The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-04
M'GOVERN AND WIFE
BECOME REAL ACTORS
Seconded by Injured Gamblers
Wife, McGoverns Batter the
Muse to a Pulp.
SNAKES PLAY A PART

NEW YORK, Feb. 3.-Mrs. Terry Nc
Govern took a swing at the drama this
week. 1t was Mrs. McGovern's first offense.
Terry. her little husband, had already hit
the heavyweight melo a few jolts.
The ring was pitched in the New Star
Theater. The match between Mr.. and Mrs.
Terry was made by Sullivan. Harris &
Woods, and the trouble took place on The
Bowery After Dark
Mrs. McGovern was seconded by Minna
Phillips, who was cloaked-very much
cloaked-in the guise of Flora Morris. a
gamblers wife, and continually abused
woman; Joseph Howe. a Rough Rider;
Lee Beggs. in his store clothes, and Izzy
Cohen Harry Fields.)
Mr.. McGovern didn't have any seconds
in his corner. He, being a professional
actor as well as fighter, slugged this par
ticular drama all by himself.
When Joe Humphreys, the announcer,
rang up the curtain on the first round,
the theater was damned to the galleries
with much the same kind of a crowd.
barring the ladies, as one would find at q
glove fight.
Round This opened in a Bowery dive
and one Robert Morris, who in the articles
of agreement had sigued as a refined
gambler" had things pretty much his own
way for time. His way was TO make an
untoward dicker with a Chinaman for pos
session of his, Morris's, wife. This lady
was the principal second in Mrs. McGov-
ern's corner This was the much-abused
lady-that is, she was abused until Terry
began TO swing on the gambler, her hus-
band. which Terry did at intervals of
minute
This round ended in a mixup. in which
Mrs McGovern. in soubrette fighting cos
tune, uppercut with a pair of guns and
put down half dozen bad Cinnamon. the
refined gambler husband and a few lesser
Bowery villains for the curtain count.
This was Mrs. McGovern's round. Mr.
McGovern only got in the game once, when
he swatted lizzie Cohen, his pal. by mistake,
evidently thinking he was one OF the vii
lain Cinnamon.
Round 2-This was a street fight There
wasn't much damage done, the con-
testants did more singing than smuggling
In fact, from a pugilistic and heavy dra-
matte point of view, ii was very tame
round. There was none Of the natural
drama, everybody being particularly fond
of each other and good natured The ref
cree called time while Louise Dempsey, who
is the widow Of Jack Dempsey. at one time
the middleweight champion OF the world.
sang song. He evidently considered il
policy.
For the first time on the stage she showed
she was game and knew how TO use her
hands.
Round 3-There was plenty of action
in this session. There were no more songs
1t was fight from the bell. Terry, who had
evidently been sizing UP Mrs. Terry was
very much in evidence and handed out his
old-time bunch OF uppercuts and left
hooks. and every time he landed n China
man and the refined gambler were dropDed
Mr.. Gambler and the chief Chink tried TO
double-cross both the combatants Mr. and
Mrs. Mac. in this round, but. although they
used pretty nearly all the melodramatic
props known to the profession incIudjne
fire ladder and a few battleaxes. the double
cross was kinked up and put out of business
by few old-time swings from Terry ana "a
ladylike popgun in the hands of Mrs
Terry.
Round 4-This opened with a rush nv
the chief Chink and the refined gambler
backed by den Of snakes. For a time n
looked as If the combination was going To
count Mr.. and Mrs. Terry ont The,
hadn't counted on snakes Both stalled
Tor time, and conferred TO uhe best
methods TO pursue under the circumstances
but their quaudary was deepened when the
refined gambler dragged in his own child
who is also the child Of the much-abused
gamblers wife. and threatened to strange
the youngster.
This was new business
Terry rushed. Mrs. Terry forming a tan
dem behind him. but the gambler got away
with the TRICK ana did strange the child.
AS a concession 10 the ladies present he
strangled the child behind the scenes. This
was the last rush of the gambler and the
Chlnk. Terry spat on his hands. Mrs Terry
spat on hers, Jack Dempsey's widow did
likewise. and then the real thing came of
they rushed and mixed IL for keeps.
When the bunch came out OF the smoke
there was no more refined gambler. no more
chief Chink, no Cinnamon al all in sight
but Mr.. McGovern and Mrs. McGovern and
the widow Of the only Dempsey were alone
triumphant and bowling to the tumultuous
applause Of 4 delighted and satisfied au-
dience.
And thus ended the first appearance of
Mrs. McGoVern on the stage.