The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-09-15
Pugiiism
Baseball
Racing
HUMAN PUNCHING
BAG. NOW INSANE
Joe Grim, Who Was Never Rem
dered Unconscious, Has a Men
tai Breakdown.

and miles from home and friends. Joe
Grim. the yeritablc punching bag. now
weak and destitute, is languishing IN
der constant guard. an inmate OF the
Claremont Lunatic asylum. at Perth,
Australia Time, which plays no fay-
orites. has finally succeeded where all
the ring champions OF tho world have
tried and failed.
Grim the ron-jawed marvel of the
age. and the despair Of the scientists,
who have frequently examined him,
In a vain effort 10 fathom the secret
of his phenomenal strength. has CIV
on way beneath the strain of several
years constant punishment. and is
now declared hopelessly insane.
There is sufficient substaniation TO
the stories to warrant the belief that
Joe Grims lighting days are forever
over, and II be IS eventually able to
secure his release from the Australian
asylum, he will be pathetic contrast
TO his former massive self.
Goes to Insane Asylum.
For the last few weeks he has DEM
onstrated signs of failing mentality.
Because OF his unsettled condition the
promoters were unwilling TO provide
him with matches He had been act
ing Queerly. and the authorities made
several examinations before they iin-
ally decided TO place him in the asy-
lum for the insane.
1t is the opinion of the Australian
specialists who have examined him
that the terrific laclng5 TO which he
have finally told OH him. His fre-
OF Of Ia
of his slugging opponents has confus-
ed the gray matter, and 1t is safe
conclusion that he will never regain
his former strength.
Joe Grim's adoption of the prize
fight profession was originally due to
Mike Costello. prominent figure in
Little Italy and we'll known In boxing
circles. AT the time Mike was told
of the strength of the young Italian,
Joe was bootblack. 6cra7ing through
the week on the 81 or S5 he was able
TO amass
Mike took him in hand, and It was
not long ere he was showing at the
local clubs, his hackers Offering a for
felt to anyone who could put him
away inside of the local limit of six
rounds. Gradually his reputation cX
tended, and reached its zenith when
Jack O'Brien. then in his prime, fall
cd TO make any noticeable impression
upon Grim before local club.
He then took on all the heavy-hit-
ting pugilists, llghtweights, although
Grim never weighed more than 155
pounds until lately. One OF his featS
which will be remembered for many
day was FIVE fights against the hard
est hitting group of boxers then In
the game within 10 days.
In this short space Of time, hardly
time enough for bantam TO rccuper-
ate from even a mild fight, Joe Grim
STAYED six rounds apiece. with Peter
Maher. Joe Cans. Kid Carter. Bob
Ftzsimmons and Charley McKeever,
when these pugilists were In the hey
day of success.
Always. Plucky Fighter.
No gamer or pluckier man ever step
ped into the ring. II was only his
bulldog tenacity OF purpose to remain
the limit which enabled him 10 hold
out. Not for moment would he seek
quarter, and although he was beaten
almost TO "A pulp on many occasions.
he would not permit his seconds TO
stop a bout to save him from punish
ment
For this unprecedented stocism, Joe
became the idul of the Italian colony,
Restaurants We're named after him
bootblacks bedecked their stand with
fighting pictures OF their champion
and whenever Joe was billed 10 fight
before a local club it was signal for
a parade through the crowded streets
OF Little italy
The night OF his fight with Jack
Johnson at the National A c. Is an
event which will be remembered BY
all the fighting fans Of the city. Over
5000 enthusiastic Italians. accompan-
led by four brass bands. paIadcd down
town and then proceeded TO the Scott
house. the meeting place of the prin-
cipal followers of the sport
Joes present plight It's all the moro
pathetic In contrast 10 his former days
of prosperity. I'm his experience In the
ring it is estimated that Joe earned
in the neighborhood of $4,000. and
1t is safe TO say that IS per cent Of
this sum was gambled away shooting
dice Joe was an inveterate gambler
and a few hours after he had submit
AIu w q hl'l'ltoo phillAuFAllE III lllb
ring for the sake Of a few dollars he
usually made his way TO the gambling
table and was soon relieved of his
pile.
A reminder of his Unsuitable mania
for gambling is a ten dollar bill now
on exhibition in Atlantic City in a
window on Atlantic avenue It was
after bad night at craps that Joe
lost $500. all but single $40 bill.
THAT amt no good to me" eXclaim-
ed Joe In his broken English. as he
took the remaining bill In his pile.
and tore 1t TO tatters. and then threw
the handful Of bits into the air AS
a memento Of the occasion the proprie-
tor of the plant collected tho shreds
OF the tenspot. pasted them together
and they are now framed and on view
at the seashore.