The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-09-16
STORIES OF JOHN L.

faithful young man named William Co
hen. Cohen had number Of trying
experiences while with the ex-cham-
bion which have never found their way
into print Sullivan was very fond Of
Cohen and the latter had more influence
over John l. than any other person in
the world. When the big pugilist had
dined too we'll and was in a belligcrent
mood he permitted Cohen TO humor and
soothe him and place him in bed
Sullivan was fond Of making believe
20 himself AZ times that Cohen was his
son. This delusion got Cohen into peck
of trouble. but he managed TO extricate
himself with flying colors.
One day in a western town. where Sui
liyan was playing a one night stand with
his theatrical company. Cohen visited a
local store 20 purchase some things for
the big fighter Sullivan had previously
shown IN the town and the valet was
known 20 the proprietor. who had met
John when the pugilist was In his jolli-
est moods II was I'm these occasions that
Sullivan invariably introduced Cohen as
his son.
As Cohen was about 20 depart the pro-
prietor asked Cohen if ne really was Sui
livan's son. The valet nodded an assent
The proprietor looked him over and re-
peated the question. and again Cohen re-
piled in the affirmative. The man was
still skeptical and shook his head
WAL he said. IN a drawling sort Of
way. cycling Cohen closely and shaking
his head as he spoke. 'yeou doan't look
like him. yeou doan't"
Cohen repressed a smile and said that
he could not help It If the resemblance
was lacking Whereupon the proprietor
continued:
Sullivan be no Jew, be ne? l allus
thought he wuz an Irishman. an If yeou
be his son. yeou be the funniest loOkin'
lad l everseen." Then. after a pause. the
man resumed: III yeou be his son sup
pose yeou can fight Iwuz a good fightin'
critter in my time. an If yeou kin lick nc
yoOu be all right. an IN blieye yeou be
his son"
Saying this he squared himself in true
fistic style and made a pass for Cohen.
The valet. though small. is strong and
wiry and knows how 10 box. AS soon as
the man held up bis hands he drove the
left into tho stomach and sent over the
right on the Jaw and put the proprietor
flat on his back. When the latter recov-
cred his. muddled faculties he was salts
fed that Cohen had inherited HIS mighty
fathers pugilistic prowess and said that
he was sorry that he had ever doubted
the relationship between them.
Cohen told the New York Sun reporter
how In defending John l. reputation in
a Pennsylvania town ne came near
spending a month in jail.
Sullivan" said Cohen. was taking
things easy, and when l had nothing to
do / took a stroll around town to see a
few friends knew. happened In a ho-
tel near the depot and sat down at a ia
bic with my friends A few miners came
into the place and they began TO talk
about different pugilists. Sullivan's
name was mentioned and rather In a dis
paraging way. One OF the miners said
that John L. was a has been and never
could fight at all He was so nasty in
his talk that could not help butting in
and demanded an explanation. told him
who was and added that a man who
held the championship of the world as
long as he did was no dub. The miner
got fresh and we got into fight Well. I
got done up bit. but before We finished
had the miner down and out In fact.
he was in such bad way that they had
me pinched.
Il Immediately notified Sullivan Of my
predicament, and before learning the
circumstances he came TO the Jail. He
wanted to get me out, but the authorities
would not accept any bail. II looked as
If I would have 20 stay there a month
when the chief OF police came TO my res
cue. He wanted TO know what the trou-
bic was. When informed. he told them 20
release me. which they did after fixing
my bail at 5000. The next day was
fined $50 and allowed to go free. That
same night the chief Of police called on
Sullivan and handed the big fellow a
sealed envelope and told John not to
open II until we left town. When Sulll-
van did he found that the envelope con-
tained the amount Of my fine.
Sullivan used to be pestered with a
lot OF fakirs on the road who wanted to
touch him all the time. John gave up
like sailor, but Il made me disgusted to
see how those guys used TO blk him.
Once a man who said he was an old sol
der approached Sullivan with a hard
luck story, and John promptly forked
over $50. The supposed soldier. who
was a fake. and who was a professional
touch. gloated over his success That
same night found him IN a saloon
shooting dice with the coin he got from
Sullivan. I butted into the game and
beat him out Of 500. including Johns
fifty. After had won the money told
him who was. Then exposed him to
the crowd. who pOunced on him and
gave him the worst beating man ever
received. Then returned the money TO
Sullivan. who burned 1t up buying wine
Tor another bunch OF maces.
Sullivan was the luckiest fellow In
the world to recover lost property. He
was careless with his clothes and would
often leave his overcoat around. One day
someone pinched the coat. for which be
had paid 500 IN New York. II was a cold
night. end az we were to leave town the
following day notified the police. About
two hours later they restored sulliyan's
coat could not account for the coats
quick recovery and started an investiga-
ton
Il found that the garment had been
found about five miles from the place
where Il was stolen. The chap who took
Il tried 10 dispose Of II. but after several
attempts failed 10 sell II. because II had
Sullivan's name on the hanger. The coat
was found. so / was told. In an ash bar
rel. Had It belonged to any other person,
It's a cinch Il would never have been re-