Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-06-26
Especial Correspondence,

probably few true blue sporting
, men in: the United States who
-- do not possess somewhere among
their treasures n portrait OF Jcm Mace,
the greatest boxer the world ever saw
Tho portrait probably represents Jem
in fighting dress with his right hand
held dcliantly in front Of the nose of
another boxer similarly unclad, aud the
Inscription refers to one or other of
the 800 battles in which Mace upheld
the honor of England in the prize ring.
Probably most of those who possess
silcl, portraits think that the great
fighter has been gathered to his faith
crs. for it is many years since he was
heard OF in the prize ring. They are
wrong. however, for "old Jem Mace. =
as lie is now called affectionately by
his friends is alive and hearty, and,
ii may be added, ready to fight any
man OF his weight and a good many
fewer years, who is willing TO take him
on.
Old Jcm, however. has fallen on evil
days He celebrated his 18th birthday
n few days ago by applying To the
British government for an old age
pension OF $3.50 a week. but the gov
eminent officials asked so many dues-
lions ana wanted to know so many
intimate details of his life and re-
sources that Jenl gave it up in disgust
and declared that he would rub along
without the pension, His veteran
manager, "Oid Biz Bayford who Is
his inseparable companion, and who is
also in deep water financially, persists.
however, and hopes to get pension
for himself.
NEVER DRANK.
1t is not old Jem's fault that he is.
in straitened circumstances. He never
drank to excess, aud even after lie LEFT
the ring the most he ever allowed him
self was a glass of port once prstwice
a week. He smokes sparingtS and he
has always lived frugally He is now
practically penniless, although at one
time he could have drawn his check
:or $3.50 600 Most of the money went
In unfortunate speculations. and on the
turf. for in his prime lem was aakeen
lover of the horse and he has owned
some famous racers, lie was without
any business training OF experience,
of course. and it is 10 be feared that
some of his advisers feathered their
own nests at liiseNpense.
Yet the old warrior is far from be-
ing absolutely destitute. for he has Il
host of friends His brother-in-ia law
has urged him again and again to
man insists on being independent and
continues to live alone in a little room
in Islington. He spends Il few hours
every day in the snug of the Blue
coat Boy" an od-fashioned 1slington
Inn that was a famous resort of sport
ing men in the days gone by. Almost
any afternoon ne may be found sit
ting there surrounded by an adinirinS
crowd of youngsters who are eager to
hear OF the great battles of the past,
| found him there the other day and
was surprised to see, instead of the
,leciept old man ] expected TO meet.
a straight. upright man who did not
look day over fifty. This was at
first sight One realized his age when
enc looked into the dim old eyes and
saw the wrinkles about their corners.
.Jem Mace. however. is as strong and as
active on his feet as many man Of
half his age. and he is ready today
for a friendly bout with anyone who
comes along 1t Is we'll for the en-
thusiastic amateur who puts OIL the
gloves with him not to be too confident.
for he is likely to get a blow from a
muscular old arm that Viii make him
see many kinds of stars.
DISTINCTLY a DUDE.
The old fighter is a great dandy. His
SILK hat is of the shape and style OF
twenty years ago. but il is as glossy
as the day it came out of the hatter's