The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-12-27
Some Famous Sports that Were i,
lime'ight 90 Years Ago Re.
called by Jack Shelly

called by Jack Shelly
lis rather sad, indeed. u look bach
for the last twenty years. and Sc.
how many sporting men have passed
to the world beyond, remarked Jack
Skclly to the sporting editor, as he
reviewed his lsns list OF depart
friends. who played many prominent
parts in the gay and festive sporting
world in their day.
Yes. twenty years ago, when
was boxing In my prime at the head
OF the fcatherweight class, had the
friendship and backing Of many grand
sporting men, who are now gone 10
the happy hunting ground. from
which no Traveller ever returns Most
OF them were honorable. high.class
fellows. whose word was as good as
their bond. They didn't frame or
trim YOU. like many of the alleged
sportsmen of the present day. They
were loyal. on the level men. who
loved square sport, and fair Geld.
with no favors.
1T seems to me that the Lord took
most OF the good ones unto himself
and left the worst here on earth.
What a fine bunch We're Captain Billy
Dwyer. the greatest piunger IN the
history of the American turf George
Law multi-millionaire railroad man;
Al Smith. who held more real mon
ey wagers than any other man in the
world Joe Ullmann. another racins
plunger: William T. ThOIps IN fam
ed as the duke of Gloucester; William
G. Whitney, who was the real hess OF
New York Herman Oelrichs and
others. who were in the sporting llnir
light but a few rears ago Can we
duplicate them today as a represen-
tative body of American sportsmen2
What a sweep there also has been
among the sporting scribes For in
stance there were Peter J. Donohua
of the old New York ecorder; How
ard Hackett. Billy Narr and Tom lee.
OF the old New York Recorder; How.
OF the Boston Herald Big-H sarted
Harry Weldon. OF the Cincinnati En.
quirer: Dick Bennett John B Nc
CormiclS and his eldest son George;
John II. Mandigo. sporting editor OF
the New York Sun; I4angdon Smith
OF the Werid: Malachi Hogan. Charles
T. Mack. who wrote under the ron de
plume of Bill Blunt: Bayard Brassel.
Captain Cock, OF Boston. William n
Harding, John BOYLE O'Reilly also OF
Boston. and a fleet of others.
X Pete Donahue was fearless writ.
er and a very active fellow in the
world of sports. He was a warm
friend, and most bitter enemy.
Donahue Also was a great referee ili
his day and was just as fearless int
his decisions as with his pen. Harry
Weldon was one of the greatest
sporting editors this country ever
produced He was wcll-up ia all the
branches and could make a coilling
story on any line OF sport, He prob
ably was one Of the most popular
sporting writer's that ever lived
During the time | speak Of the \
lrize ring has lost many OF its lead
ne stars. | will recall a few who
nave passed in, We all remember
Toe Goddard, George Godfrey. Johnny
Griffin, Ike Weir. the Belfast Spid-
sr; Joe Coburn. Jack Dempsey,
Stanley Ketchel joe Cans, George
Dixon, George Siddons, Jem Mace,
ack Hopper. Cal Mccarthy, Dick Col
ier, Sam Collier. Billy Edwards. Ans
in Gibbons, Mike Cushing, Billy Fer
ION, Andy Bowen Barney Aaron,
'inky Evans. Con Reardon, Joe Coss,
ohm Donaldson. John Flogd, Paddy
syan Jimmy Elliott, Jack Ashton.
nd many other game fellows ! DO not,
I present recall.
Look back and see the great old
ing-siders who have gone. Such men
IS Warren Lewis, John Coasidnc.
rank Stevenson. an honest referee
t the skrgloye days; Alec Giilicr,
iuy Tuthill, the backer of jack
dempsey, Mayor Pat Gleason Of Long
'land City, Nanny Friend. the little
porting lawyer Reilly tIanan, the
lunger Pat keenan,, former city
of New Yorks Tony Pas
or. who never missed mill; Ol
ridge the big bookmaker; cx-Sher- /
fs Jimmy O'Brien and Tom Dunn
lartm bowling, Billy PIimmers cid
acker: Jim Lavelle, jerry Dunn. Ar 4
iur Moore Of the New York A. C.
harley Johnston Sulllvans Old
acker; Billy O'Brien. Little Tim Sui