The Washington herald., 1908-03-15

Squared CircIe-Amusing Incidents.
1t isn't always an easy task to referee
a glove fight
Unless an official knows the rules. pos
sesses courage and fairness. and is honest
he cannot hope to succeed. The old
time referees of the prize ring were gen.
orally selected for their pluck and square
ness.
Their decisions were, as a rule, respect
ed. and they seldom received pay for
their services. although they often took
their lives in their hands Many Of them
had 10 face the worst mobs in the coun-
try. composed Of lawless thugs. crooks.
and desperadoes. who attended the fights
pulled of in the backwoods OF in Sc
cluded barns.
II was often the case that they saw
murder done at the ringslde during the
progress OF the mills but this was a mere
incident in the Old-time fighting days
Many a square referee was nearly beat
en- to death, too, because he had rendered
manifestly just decision To-day IL is
another story, for referees are usually
protected by club officials and the police
at the ringside
Al Smith, the veteran sporting man of
New York. who stin enjoys rugged health.
is one of the best living types Of the old
time referee. He has always been on the
level, and never rendered a questionable
decision.
There We're times when he had a good
bet on the result of battle. which at
the last moment he was forced to referee,
yet he decided his own money away
rather than have any one say that he
was not fair and aboveboard.
In 1880 Smith was selected to referee
the rough London rule battle between
John L. Sullivan and John Flood, which
took place on a barge anchored of Yonk-
ers
TOughs Aboard Barge.
There was a tough crowd aboard and
all Of these rowdies were for Flood. be-
cause he was a New Yorker. and had
gained many admirers, because of his
rough-and-tumble lscrapping about the
horse market on the East Side. This New
York gang declared before the mill that
Flood would win, either by fair or foU
means.
Sullivan at that time was unknown tC
New Workers. and had. as a result, very
few friends in this city. Among the lat
ter we're Billy Tracey, an old gunhghter
and several tough young men who were
on hand to see that the Boston fighter
got a square deal. in spite OF the fact thar
HE-er II
John l. was a real gladiator that night
He was in superb condition, and read,
20 battle for his life. When the mill be
gan, therefore, Sullivan went at FlOo,
like cyclone. and proceeded TO poun,
him all over the ring
cut the ropes and throw the Bean
eater overheard" cried one Of the Floo,
mob. as Sullivan knocked his antagonis
into a corner.
1t was critical moment, and everybodl
had his hand on gun or knife.
Fair play, boys. Fair play" came IN,
warning cry from Al Smith. just then. 7
You do anything wrong 10 that Boston
fellow III decide against your'
Before the crowd realized what wa
going on Sullivan had knocked Flood Oh
as clean as a whistle. Referee Smith hel,
up his hand 10 command silence
Sullivan wins" he cried. and the mob
respecting his decision. subsidized II i
had not been for Smiths cOolness an,
fairness. however, Sullivan would no
have won. for he might have been sub
jected 10 a cold bath in the Hudson
River. But Sullivan in his prosperity for
got this and many other kind acts of A
Smith.
He also forgot 10 return to Billy Trac
eys saloon that night, where the latte
waiting TO welcome the comping cham
DiOn. Tracey. up TO the day Of his death
about year ago, continually vowe,
vengeance for this slight. but Sulliva.
always took good care 10 give him a wild
berth.
Al Smiths last appearance as a refeTe
was at the old COuey Island Athletic Clu
in 1852. when he decided the fights be
tTeen Joe Lannon and George Godfre
and Billy Plimmer and Tommy Kelly
He has refused all kinds OF inducement
10 offieiate since them, declaring that h
is through with active participation i
the pugilistic game forever. As a ref
cree Smith never accepted a cent for hi
services.
Refereed for Fun
Jack Cusack is one of the old-time rim
followers OF New York, who has referee
some private bouts just for the fun Of tn
thing. He had an experience once tha
he says he viii never forget Cusack wa
in box at a theater in New York on
night when friend who was runnin
boxing shows asked him to step aroun
the corner to referee a gentlemanly cor
test between two swell walters" wh
were 10 box for scientific points only bc
fore the Fifth Avenue Walters Assc
citation
CuSack readily consented to act. an,
hurrying to Clarendon Hail, he found
crowded TO the doors with a well-dresse
assemblage, composed chiefly of wome
and children. Cusack was ushered bac
of the stage, where ne found two big fe
lows in evening dress with boxing glove
on
They were glaring at each other fierc,
~ and seemed ready to mix il up the
and there. There was no ring laid ou
nor were any ropes stretched across I'll
stage. When the belligerent waiter
rushed at each other ike infuriated bull
the women and children cried out
alarm. 1t was biff and bang all over III
stage, behind the scenes and out agai
until small-sized panic among the spe,
tators was in progress
Suddenly the larger waiter rushed n
antagonist to the footlights. and with
well-directed smash on the Jaw, sent hil
flying into the orchestra, which was busil
llaying the old ballad. Remember Me-