The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-10

only during the last decade. when boxing
shows have been effectively discouraged
by the city and state authorities, may find
it hard to believe that: at one time Min
ncapolis was one OF the most famous, rem
devious for pugilists in the country-hf-
teen or twenty years ago Minneapolis
was quite famous i'll this, respect as
Now York before the repeal Of the Horton
law, or Chicago at the present time.~'Box-
ers from all parts of the country, some
of them champions. dozens Of top notchers
in their classes engaged in bouts here.
Two worlds championships have been
decided in Minnea polls. In 1891 Tommy
Ryan won the Welter weight title IN
bout with Danny Needham, in a fight
at the Twin City Athletic club on Hen
1.e pin avenue, the contest lasting seventy
six rounds. Three years before that Ike
Weir. the "'ripperary Spider" wrested
the featherweight championship from
Tommy aWrrer in 20-rounC bout at the
Washington rink. John l.. Sullivan then
champion and Charley Mitchell. OF Eng
land, both appeared here in bouts with
local men. and, it was during one OF these
bouts that Sullivan broke him arm in the
first round OF an eight round contest.
Donaidson's Ring Craft
4 In Minneapolis also. during the eighties.
existed boxing school taught by one OF
the best masters of ring craft the country
has ever secn-John Donaldson, who
taught James J. Corbett to fight. and
save the Californian the SCIENCE that later
enabled him to defeat Sullivan and gain
the champion ship of the world. Donald
son is believed by many to have been the
crgina tor of the sidestcp. now one OF the
first principles Of the game of slug. but
which was practically unknown a dozen
years ago. when the Sullivan system OF
hit and be hit was the ideal. ..,:s
To Donaldson instruction is largely
due the fame which Minneapolis fighters
acquired in the days when boxing; -four
isheG III this city. Donaldson and cRatsE
. Cardiff the latter hismelf fighter, OF con-
siderable local reputation. We're associated
ir the saloon and fight promoting business
and Donaldson was finacally interested in
practically every bout pulled off in Min
neapolis during several years. SUCH men
as Cardiff, George Harris (the Black
PearD "Baby'' Barnes, Harry McCrossen
big MaclD. Christy Murphy, Spike
Trainor. H. T.. Smith (the Omaha Giant),
Paddy Harrington, Patsy Melen, Profess
sor Charles F1addly. Dick Moore. John r.
Glow, Charles kcmmecl<. Billy Wilson,
Nerwin Thompson tThe Cleveland 'Fhun-
derbolt), Pat Killen, Oscar Gardner,
Johnny Van Heest. and Danny. Needham
were prominent figures in Minneapolis
during those days.
OF these, scarcely one remains in Min
neapois:> scarcely one is still in the ring.
Paddy Morton is dead; Cardiff; is po-
liceman in Portland, Oregon: the Omaha
Giant is in Montana; Baby Barnes Is
dead; Big Mack was shot in Spokane;
Christy Norton is on the vaudeville stage
.,rrainor is in Chicago; Paddy Harrington
is Dead Haddly is dead; Kemmeck died
in California from consumption; Fat XII
len is dead: Patsy Mellen is "dock-Wal-
loper' in West Superior; Dick Moore is
connected with a steamship line In Bos:
ton; John p. Glow, was shot in saloon
r fight in Denver. John Donaldson him:
self died in Ohio some years ago.. anc
George Lockhart. a noted referee OF those
p days, is dead. Most of them are forgot
ten save by the old-timers who knew
them while their fame endured, yet tina
fame was bright while 1t lasted.
: :. Blind Man Wins Bloody Fight
One of the bloodiest fights in ring his
tory, characterized as we'll by a most' re
markable exhibition of gameness, tool
place during the. eighties in the MldWa,
district between Minneapolis and st. Paul
The contestants were Patsy Mellen :ant
Z. Fred Weber, the latter a brother-l Law
of John S. Barnes, who was hlmseH
prominent figure in connection with box
ing in the twin cities in,these days: >
Neither man possessed much science
and. fighting with two-ounce gloves. bot
Z were frightfully battered and brulseo
Men who Witnessed the fight say that tn
ring literally flowed with blood Beior
the eleventh and final round both Mel
: lens ewes were swollen shut from the Ell
fects Of the terrible beating he had re
- ceiveG, but when his seconds wished t
d throw I'D the sponge he .vehemently. pro
tested and came to the scratch at til
sound of the bell.
Unable to see his adversary, he grope
, about the ring until instinct told hin
s. Webber was within reach, swung WILDLY
41,~ 1nt7r n6
right square on the point OF Weber
Jaw and put the latter down and out
Black Pearls Career
One of the best known. fighters and on
+ of the most amusing characters in tn
local ring at that time was Harris, tn
Black Pearl. who claimed the, middle
weight championship. Of the northWes
One of his chief claims to fame is tina
he STAYED four rounds with Fltzslmmo1
in a bout at the Pence Opera house
Nav, 1891, although it, was, not general
8 believed that Fitz tried to finish the loc
man. One of the great rivals of the Pea
was another colored middle-Weight know
as BLACK Frank'--few men now can r.
s8 member him by any other name. Biac
Frank and the Pearl fought four time
neither man getting q decision IN any OF
8 of the bouts. Dinny kellehar OF <Bostt
was another rival Of the Pearl, put q
q eastern man was defeated in both Of II
i contests in which the two engaged. -
Plug Hat and Pea Jacket.
s. 8a1,y~ Barnes was another grotesd,
n character. He was a negro, who stot
81 feet i inches in his bare feet. al
b weighed 3O6 pounds. He, wore every day
4 mug hat. which, adding asst did TO n
immense height, would have made MIN
most imposing spectacle, We're II not
the fact that he usually associated. WI
the hat a pea jacket. Big Mack was
most as large a man as Barnes, ana II w
q Il a popular proceeding in informal bou
u ~ II match one OF these two. against Chris
Murphy. ! The latter was a middlewele
bit beside Barnes and Mack he looked
nigmy. and a bout of this character, VIII
& not productive Of any thrilling fghtiI
: never failed to afford huge delight to t
s spectators Murphy, although a We
game man, never acquired any great n
stional reputation, nor did Spike 'Tralnt
e who was quite as well known for
IS pluck Two Of the really good men W
g got their start in Minneapolis, hoWev'
ss were John P. Glow, and Charlie, kemme
- Glow was recognized at one time +
northwestern and western champion. ]
ss defeated a number of good men, amo
81 them Merit Falley, a pug Of considerai
sa reputation at that time. and was neN
! defeated until he met Mike RConley.
Is .Ifhaca Giant at Ashland. Glow bel
3 at that time too weak physically to
himself Justice. kemmack was regart
Ms, a most promising man. but retired fr,
4 the ring before he achieved any grt
national fame.
!. kiHen and the Pearl Protected.
pat I<illen was one of the best known
the local men of that day. and had he p
sessed more grit, might have become