Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-01-10
FORMER F|sT|C
CHAMPS TODAY
Jack Sicily Tells What Old.
time Fav0rites Are
Doing

Its rather interesting indeed 10
look back and see what has become
OF the leading fighters OF the past.
who In their days were the stars OF
the fistic arena" said Jack Skelly.
recalling many OF his old associates
and competitors IN the prize ring.
Many OF the old-timers are still
enjoying considerable prosperity in
different parts OF this old world OF
ours, while others are hustlins hard
for their daily bread.
II certainly is hard for some OF
the great pugllists who have passed
their prime to live on easy street
without any special trade or calling
in life.
when a star fighter Is on top.
winning big money and glory, he has
friends galore who cheer him on and
pay him all sorts Of homage. They
follow the victorious gladiator
around and shower him with gifts
and flattery; but when he's beaten
and goes down and out the world
turns its back on the former hero
and he finds himself alone and for
saken. This is true in pugilism as
well as in other walks OF life
Some day, hope, there will come
some kindly philanthropist who will
establish a home fer disabled fight
ers, who are unable to labor, where
they can live in comfort In their old
days. firmly believe that the mil
lions OF fight fans OF this country.
England and Australia woald gladly
subscribe toward an institution OF
that kind.
why shouldn't worthy honest
fighting men be given Just as much
consideration in their old age as POI
licemen. firemen and school teach
ers? DO they not encourage grit,
gameness and physical perfection in
the youth OF any nation? We must
have great physical men as well as
great mental men in every progress
sive country. One Is idst as vital 10
a great nation as the other. How
ever. this is another subject. whicn
I may advocate with more detail lat
or on.
In Parliament.
MANY of the old pupilists reached
high positions in life after they re-
tired from the ring John Gully be-
came a member of tho English Par
lament won the great Derby, and
was worthy citizen of Great Brit
ain after he retired as champion of
the English ring. Our own John
Morrissey. once the gamest bare
knucklc champion America ever
know, became member OF Congress
and a leader In the affairs Of New
York State.
Jim Dunno OF Brooklyn who de-
feated Fill Davis and Jimmy Elliott
for the championship of America, Is
a very wealthy political leader IN
Brooklyn. He has highly educated
his children and has done much good
work In the city OF churches. whore
he Is eminently respected.
Duncan Mcdonald. who was de-
feated bv Pete Mccoy in 1882. is
millionaire mine contractor and hotel
keeper at Seattle, Wash and prob
ably is the richest eX-fighter In the
world He's great business man,
and has helped to put many n poor
fellow on his feet.
MY old friend, John l.. Sullivan,
is living comfortably and contented |
on his 7j-acrt farm at North Ab-
inctou Mass. He attends his church |
regularly and has not torched liquor
of any kind for the past eight years.
The old warhorse has biz banG |
account and will not be seen again
far from home before the footlishts,
where he made a big fortune during
the past few wears.
. Another old pal OF mine, Jack
McAulffe. the only retired undeteat-
ed champion alive. still is showing
In his monologue act at the vaudo-
Vile thcatcrs. Jack has made many
n big bank roll and spent them like
a lord among his host Of friends.
Patsy Cardiff. who fought Sulli-
van years ago, is n successful con-
tractor in Portland, ore. In the same
city. Tom Tracey, ne Australian
runs cigar store. Martin Denny.
another Australian, keeps paying
cafe. and Joe Acton. one Of the great
est wrestlers ever known earns a
living as n bridge tender
David Campbell. who was cleN-
or heavyweight in his day, is chief
Of the fire department at Portland,
Ore. whore he has the respect and
well wishes Of all good citizens. MyS-
terious Rilly Smith h AZ Seattle,