The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-31
ONE-EYED CONNOLLY.
ALMOST FORGOTTEN
Once Famous Follower Of the
Boxing Game Was a
'Queer One

Now that the boxing game is so much
in the public eye it seems strange. that
no one drops q tear to the memory
of "One-eyed' Connolly, America IS
most famous follower Of the game, who
died q few years ago. ..s.
Probably there is no parsonage bet
ter known in the world Of pugilism
than this same "One-eyed'' Connolly.
He was declared to be the champion
deadheads Of the world, by ANEW York
Sun writer years ago, and he earned the
title. Connolly saw every fight of i'm
portance in America, England and Aus
his life, and never paid cent to get
inside the gates. He beat his way all
over the world, picking up dollars or
pennies here and there. wherever there
was a "graft. His knowledge of
pugilism, his ready wit and his cast
iron nerve Were the principal reasons for
his success. It was a byword among the
fighting men that emo big event was
complete without the presence of Mr..
Connolly in the best seat in the house. y
Connolly was an English cockney and
his accent was peach. He exaggerated
1t on almost every occasion when pre-
s. sented: to strangers, tho. he could also
talk with the brogue of an Irishman
from Cork. He was pugilist himself
years ago anG lost an eye in a. contest
that lasted seventy-fve rounds. Whether
this is the truth or not is immaterial.
but the fact remains that Connolly had
but one real eye and in the left socket
he wore a glass optic that helped to
make him notorious. It was when SQUIRE
Arlington was here number of Years
ago that Connolly first came into pub
i i view: The squire, it will be renem-
Mitchell to help second Jim Hall in his
light at New Orleans with Bob Fitz.
simmons. The squire had money to burn
AMI was the prince Of good fellows in
the estimation Of the sports. -.
Bumped the Squire.
Mitchell and Arlington were drinking
toget her in the Hoffman house one NIGHT
shortly after their arrival, when queer
Looking fellow approached them. He
wore loud, loosely fitting clothes, flat
topped light derby, a red and white
5dt aaPp shirt, Am and his face was of
ITS this the Squirrel Arlington 3
ssThe same!'' Calculated Mitchell
"Wot yer want, eh9N H., -
Bar boy!' cried the, queer one to
the immaculate drink mixer, ga cold
o. pasket OF old Mr.. Mumm s best wine for
IN my good n, man." the squire put in,
Connolly! James Connolly!O was
Eyed because ee!' And the queer
one unlocked his left eyebal : and
rolled it around in the palm of his
hand Then followed a stream Of 1 nno
gnage that made the squire and Mitch.
ell roar with laughter. Connolly called
up some friends and the wine was soon
gone. ~. r ~
"Rar boy,' yelled cone Eyed..,'
filed to the bloody. brim!'' And The
immaculate barkeeper was buster than
ever before in his life. - :
Bring the best cigars in the bloom.
. ink house, .ye know!' was Connolly
next order, and there was a shower Of
perfectos. When the party had =.
sumed all the wine that was really e,,,d
for them, Gone Eyed gathered no =
pile of checks that had been accnmn.
Iat1ng In front of him and lifting his
hat, he said: ~ : = : :
Squire and gentlemen, / have =
bloomlnk engagement w;d an beiress
and | must hurry away! Ta' ia
A SPORT said the squire, .:and >
great spender! A Jolly good follow! =
Connolly had no sooner disappeared
around a screen than bellboys an
preached the squirrels table. lie Lande,
a sealed envelope to Abingdon which
/ was addressed as follows: