Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-22

1t Is strange. but nevertheless true that
another famous pugilist lies in an un-
marked grave on the Pacific coast-Jack
Dempsey. The Nonpareil, idol of the flstic
world fifteen years ago. passed away at
Foruand, Ore, after a famous career.
Dempsey's grave has been sadly neglected.
There is no shaft of marble or granite
upon which is told who and what he was.
He was buried in an out Of the way spot
near Portland. forgotten by all, but a few.
II was not long after his death that
several INSCRIPTIONS persons collected a
fund from sporting men in various cities
with which to build a monument in mem
DRY OF the former middle-weight champion.
but the money was spent in other ways.
Tom Hyer was perhaps the most popular
fighter New York City ever produced. He
was the Broadway Dandy OF his day.
Dressed in a Price Albert coat. high silk
hat patent leather shoes and stylish trou-
sers, he always cut a swath on the Great
White Way. Hyer was frequently wlned
and dined by the New York sports. espe-
cislly after his victories over Country
McCluskey George McChester) and Kankee
Sullivan. in his last days. however, Hyer
had to depend on his few loyal friends
NA 49, anu WiCu 10 ulC IleY
were compelled to pay for his burial.
COburn and McCOOI.
Joe Coburn. another former heavyweight
champion Of America, became the pet of
the sporting element In New York CITY after
his triumph over Mike McCool in Mary
land in 1868. They battled with bare
knuckles for sixty-three rounds, the fight
lasting one hour and ten minutes. AmonR
Coburn's admirers at that time was George
Law, the late millionaire railroad maEnate.
Law was a noted spender and was never Sc
happy as when he had Coburn at his side
as a sort Of protector. Billy Tracey's saloon
on Twenty-ninth street, Just off Broad
way, was the headquarters OF the million
aire and his pugilistic friends. 1t was
also the resort of Billy Porter, Jimmy
Hope, Red John Leary. Big Frank Mccoy
shang Draper and other classy bank burg.
lars. Tracy was a rough and tumble
fighter himself. He was also handy witt
a gun and had killed a ICON" man named
Kid Miller on Broadway.
1t was in Tracey's place, by the way
that Paddy Ryan has his famous rougl
and tumble go with Johnny Dwyer. theI
the recognized champion because he hat
beaten Jimmy Elliott for the title. 1t wa
a fierce. gruelling fight between Ryan ant
Dwyer while it lasted. and probably woul,
have ended in a murder had not the bellig
erents been separated. Both were badl
punished and eyewitnesses said that Ryai
had a shade the better OF It as Dwyer wa
not in good fettle and had been drinking
too much TO do good work. II was a
these affairs that Joe Coburn was in hi
glory with Law at his back. Several time
the millionaire fitted up saloons for Co
burn, but as the pugilist was not a goo
business man all these ventures failed
Law frequently bought diamonds for Co
burn and the rest OF the gang, spendin
something like $4,000 in this way at Sara
toga in one day. But at lest Law, after
short illness. died. and Coburn, Trace
and the others were not mentioned in hi
will. II was then thai Coburn found him
self a broker down old man without
4 dollar. and after hanging on a few year.
getting a benefit now and then. he passe
away and was buried by a few loyl
friends.
Coburn's maiady was consumption, whic
also caused the death OF Johnny Dwye
The latter was ~penniless when the en-
came. although ne had held a position a
clerk I'm a police court. Paddy Ryan die
a few years ago in Troy without a dolls
10 show that he was once champion {
America Ryan had many saloons both
New York City and elsewhere, but none (
them ever paid. Billy Dwyer, Johnny
blother. fought some hard battles with bal
knuckles In his early days. Later he weI
into politics and became e powerful war
leader and an alderman I'm Brooklyn. b
he died without enough to pay his tuneri
expenses, although at one time he wa
said to be well fixed.
Pete Mccoy Drowned.
Pete Mccoy. a verS clever middlewelgh
who Travelled with the John l.. SulIiva
combination. was owned He fell {
jumped off a tug boat in Long Isian
sound. Mccoy was financially all In whe
he met his fate. Sullivan proclaimed Nj
Coy the best man of his weight In II
world and offered to back him on man
occasions for the middleweight title.
The tragic end OF Jimmy Elliott, VII
was shot dead by the late Jere Dunn