The St. Louis Republic., 1903-04-06
EXTERIOR oF CHA Mp1oNs REST"

Tom Allen retired champion pugiliEt Of
the world died early yesterday morning
At the Baptist Hospital
As the proprietor Of The Champion :
Rost'' at No. ei5 Market street, Tom Allen
was known as the Champion and any
maj who dared call him the "ex-champion''
had him to settle with.
Allen was the only man IN the history
Of the ring during the time when no gloves
were used IN contests that lost the cham
, paonship and then regatned It.
He was defeated by JeTn Mace in ten
round go on May TO- 1910. and resainei the
belt on November 5. 1870. when he won
from Jem Gallagher in fourteen ROUNDS.
Tom Allen. while he had been one OF the
perhaps, received more notoriety in the
last few weeks than any time since he quit
nursed by a woman who claimed he was
to marry her after he recovered. She was
; vet to be divorced from her husband. Allen
still had a wife living in Birmingham. Eng
Aliens place OF Market street. which
years ago was given the the nam name Of -Ths ne
the Albion Social Club" is to-day one OF
the most notorious resorts in the city, not
II Is the resting place OF q large number OF
the ciey's unfortunates who have no means
with which to secure a place to rest
For years old Tom as his patrons were
wont to style him, personally conducted the
affairs Of the ''Champion's Rest HIS char
ecter1stic pose was to preside over the
piano and direct the concert which took
place nightly.
SIX weeks ago. when Allen took to his
bed. he was given the best of attention
When his condition became serious he was
removed TO the Baptist Hospital From
the time he was taken there until his death y
he was in a comatose condition, rarely II
ever recognizing anybody.
MADE NO WILL
According 10 his friends efforts to OBJ
tain from him a statement or to Induce him
90 make a viii are said to have been fruit
less.
After the champion was removed to the
hospital from his rooms over the saloon
ferview with him. Principally among these
was mis- daughter, Mrs. Mary Taylor, q
No. 3427 Clark avenue. She discredited the
report that her father was TO marry MS
nurse. Mrs. TilIie Hartgraven.
Mrs Taylor attempted to secure an IN
terview with her father, but this was de
was in no condition 10 receive visitors.
About the same time. ). W. l.. Gillespie ap-
peAred at the Rest and attempted TO take
possession, claiming he had been given a
bill of sale for the place by Allen
John Murphy, who has been one ot Al
lens faithful employees FOR many years.
knowing that the champion was uncon-
scious and in no condition 10 give a bill of
sale, declined TO surrender the place and
Following the Gillespie incident, it is
claimed, a safety deposit box. which
together with watch and chain. the latter
given the champion by an admiring friend
years ago, stolen.
Aliens body is at the undertaking es-
tablishment Of Thomas Wand. Litigation
over his estate probably will be instituted
before the funeral arrangements are COM
pieted, as his daughter, Mrs. Taylor. has
declared that she Will apply to the courts
to-day to secure protection for her fathers
property
CAREER OF PUGILIST.
Tom Allen was born at Birmingham.
any consequence was on April 20. 1SS0 when
he defeated a man by the name Of White,
IN England, In ten rounds. His longest
fight was fifty rounds with Bob Smith. June
g 1854 when he was defeated.
Allen fought eleven important fights IN
England. He came to America as the
champion OF England in 1853. On May 10. |
1870. he was beaten by Jem Mace for the
championship Of the world in a ten-round
contest but regained the title on Septem- ,
Der 3, 1873, when he defeated Nike MeCcol
tr seven rounds.
Allen fought several battles in which he !
was robbed either Of the money or the |
decision On two occasions the friends of
his adversaries broke into the ring and |
forced the champion to give in. the threat |
being made with revolvers and other
weapons
Adjoining the back bar OF the Rest is /
In England. 1t IS known as the Champion |
Boxing Cup OF England" Tne champion |
regarded the cup as the greatest treasure !
he possessed.
he defeated Charlie Davis for the cham
pionshfp OF England in five rounds. His /
last fight was on March 10, 1879. when he 4
defeated Jim Stewart in England, in fifteen I
Ho then came to America and locating