The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-05-25

Perhaps one Of the most amazing
features of the history of the prize
ring is the extraordinary popularity
accorded the men who were willing to
batter one another for forty or nifty
rounds, in some cases merely for a e5
or f10 note, remarks The London
(Eng.) Tit Bits.
The manner in which Bendigo for
instance-one of the most extraordi-
nary characters that ever figured in
the ring-caugnt hold of the popular
imagination was remarkable. His
name was not only given to an inn
portant Australian city, but also to
one of the greatest race horses of
modern times and to a special drink
known to the fancy.
And when after his retirement from
the ring, Bendigo became converted,
people flocked OF hear him preach. He
was a great draw at revival meet
ings throughout the country, and Sir.
Arthur Conan Doyle graphically de-
scribes, in a story in verse in the April
number of The Strand Magazine, how
Bendy being interrupted while preach
ing at Birmingham by half a dozen
boxers who sat in the front pew OF
the chapel, came down from the pulpit
and thrashed them all, after which he
went on with his sermon.
1t is ninety eight years ago since
Bendigo was born He was christened
William, but as he happened to be
one of triplets, a friend of the fam
lily named the three Shadrach, Mes
bach and Abednego, after the three
Jewish heroes who walked unscratched
in the furnace. The name was short
ened to Bednego. and ultimately
changed to Bendigo
'It is interesting to note" says
Henry Savers, in his entertaining book
entitled Fights Forgotten (Werner
Laurie), .'that Bendigo was also a good
cricketer, for he once matched against
George Parr for ESQ. He appeared on
the ground lame, and Parr generously
refused to claim the stake Bendigo
was credited with being able to jerk
a cricket ball 115 yards, and there is no
doubt that he was splendid ALL
round athlete"
The famous Jem Belcher. by the way,
who was at the height OF his fame at
the beginning of the last century, was
very fond OF tennis; while Jem Mace,
who had fallen on bad times. could
play the violin very well. Mace was a
cabinetmaker by trade, but early threw
OFF the restraints OF the humdrum life
and became a boxer at the fairs and a
pedestrian runner. Not many people
are aware that at the beginning of his
career this hero of 500 fights, was the
most despised and derided man who
had ever been connected with the noble
art In one of his first matches he
entered the ring with the look Of a
minutes. It was purely nervousness,
which he soon overcame.
And mention of Bendigo's connection
with the pulpit reminds one that the
father Of, Jeffries. whom people are so
anxious to see matched with the pres
ent heavyweight champion, johnson,
was q Non -confornist minister. The
majority of old-time prize lighters had
followed strenuous occupations before
entering the ring. j. L. Sullivan, for
instance was an iron molder: Jew
Ward was known as the Black Dia :
mond from the fact that he had been
coal HEAVIER Heenan was d black
cmith While Tom sayers was brought
up as bricklayer. and acquired. by
the exercise Of his trade. prodigious
strength in those muscles Of the back
which are so useful IN striking for
ward blow
Undoubtedly however. the most
amazing career OF any prize fighter
was that Of John Gully TO quote Mr..
sayers: "His name will live ia popu-