The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-04-29
John |. Given a Rousing Ovation and
Benefit Yesterday.
F|orham Queen Made Good Bid in Best
Race Of Day at Jamaica.

Not within the recollection Of the old.
est followers OF pugilism has the popu.
iarity OF an ex-champion been 30 fittina
and substantially attested as was that
Of the mighty John l.. Sullivan yester-
day afternoon In the Boston theatre.
Nealy 400 persons from far and near
braved the elements in order TO be pres
ent at the testtmontgf- 10 ths grand old
knight OF the ring. From Boston. the SUI
burbs. New York. and father came actors,
lighters Of past and present. men i'm the
higher scale Of business circles, and even
leaders In society, for all felt in way
duty bound to show their respects TO the
grun. outspoken. grsy-hsired old veteran
OF the ring.
For many years he was undisputed
champion Of the world. meeting and now
Ing down all comers. earning over 81. .O0o =
90 and spending II with reckless aban-
don that bespoke not only good fellow
ship, but big heart. And this. as much
as anything. made II necessary 10 have
the testimonial. and those responsible for
IT and the immense crowd that gathered
yesterday for the man in need are de-
serving of a word of praise.
more representative gathering OF
sporting men than was present at the
theatre yesterday has never ben seen In
Boston NOT only was IT testimonial
10 tho veteran. but also was II a meet
Ing OF men who in years past were the
leading lights OF tn esporting world. Men
VINO hgured In sporting events almost
daily. especially in boxing. and who have
not met I'm years. held reunions. Cham
pions OF nearly every class. who have
long since abandoned the ring for the
fttftt h.G y. .fxaA a,.1
old. donned the big mits and for John l..
boxed three rounds each.
Big Bob Fftzsimmons. the grand old
man Of the ring the present holder OF
the title OF light heavyweight cham
pion OF the world. was on hand 10 pay
his respects. In n speech that certain
-showed-the good feeling that exists
tween himself and Sullivan. Fitz brought
the house 70 IT'S feet. and evoked from
several thousands present a mighty chcer
for him and Sullivan. Tom Sharkey fol-
lowed on 10 the stage in green tights
and voiced the same sentiments as Fftz
And then the pair boxed three rounds.
which was the hit of the afternoon.
Charley Mitchell. whose battle with
Sullivan will never be forgotten on ac-
count Of its viciousness, but who now
has only the deepest OF good feeling for
Sullivan. was present as were also Jack
McAuliffe. Billy Frazer. Ike O'Neil Weir,
Sandy Ferguson, Denny Sullivan. Steve
O'Donnell Jack Haylin. Patsey Sheppard,
Donneny and a score OF others whose en-
trance 10 ring affairs are OF far later
years
A. fitting close 10 the afternoons
festivities John T.. was held for the
last Hardly had his name been men
toned by Captain Bill Daily before the
&0o persons let loose with a vim such
M " at
When the big fellow. wearing smoked
glasses. haring green string bow tie
and a colored shirt, hcbbled on TO the
stage each OF those present yelled as
though ne were trying to drown out his
nearest neigiibor. When the noise had
decreased sufficiently 20 allow his voice
10 be heard he thanked the gathering |
for what IL had done his strong bass
voice reaching every corner OF the inn
menee theatre. This he followed with |
nopologue. which was well receivS6 |
and at ITS conclusion none could possi- |
bly, doubt his popularity, Judging by the
noise made.
As result Of the testimonial John L. |
will receive about $1,000 which was taken |
In at the box office and in subscriptions, |
donated as follows: Joseph Flanagan, |
t1yO Frank DeHaas Robson OF the st. |
Louis National League baseball team. s3; |
Lawrence Mccarthy Of the Boston thea |
tre GO and John r.. Madden OF New |
York $50 In addition TO these. more |
money will be turned I'm TO Secretary |
Harry Farren. which will be donated |
by the Order OF Eagles. Part OF the |
money was given to Sullivan Immediate
ly after the performances yesterday az
terDoon and the rest will either be given
To hun outright or used i'm whatever man.
ner he may care TO name.
John I. Taylor Of the ResteH-AH'eri-
II, A,
OF the Philadelphia team have agreed
10 give TO the fund 20 per cent OF the
gross receipts OF the game on next
Monday between the two teams. Sulli-
van will be present at the game and
pitch the first ball