The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-11-29
WOLGAST IS ILL.,:
BIG FIGHT OFF
Lightweight Champion Pugilist
of World is Stricken With
Appendicitis
ATTACK COMES SUDDENLY
Condition is Serious But His Re-
Covery is Certain
$4,000 Received For Tickets to be Re-
turned. WoIgast Was to Have
Received s13,5oo.

Los Angeles, Nov 29.-Ad WoIgast.
lightweight champion pugilst Of the
world, is seriously in with appended
tbs, but will recover
Wolgast showed symptoms OF the
disease last night after supper. and at
2 o'clock this morning was screaming
with pain. An hour later he was rush
ed TO a hospital. and at $3.50 was placed
on the operating table.
Fighter Will Recover.
The operation performed on VOL
CAST lasted forty minutes. Dr. Pollard.
who performed il, stated Wolgast's
perfect physical condition rendered t
almost certain he would recover rap
idly
"He will be out Of the hospital in
ten days or two weeks" he said.
The surgeon says Wolgast's fighting
powers will be unimpaired.
Mrs. Wolgast Breaks Down.
As soon as the patient was safely i'm
the hospital Manager Jones brought
Mrs. Wolgast. She broke down when
she arrived at the hospital. She said
it was the first time her husband had
been sick and expressed fear over the
outcome. Jones went TO the operating
room and remained there during the
operation. At the conclusion Of the
operation, Manager Jones descended
from the operating room 10 escort Mrs.
Wolgast upstairs TO see her husband.
"Ad is still unconscious from the
anaesthetic." said Jones, "but the doc
tors say he's doing fine"
News Spreads Rapidly.
News that the little Dutch athlete
had been brought by fate 20 the door
Of death spread rapidly, and scores Of
the champions admirers stood outside
the hospital awaiting the outcome Of
the operation.
The announcement Of Wolgasts i'll
ness had the effect Of bolt OF light
ming upon sporting circles. Yesterday
he appeared in the pink Of condition.
ready for the battle of his life. and
fight enthusiasts who saw him wrestle
cavort about like a playful colt. were
astounded 10 learn he was i'm a hospi-
tai this morning at the point of death.
Weleh Expresses Sorrow.
Freddie welch who was to have
been the champions opponent in tho
ring tomorrow, expressed great sorrow
over Wolgasts illness.
Tom McCarrey. promoter OF tho Pa
cinc Athletic club. under the auspices
OF which Wolgast and Freddie Wclch.
the English boxer, were scheduled to
meet tomorrow, is trying TO arrange
sub-card.
OF course his nght. scheduled FOR
tomorrow, is off, and the thirty-hve
thousand dollars paid for tickets will
be returned to the purchasers. VOL
zast was to have received $1S,5OO as his
share.
Wolgast had just completed training
Tor his twenty bout with Fred
die Wclch tomorrow afternoon when
The attack came on lie was a general
Favoritc for this contest, bets of TO 1
being offered boy his friends. with few
takers.
Sketch of Wolssst's Career.
Wolgast was born at Cadillac Feb.
3, 1855, of German American parents
and early evinced ambitions as boxer.
His first important ring engagement
was with Kid" Moore in 1906. whom
he defeated handily. For sceral years
he continued with unvarying success
In the ring. most of his fights taking
place about Milwaukee. His first inn
1ortant hght was with owen Moran at
New York i'm 1905. resulting in a draw
it six rounds I'm the slime year he
fought ten rounds no decision. with
Abe Attell at Los Angeles.
In 1909 he fought no decision ten
round contests with Battling Nelson.
George McmSic and Tommy Murphy.
wolgast won the lightweight cham
oionship OF the world from Battling
Nelson, after a brilliant forty round
fight at Point Richmond. California.
Nelson was not completely knocked
,ut. but his condition was such that
Referee Smith stopped the fight and
gave Wolgast the verdict Since then
he has engaged i'm fcw important con-
Tests. contcnting himself with cxhi-
,ition bouts and stage engagements.
Wolgasts greatest success was
achieved at from 13O TO 1873 pounds He
has been sturdy chap. depending
more on his ability az close range than
his skill as a boxer Unlike most box
RS. he has taken the best OF care of
MS health and his strong constitution
" VA stand him in good stead now.
wolgast Is Independently wealthy.
having saved his ring earnings and in
,reased them by wise investments. He
vas married last spring. He went west
4 month ago TO prepare for the fight
he had scheduled for tomorrow.