Omaha daily bee., 1908-03-22
HONE.LOVIEC PRIzEFICHTERS
Many Experts with the Gloves Enjoy
Simple Life.
FITzsnMMoNs DOES own COOKING
JeHries Prefers auietude in California
90 the Glare of the Foot
Iights---JOhB l.. Planning
to Retire TO n Farm.

Iights--JOhn l.. Planning
to Retire 20 n Farm.
NEW YORK, March 21.-Contrary to
general belief a majority OF the noted men
of the prize ring Of modern times have
good homes and try to live as respectable
citizens. James J. Jeffries, for instance,
has two fine residences at Los Angeles
one a city house furnished extensively and
in excellent STYLE and the other a country
home surrounded by a large farm in the
most picturesque part of California. The
last time Jeffries visited this city he was
touring the country as the star in the old
western drama ''Davy Crockett"
This theatrical life makes me tired"
said the husky boilermaker to several
friends. I'm going TO quit it as soon as
my contract is up and go back on the farm.
Let Sullivan, Corbett and the other fellows
have the footlights, but no more of It for
me. 1 don't like the life-it's not natural.
Give me a gun and a couple of good dogs
out in the mountains of California; Then
I'm llving"
but, jim" interposed one of his friends,
you are getting the money and you're
good drawing card. Make hay while the
sun Shines my boyl''
NO not for me, old chap" was the quick
response. Il would rather go out and
work on a farm in the west for a small
salary than be an actor with big money
and no sunshine, no good open air and no
sport with the dogs. This business I'm in
now is all falkel I'm going to get out!'
And Jeffries made good his word, for as
soon as ihis theatrical contract expired he
left the stage, and nobody has ever been
-
always a lover OF the open country. The
white lights of a big metropolis never had
attractions for him. He preferred a seat
under the old apple tree, where he could
talk dogs and hunting with several cronies
That is why the big fellow has settled
down to live quietly and keep away from
the prize ring in which he became famous
and earned a fortune
suIly Likes the Light.
John L. Sullivan is just the reverse. He
likes the bright lights, the excitement, the
admiration bestowed upon him by big
crowds while the band plays See, the
Couquering Hero Comesl" Ever since Sui
livan left his parents modest home in
South Boston more than twenty-five years
ago he has always lived in hotels where he
has been in close touch with the world.
of living although just now he says he is
planning to end his days on some WE'LL
stocked farm up in New England.
Shortly after Sullivan defeated Jake Kill
rain he was stopping at the old Stevens
house on lower Broadway. He had a room
which afforded an excellent view of the
Battery, but John L. seldom cared to sleep
there, for his old friend Jack Cusaclk kept
place a few doors below, where Sullivan
remained until everybody else had gone to
bed about daylight. Then he took Clsack's
bulldog Paddy and together they turned in
on one of the billiard tables in the rear
of the saloon. AS Sullivan was afraid OF
rats he never could sleep at Cusack's with
out the bulldog. AS soon as the Turkish
bath across the street opened up for busi-
ness Sullivan was the first customer There
1t was that he used to sleep. Then at
o'clock in the afternoon John L. usually
reappeared in the saloon for another wild
time.
For two years Sullivan lived in this way
without letup, yet he always looked to be
In splendid health. For twenty years. in
fact he led a life that would have put the
average man in his grave in a quarter OF
that time But today Sullivan is a differ
ent man. He still enjoys hotel life. but he
a
sumptuous home in Boston. which is in his
sisters name, but he does not spend more
than two weeks in each year under its roof.
He is constantly on the road with a theatri-
cal company and is trying to recover the
fortune he sauandered.
COrbett and Fitxsimmons.
James ]. Corbett is also fond Of the gilt
ter of the footlights. His ambition is to
become a great actor one of these fine
days, when he will be able to take rank
with Booth, Barrett Irving Mccullough
and other famous men of the stage now
dead and gone. But Corbett, in spite of
the flattery he receives from in front of
the footlights, does not forget his home.
He owns a handsome villa at Bayside.
l. L. whore he spends the summer with his
wife and enjoys himself in a quiet, un-
ostentatious manner.
Anybody roaming through New Jerseys
backwoods who comes across long, lean,
baldheaded man covered with big red
freokles. washing dishes. cleaning house or
chopping wood, can address him as Bob
FitzsimmOns The old Cornishman, once
the undisputed champion heavyweight
pugilist Of the world recently left the stage
for the simple. domestic life on a farm.
so that he knows something about home
life. His first wife divorced him and mar
ried Martin Julian. one OF his former man
ayers. His second wife was Julian's sister,
Rose, who died suddenly at Bath Beach.
His present wife was Julia May Clifford,
little soubrette, whom he married about
three years ago. Bob and Julia went on
the road IN "A Fight for Love-" and accord
ing to the freckled fighter, they came near
walking home. So they decided to settle
down to housekeeping. F1tz himself is a
pretty fair cook. He prides himself on such
dishes as roast beef and Yorkshire pud-
ding. pigs head and cabbage. boiled leg of
mutton with eaper sauce, fried chicken,
Welch rabbit and other old-fashioned fare.
These Loved Their Homes.
Jem Mace, the Oldest living ex-champion
pugilist Of the world, Is a very domestic
man. In April he will be Is years old and
has numerous children TO look after. He
has always led a simple and clean life. He
ha a Nv q. L.