Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1905-01-27

Biows-He Had as Much Fun a- a
Boy-Is a. 1.-the as nm Indian and
Can Hit Like LiGhtnins.
Mike Donovan. dean of boxers, got
home recently from Washington. where
he boxed with the president for an
hour every afternoon for four days,
says the New York World. II was the
first Of series OF bouts which are TO
continue for some days. Donovan talk
ed of his experience as follows:
1T was the first time I had boxed
with Mr.. Roosevelt since he was gov
ernor. II anybody tells you he's al
easy mark, don't believe IL. He knows
how 10 use his head too. never saw
a man pick up faster than he In those
four days.
I'VE boxed every afternoon from $50
until nearly half past u In his study. A
wrestling mat was placed Oh the floor
for us. but found II too thick. and We
used the regular carpet. The president
wore pair Of riding trousers, light
unLershirt and pair OF canvas shoes.
Don't mind hitting me. lie said
right at the start of. 1 want you TO
hit me as often as you can. and don't
mind how hard either We started Of
in good fashion, and every time we hit
each other he laughed good naturally.
1t was not any tapping. will tell you.
They were good, honest blows Of the
sort that you wouldn't run into know
ingly. We had seven ounce gloves. The
president took his part of it always
with laugh.
II never saw pleasanter man or one
who gets more enjoyment out Of Il
thing. He lad as much fun as boy,
and lie laughed and joked all the time.
He's a fighter aud knows how TO give
and take blows. He doesn't try TO
knock man out, but he does like to
know that lie has hit him.
'IIe kept me busy, and l was not
running into any Of his blows either.
Don't get the idea that / was there to
teach him-not by any means. He is
ooACi ubu tdh lltio Wv IL
with the best Of them In the clubs.
know few men who box regularly In
the athletic clubs who can worst him.
One day he had to rush away TO at
tend the diplomatic reception, where
he shook hands with over thousand
persons. He told me he would much
prefer to take his book and sit down
and read.
Every day while we boxed some one
came in and watched. His boy Theo-
doce was always there with his two
cousins. football players. and several
times men came in to talk with him on
business while he was boxing A man
from Texas came in to arrange about
his making a hunting trip to Texas di-
rectly after Inauguration. He said to
me- oh, how l wish it were here now.'
He is longing for the recreation and the
exercise in the open it will give him.
The life In Washington has made
him stout. and he Is not as well trained
as when he was governor. To keep
down the weight man must diet, and
IL 10 iiipossloie tOI tnt lTeSiucllt u Olet
himself and attend as many dinners as
he las to attend. He misses tremen,
dously his active exercise. But he Is
as 1.-the as an Indian yet, supple in
every joint, and he can hit like light
ming
Il have arranged to go down several
more times to box with him and to
give lessons to Theodore Junior. | gave
lessons to young Theodore every day.
He is now fine. strapping young boy,
seventeen years old, and weighs 135
pounds. | thought when | first gave
him lessons at Albany that he would
never be strong man, but he is devel-
oping and will be as tall as his father.
He Is fighter, too and good hitter.
| gave lessons to him and his two cous-
ins. "
IF had been an ambassador the
president could not have treated me
better He is magnificent man. an all
round man, who Is a good, honest fight
err. who has not vicious streak in him.
He doesn't enjoy the social strain he
has to 90 through. and know he
would love to escape it, but it goes with
the high office he holds, and he never
shirks anything-even a good honest
blow"