The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-28
Latest Ne7us of Happenings in the World of Sports
WHEN GOOD FIGHTERS
LEAVE THE PRIZE RING
They Are Still Very Much Alive
and Many of Them Make Good
Business Men.
ERNE NOW SELLS FRUIT
Paddy Slavin Has a Gold Mine
and James ]. Jeffries Owns
Rich Oil Lands.
ERNE NOW SELLS FRUIT


NEW YORK. March 27-When a prize
fighter has outlived his usefulness in the
ring it is a mistake TO suppose that he is
only fit for the grave. There are other
fields OF endeavor open to him wherein he
can make money. il not earn glory.
Frank Erne. the former lightweight cham
pion of the world. is now a fruiterer, and
what is more, is making a success of the
venture. He intends 10 pursue the bust
ness for the remainder of his days. or at
least until he has acquired enough money
TO retire in comfort.
Erne is intelligent and a thorough bust
ness man. who understands the value of
dollar and who knows how to earn money
and keep IT, He took up pugilism for
what there was in il, and has saved the
bulk OF his profits.
Ever since Erne can remember his father
has been a dealer in fruit. 1t was the am
bition of the elder Erne that his son
should learn the business. but Frank was
too fond Of athletics. especially the prize
ring. Frank believed that he could make
more money exchanging blows with rivals.
and his calculations were not amiss.
But like every other fighter. he has had
which his father years ago had planned
for him. Erne sent the major share of his
earnings in the ring to his parents. with
the suggestion that the money be used to
purchase a large farm at Lewiston. Canada.
or which fruit could be raised. This was
done. and it is said that the farm is one
of the best for fruit raising in that part of
Canada.
RasfdeS Erue there are a nuuoher of other
pugilists who have retired from the game
10 the advantage of themselves. 1t is not
so long ago that the scrapping world was
surprised over an item in the newspapers
TO the effect that Paddy Slavin. the well
known Australian heavyweight fighter, had
disappeared.
But it was not long before it was discov-
cred that Slavin had gone to the Klondike.
where he has since remained and is of
the most prominent mining men in that
part of the country Slavin. before taking
he took up business which he knew some
thing about IL was not luck alone that aid
ed Slavin., but he was progressive and
steady and IL is said to-day he can easily
sign his check for $4,000.
George Godfrey. ''Old Chocolate the
negro heavyweight who came within
OF being the champion several years ago.
did not stick to fighting exclusively. God
frey. whose habits of the best, had
the knack of making money and engaged
In different lines of business. But he
best known as a window sash and blind ex-
pert. and when he died it was found that ne
had left a snug fortune, which he made
at both this business and fighting.
JEFFRIES AN OIL MAGNATE
It is said that Barney Barnato. the South
African diamond king. got his first bust
ness experience as a pugilist. A local boxer
who spent several years at Johannesburg
and who knew Barnato well. says that the
dead diamond king was a clever fighter and
that when in his prime he could easily have
held his own against anybody near his
weight.
jim Cooper. an English pugilist, who
fought Wolf Bendorf for a stake of SIS. coo,
the largest outside wager ever invested on
"A mill, after he retired from the ring be-
came diamond merchant Cooper made
lot of money.
Billy Edwards. one of the best light
weights that ever came to this country
from England, displayed excellent bust
ness acumen, specializing in Wall street,
and il is said that he has accumulated
enough money TO keep the wolf from the
door for some time.
few years ago Joe Choynski was en-
poyed in a large department store as
salesman of sporting goods. Choynsk dis
played such excellent abilities as a bust
ness man that when he left the department
store he received a position on the road
with n well-known Western tobacco firm
selling cigars.
Should defeat ever cross Jim Jeffriess
path the champion will not be compelled
to open a saloon give boxing instruc-
tons. Jeffries has keen eye to business.
and about two years ago when a PROPOSE
ton was made TO him by a friend of his
brothers To go into an oil boom scheme,
the boiler maker readily consented. JEFF
fries owns several acres of land near Los
Angeles, his home. and one day he dis
covered oil on 1t. He purchased machinery
10 develop the property, and il is said that
he has received an offer of 81. 900 for the
property from the Standard Oil Company
Terry McGovern is a successful turfman
and theatrical promoter. McGovern owns
number of good race horses and has
part interest in a number of well-paying
theatrical companies.
Harry Harris. of Chicago one of the best
and cleverest bantams in the country who
defeated Pedlar Palmer I'm England. is now
The assistant treasurer of the New Amster-
cam Theater, and soon expects to go on the
road as manager of a company.
Billy Elmer, of California, who reigned
conspicuously in the ring in 1896 and 1897
became actor after he quit boxing and
Is part owner of a well-esta bills he'd
physical culture academy.
Jack o Brien. of Philadelphia who is YER
satile far business ability is con-
cerned. has real-estate office in Philadel-
phia. and Gevotes a lot of his spare time
20 his calling when he is not lighting
Joe Goddard. the Barrier CHAMPION he
came a politician in Philadelphia after he
gave up the ring But Goddard's political
activity resulted i'm his death after being
shot in a political row at Gloucester. n. j.
not long ago
Ben Jordan. who is Il master plasterer
intends to open a shop of this kind when
Pc gives up lighting Jordan. when not ac-
tivy engaged in training for battle. labors
hard at his trade and always has on hand a
number of contracts to keep him busy.
Not long ago Spike" Sullivan sold whis-
Ky for Louisville firm. and il is said that
he intends to resume this calling again be-
fore long. Jack Root is a bricklayer by
trade, and has been able TO build his own
home near Chicago. Root says that when
he becomes too old to fight, he will go in
At,flI hsz on lar IL