Waterbury Democrat., 1902-07-24
ABOUT AUSTIN RICE.
New London Pugilist Engages in Farming When Boxing is Dull.


 Farming When Boxing is Dull.
 Austin Rice of New London is sturdy New Englander, writes New ' London correspondent of the Hartford Times. Since 1894, when he put Billy isRice to sleep with a short arm punch fto the solar plexus, he has gained 1n popularity until to-day he is as well : known as any man who ever obeyed 1.-the rules of the Marquis of Queens 1 bury. It is a mistaken idea that the athlete who does not spend lot of money soon finds that he is in disfayor
 Austin Rice saves his money. He towns property, pays taxes, and when he isn't boxing he makes it point not to be idle. Austin is home-loy1ng man and while his sporting friends are following the races or Ioitering about cafes he gives bis spare time to his family, consisting of wife and little laboy. A prominent Elk was asked few days ago why Rice has so many followers.
 tT'n tell you" he answered. "He hasn't one mean trait of character. fHIis every act is above board" The same day the writer accom- ~xpanied by Bill Crowley, walked out to aiice's home. It is on the outskirts of the city near Waterford and the house eis pretty two and one-ha1f-story af- fair. The wide veranda is screened and there are several beds of foliage plants on the lawn. Inquiry revealed that Austin was knowing grass in the sceInetery, Ahree-quarters of mile np the road"
 aowing grass!'' exclaimed Crow 4ey. ssWelI. what do you think of that? Isn't that the limit? To think gthat the best 122-pound man in the business is having on'f."
 Rice was found on the seat of moving machine doing all sorts of stunts on rough and rocky field. As he hove in sight he was cutting grass Aoft bank that s1oped almostsas much sas the north and south turns of sfhe fIVe1odrome track in Hartford.
 Dismounting from the machine he 2 sidestepped to Bill and swung his right hand into friendly grasp.
 Austin, this is my friend Sweep Twain'' the pugiIist t'His right name 1s, but I am giving you his. nom- de-plume'
 t.Give- me his money instead" said Austin, with a true eye to business.
 Bill said that "Sweepstakes' hadn't had any money since the panic in the ,7Os.
 Austin looked anything but an ath- 1ete as he stood in the field. He wore a Charlie" hat. overalls and a striped shirt, well ventilated. His face had a healthy tan and his arms looked as Though they had been treated with an application of butternut juice Sus- pended from his watch chain was a loclSet containing the picture of his baby.
 q am 29 years old" said Austin. and am better and stronger than I ever was before Some say that I do not have the punch, but you can bet that no weak boxer can go twenty rounds and be better the longer he boxes That's the way with me-
 T had twenty-nine battles last year and I was not knocked down or out. That's a record to be proud of. This year 1 lost only one decision. and that was a six-round affair Some of the papers said that it was even up. I was a stranger in strange land, and that probably accounts for my getting the loser's end''
 Continuing Austin said he would be at the ringside at the Corbett-McGov- ern bout end that Charles Thompson, , his mana ger. would challenge the win per for him.