The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-11-07

W. 49,
San Francisco Call.
TO make Sullivan the most popular pu-
gilist in the world.
Smith fell out with sullivan when the
hitter failed to meet Charley Mitchell
for tho second time at the Garden III
1885. John l.. appeared on the ring
platform and declared in maudlIn tones
that he was too i'll 10 box the English
man. Smith never forgave Sullivan for
this. and that night he wanted 10 re-
fund all the money taken IN at the
doors. This the pnCiliSt wouid, not do
In 1886 Smith and Butch Thompson
opened the famous White Elephant pool
room on Broadway, between Thlrtleth
and Thirtv-first streets. This was the
biggest betting room established IN
America. 1t was wide open and thou
sands of dollars changed hands there
every day Smith and Thompson coined
money at the White Elephant for three
years Their profits ran up TO more
than 81 100000. when they decided TO
sever partnership. Smith, later on, lost
his share in Wall street, and when
Thomson died n few years ago, he LETT
his old partner $4,000.
Smith refereed some memorable ring
battles He was always on the square,
and on three occasions he decided has
own money away. When Johnny Muir
phv and Jack Havlin fought with skin
tight gloves in Hobokeu. twenty five
years ago, Smith had $4,000 wager on
Murphy, but he gave his decision in
favor of uavlin.
Smith 8 Reputation Big.
Smith after that was regarded as a
fair play sport, and every English pugi.
1. ~. %. Il
his support. He was behind Jem Mace
when the latter fought Joe Coburn. He
seconded Jem Carney in the great bat
tie with Jack McAuliffe, and handled
Charley Mitchell when he was beaten by
Corbett at jacksonville.
Smith was the hacker OF Billy Plum
NOR when he beat 'ESpider' Kelly FOL
the bantam championship, and was alstc
| tho referee of that mill, treating boJt
| BOYS with extreme fairness.
! The last time Smith acted rs third
man in the Iing was at Coney Island in
1899, when Eddie Pierce and George
Siddons hooked up. During the early
stages Of the mill, Pierce looked like j
sure winner TO the club officials, who
backed him heavily, but Siddons was
a long distance fighter, and as the bat
| lie progressed it looked as If Pierce
would be defeated. So Judge Richard
van Brunt Newton, one OF John Y
| McKane s heuchmen, called Smith aside
| between rounds, and told him TO declare
the fight n draw.
I'm the referee, Newton. said
Smith. 'EWe must have fair play. The
boys must fight it ont according to the
articles of agreement!
Round after ronnd Siddons contin
ued TO improve, until finally Newton
jumped into the ring himself and called
the fight draw. Smith left the build
| ing in disgust. and declared that hC
would never referee a fight again.
There never was more charitable
sporting man than this veteran soldier
of fortune. In his palmy days, after q
big winning, he frequently entered :
cafe and gave every broken down sport
4 $40 note. He seemed TO delight il
blers, and he probably helped TO bury
moro of them than any man in this
| country.
Smith Advises the Referee.
Smith also was the stakeholder Of III,
international battle between Jack Nc
Auliffe and jim Carney for the light
weight championship of the world q
Revere Beach, Mass, on Nov. l6. 1887
In addition be held thousands of dol
lars in private wagers and was there
with his shooting iron TO see that every
thing was done fairly McAuliffc wa:
a hot favorite, but Carney proved him
under London rules, and at the end OF
the sevoptyfourth round McAuliff,
was unable TO rise from his corner.
The quick witted Jack Dempsey, Nc
| Antilles chief second, cut the rinI
ropes and there was a rush of McAu
life s friends into the ring. Smith baC
heard whispers to the effect that Franl
Stevenson, the referee, was in a scheme
to. give the decision to McAuliffe. Ap
proaching Stevenson. Smith said, as h
fingered the cannon
~ don Z think YOU arc going to give
this decision TO McAuliffeJ>
Smith was right. Stevenson called
the bout draw. which in itself wa
an injustice TO Carney. But Smitl
saved the money of the Carney bcttors
Smith was an authority on the rule
of pugilism. and his dictum was nc
ccpted generally on disputed point
jim Corbett and Tom Sharkcy met a
the Lcnox a. G., in this city on Novem
Der 30, 1898, and Sharkey won on ;
foul in the ainth round. When Cor
belts chief second, Con McNev
Jumped into the ring. Honest JohI
Kelly, the referee, after declaring
Sharkev The winner on the foul, an
nounced that all bets were off. Smith
| lOok ISSUE Wltu hellE on lhdo point We
claring that the referee of n boXinl
bout had no more to do with the wager
on a battle than had hitching post
aud that AS soon ms the referee bao
rendered his decision on the outcome o.
the contest bis connection with th'
match ended. While a few of those wht
had wagered their money on Corbet
took advantage of the announcement By
Kelly. still a great majority of the bet
tors were guided by Smith s judgment
aud paid their losses.