The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-31
PUGILISTS' FORMER TRADES.
owen ZeigIer BOiIermaker and
Tommy FeItz Newsboy.

Owen ZeiGIer BoiIermaker and
Tommy FeItz Newsboy.
The rapid rise of Young Corbett from
hanger-on in a Denver gambling
room to champion puglist has caus-
ed considerable discussion in boxing
circles. 1t is interesting to note that
many of the leading pugilists of the
day started in the business with an
uphill battle before them and re-
ceived many hard knocks before get
ting to the top, says the Cincinnati
Enquirer.
Corbett was one of them. He never
earned more than Sc a week until he
attracted attention from the athletic
club managers, and was fiat broke a
day or two before starting East to
meet McGovern. McGoVern himself
was poor newsboy when picked up
by Sam Harris, who made a cham
pion out of him.
Jeffries was earning SIS week in
California as a handy man in boiler
yard when Billy Delaney took hold
and made a fighter out of him. Bob
Fitzsimmons did not have more than
one suit Of clothes when he came to
this country from Australia, and Joe
Walcott, who is undoubtedly the
greatest colored fighter of the age,
was eating from free lunch counters
when Tom O'Rourke recognized his
fighting ability and soon had him
earning $1,000 a week giving exhibi-
tions.
Joe Cans was opening oysters at Sc
week at the time he made his first
big hit in pugilism. Philadelphia Jack
O'Brien now the heavyweight cham
pion of England, was tending to a ci-
gar stand at $4 a week before becom-
ing famous in the world of fistiana.
And so it was with all the other great
men.
Jim Corbett left a good position in
'F'rico bank to seek honors in the ring,
but there were very few like him.
Sharkey, Fitz, George Gardner, Tom
my Ryan. Frank Erne and many 9TH
er stars were all poor boys at the time
of starting out for fistic honors.
The following list, compiled as care
fully as possible, shows the trades or
professions followed by some of our
best-known fighters before becoming
professional pugilists:
Heavyweights-
James Observation-Disclosures
James J. Corbett-Bank clerk.
Robert ]. Blacksmith.
Gus Ruhlin-Pressman.
Peter Maher-Cooper.
Thomas j. Sharkey-Sailor.
Kid McCoy-Farmer.
Jim Jeffords-Miner.
Ed Dunkhorst-Horesho
Joe hoynskit-Candymak
Pete Everett-Miner.
Mike Conley-Engineer.
Denver Ed Martin-Porter.
Jim Hall-Plasterer.
Bob Armstrong;
Middleweights-
Tommy Ryan-Barkeeper.
philadelphia Jack" O'Brien-Cigar-
list.
Tommy West-Plumber.
Dan Observation-Disclosures.
Joe Walcott-Cabin boy.
George Gardner-Boilermake
Jack Root-Brickmason.
Kid Carter-Blacksmith.
Billy Stift-Blacksmith.
Marvin Hart-Plumber.
Charley McKeever-Engineer.
Jack Bonner-Miner.
Dick Observation-Disclosures
Tim Murphy-Mine worker.
Welterweights-
Rube Ferns-Miner.
Charley Burns-Canvasman
Billy Smith-Miner.
owen Observation-Disclosures
Charley Johnson-Steamfitter
Matty MathewS-Iron worker.
Jack Bennett-Steel worker.
Dutch misunderstanding clerk.
AL Neil-Miner.
Eddie Connolly-Hotelkeepe
Tommy Tracey-Blacksmith
Kid McPartland-Store
Mike Donovan-Bookbnde
Paddy Fenton-Farmer.
Patsy Sweeney-Teamster
Tom Couhig-Iron worker.
LightWeights-
Frank Erne-Pinboy. Ia
Joe Gans-Oyster handler.
Martin Duffy-Plumber.
Art Sims-Bartender.
George Boilermaker.
Tim Kearns-Salesman.
Kid Observation-Disclosures
Jack O'Brien-Clerk.
Jim Matchmaker.
Joe Leonard-Waiter.
, Gene Bezenah-Rolling mill helper.
Frank Henneke-Stonemason
Kid Ashe-Newsboy.
Emil Waiter.
Young Gibbs-Soapmaker.
Jack Burke-Salesman.
Jack Carrig-Waiter.
Ole Oleson-Painter.
Kid -McPartland-Ma Machinist,
Otto Seloff-Bartender
Kid Parker-Cafe owner.
Curly Supples-Clerk.
Barney Furey-Billposter.
Spike Sulivan-Salesman.
Gus -Boilermaker.
Jack Daly-EXpressman.
Willie tzgerald-Promoter.
Spider Kelly-Saloonkeep
Dial HawlSins--Clerk.
Featherweights-
Young Corbett-Laundrym
Terry McGovern-Newsb
Oscar Gardner-Furniture worker.
Eddie Gardner-Painter.
Dave Sullivan-Bellboy.
Tim Callahan-News dealer.
Kid Broad-Iron worker.
Eddy Lennte-Salesman.
Aurella Herrera-Newsboy.
Jack McClelland-Carpet weaver.
Billy Ryan--Waiter.
Benny YanRer-Typesetter
Joe Observation-Disclosures
Johnny Van Heest-Ore trimmer.
Solly smith-LiYeryman
Tommy White-Agent.
George photographer.
Johnny BurnB-Printer.
Gus Bezenah-Metal worker.
Jack Hamilton Moulder.
Eddie santry- y-Harnessmnker.
Patsy Haley Grocery clerk
Auatine Tcnmater.
Hugh MrPadden- News agent.
lMiy Gardner H0pperHmith.
d HU.TUlEr