The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1909-01-13

HegewtSch Is locateu WitHih sho'
distance Of Wolfe Lake and Lake Michl-
gan. The chief industries Of the town
in those days were truck gardening, Ice
cutting and meat packing. Ny first joo
as kid. was driving the horses used
for hauling ice for John Daline, the Ice
man Of Hegewisch. Ny first weeks
work netted me 30 cents. or 10 cents pei
day.
Made Debut at Circus.
later went to work for G. H. Ham
mond Company, and was in the en-
ploy Of this company when made my
first public appearance as boxer OF
prizefghter, at Wallace's Circus. IN
Hammond. Ind, on Sept. 5. 1896, Ham
mond Is only Q few miles from Aege'
wisch.
At the time was working as meat
cutter. On account OF the warm weather
we were working only three or four Gays
a week and, OF course. being such k1d'
was anxious to see the circus when II
arrived In town. applied there and
asked for the Job OF carrying banner
in the parade, or carrying water TO the
elephants
The manager lined US up In the parade
and after Its conclusion we Kids were
nut to work carrying water to the ele'
plants, for which work we were handed
masses for the show had gained quite
reputation about Hammond and Hege'
wisch as a shlfty, hard-hitting sort OF o
kid and naturally my ability as boxer
was greatly admired by all the young
sters in our vicinity, most OF Whon
worked In the factories thereaDouts,
We learned that Wallace had world
renowned prize fighter travelling viii
the big show who was meeting all com
ers. The strangest part OF the ahail
was the fact that no one seemed tc
know lust who he was or where M
had won his reputation as man
eater" Wallace positively refused tc
divulse his identity.
Comrade Makes Challenge.
We hove in front OF the main en-
trance OF the show long before the ar
fair had opened, and one OF my com
rades, who possessed an unusua
amount Of nerve, boldly stepped !ntC
the managers tent and said: Say
boss, we've gotta Teller here wild u
named Bat Nelson wots willin' tc
meet dat champ OF yourn tonight
What would you give II our chaml
knocks de block off your great slug
ging unknown
The old manager, used to such Incl
dents as this, laughed heartily am
said: Well, II your pal stands up IN
full three rounds necessary before IN.
man, why III give him a dollar. BE
sides, II he should actually manage Il
win. why III give him chance 20 tr
each succeeding night"
That suited me TO nicely, and whit
we all enjoyed the show very much ~
were all anxious to hear the big lustv
lunged ringmaster announce the mat
scream OF the evenings entertain
ment the appearance Of the scnsa
t!onal wh!rlwind lightweight wonder
fighting champion OF the world-Wal
laces unknown,
Ny lighting toys consisted Of thin
wellworn. red sweater In which
worked and pair Of low rubber shoe,
The big. white tent was parked =
suffocatio1 with citizens Of Hanmoni
HegewisCh, South Chicago, and Othe
small burg Whereabouts. Three q
my brother, were there and, Of course
were una,faTe OF the fact that wa
awaiting my turn 10 tackle II
Demon 10 go into the saw.1iis
covered Arena and dance before IN
public for he first time as a fighter.
Sting in Every Blow.
The manager Of the show grabbed m,
roughly by the shoulder and lus''r
me into SIDE tent saying: Sow. lid
he game an don't allow his H-rC
man.eater % k.'l YOU He hits lr.a
trip-hammer and the very sting Of dealt
is In every blow
Now. kind reader. YOU can easv
depict tie string ~ chl,s and ,lrirl
which chased trewsclEa. ~ down an
hcros, ms spinal column The s,a a.
faces the roaring ~ the Ions am
cher s'll animals, and the vor.prfr
glare ~ N, hundreds ~ flaming ,lght
were sun Gent 20 urnsrNe anyone In
side the tent me, face 90 face III
terrible Unknown. He was stripped IN
action alrcrdN and was neryousl
racing the floor like. cared tlga,