam Fitzpatrick, who has been hand
ling Australians and other boxers for
two decades, thinks that Fitzsimons
was 35 years old when he fought Jack
Dempsey. This was on January IA,
1891. The Police Gazette record, edited
by Sam Austin, gives the age of the
wonderful one as being based on
natal day of date June 4, 1852, at Els
son. Cornwall, England"
The document which now definitely
disposes of the much discussed matter.
was obtained last July by "Parson'
Charles E. Davies. The 'Parson'' was
one of party at a luncheon given IN
his honor at the National Sporting club
in London a few days after the corona
ton of King Edward.
The discussion, of course, turned upon
the boxers.
you ave ventured Sir Tatum fiddle
dewinks addressing the tParson, an
Hinglishman now over in your country
ing the everlasting inwards out of every
"Y1ou refer to Fitzsimmons, Sir Tatum?'
asked the ''Parson-'
lust so. SIR
Il win have to take issue with you on
| two points" returned the "ParSon. He
! is not an Englishman, nor Is he within 10
years of the age you credit him with
Granted. put in Sir Tatum. that he IS
backsiider and renowned his Hingiish
| hallegiance. Hi will wager you magnum
| that Fitzsimmons is 80 years of age.
The wager was made and the following
morning ''Parson' Davies and Charley
Mitchell went to the Somerset house, where
the records were brought out
The entry was soon found. The Par
SON. paid two shillings for the inquiry
| Fee two and six for the certificate and one
penny for the revenue stamp. Thus armed.
! Davies made for the National Sporting
club. produced the document, and then
slowed it away in his pocket
The only thing that worries me bit
is the signature of the registrar. I looked
at the thing, looked at the man, and then
started out to see how much of a guy
Mr.. Guy Guy was giving me. But that
| his name. and he has been in the service
! for is years. If there is anyone who
doubts the authenticity of the document
he can come up and if he proves it other
than genuine he can get $1,000 from me for
his trouble
His father was James Fitzslmmons ana
his mothers maiden name was Strongman.