davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
"OLD SPORT" TELLS ABOUT MYSTERIOUS BILLY" SMITH

"It pains me deeply" declared the
 Old Sport, placing a gnarled hand
 bn his prominent tum-tum. 'to find
 so much ignorance abroad in the land
 in these suppositiously enlightepsd
 days, and SO I won't ask you if you
 know who was the first man to hold
 the welterweight championship of the
 world. He was Mysterious Btliy
 Smith. whose real front name was
 tant anniversary in Smiths career, as
 he won the title on April 16. 1S9S, and
 lost it to 'Matty' Matthews on April
 17, 1900. Smith, which was his real
 monaker was a down-EaSt Yankee,
 and was born in 1871 in Eastport, Ae-,
 the town famous for its alleged aaf-
 dimes. It was in the early '90's that
 the pugilistic authorities decided that
 a new class was needed for the neht- CTS who were too light to be middle- weights and too heavy to be Aght-
 weights. 'Welter,' according to Web ster, means to 'wallow in something,
 as blood or to fall or tumble over.
 There were men among the contend CTS for the title who could do both.
 The London rules had no such ctasS.
 which was created by American fol-
 lowers of the game to fill a Ions felt want The original welterweight was
 40 pounds. and among the prominne fighters who could tip the scales at that weight besides Smith, were Tom my Ryan, Young Corbett,' and the Australians George Dawson and rom
 Williams. Smith began fighting as a lad and whipped many husky sar- dine fisherman at Passport before he went to sea on an old wind-tammer, finally landing in San Francisco. In the Golden Gate city he soon made reputation as a fast, rough fighter, and his close-mouth attitude about himself led him to be dubbed MyStor- ious Billy After cleaning up all the most promising contenders for the new welterweight title, Smith went to New York, and in that town, on April 17. 1se3 the first bona ida battle in which
 the welter title was involved was pull
 ed off, with Smith and Tom Williams
 as the principals. In the third round
 Billy put over the punch that sent
 Williams down for the count. Alter
 that Billy had his ups and downs.
 and the title changed hands several times He was still acclaimed the
 leader of the division in 1900. however. when on April r he met 'Matty Mat thews at the old Broadway Athletic Club in New York. That go went seventeen rounds. Tn the last round Smith was still strong, and was taunt- ing Matthews with his lack of a punch when his swift right on the jaw not only closed his mouth, but sent him off to the beautiful land of dreams"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

to buy little false courage. Well, Waddell became so boisterous that Davis decided to cut off his allowance and give him his share of the pro- ceeds in bulk at the close of the trip He told the Rube about the scheme and George said it would be O.. K. with him.
 "One night, waddelI reported at the hotel, tanked to the ears, and de- manded two iron men. Davis refus- ed Then Rube began to abuse Da- wis and everybody else on the club. He used vile language and when the hotel proprietor interfered, Rube toss- ed him over the counter. That was the climax.
 "Topsy Hartsel spoke up and said he would refuse to continue on a trip with such a man as Waddell All the other players chimed in with the same threat. So Davis called a meet ing of the players and we propor- toned off Waddelrs share of the re- ceipts, paid his bills and told him to vanish That ended Waddell as a member of the Athletics. The players swore they never again would asso- ciate with him and the next spring secven regulars demanded that Wad- dell be fired off the club. The seven stood solid and refused to sign unless Mack got rid of the Rube. So Connie shipped him to St. Louis."
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
THIS DATE IN
 PuGILISTIC ANNALS
APRIL IT.

1893-Mysterious Billy Smith knocked out Tom Williams in 3 rounds at Con- ey Island
 1so0-Matty Matthews defeated Mys- terious Billy Smith in F rounds at New York.
 1s0s-willie Gardner knocked out Ar thur Cote in rounds at Biddleford, Ind.
 1907-Jim Flynn knocked out George Gardiner in IS rounds at San Diego, Cal
 19os-Danny Webster defeated Earl Sain in 6 rounds at Los Angeles.
 1s08-Willie Lewis knocked out Har- ry Connolly in round at Paris.
 1909IJoe Jeanette defeated Sam Mcvey in 4e rounds at Paris, France.
 1s11-Joe Mandot defeated Charlie White in 8 rounds at Memphis.
 1811-Battling Hurley defeated Benny Franklin in 10 rounds at New York. APRIL 1s
 1S53-Harry Broome defeated Harry Orme in S1 rounds in England.
 1888-Johnny Kilbane, featherweight champion of the world, born in Cleve- land.
 1ss2-Ike Weir knocked out Frank Steele in 12 rounds at New Bedford, Mass.
 1903-Young Mississippi knocked out Tommy Feltz in rounds at Philadel- phia.
 1906-Jim Barry knocked out Kid Dyer in round at Madison, wis.
 19OS-Tommy Burns knocked out Jewey Smith in rounds at Paris.
 1910-Jim Driscoll knocked out Spike Robson in 15 rounds at London.
 1H0-Jack ,Britton defeated Dummy Decker in 15 rounds at Savannah.
 1911-Packey Mcfarland outpointed Tommy Murphy in 10 rounds at New York
 1911-Al Belmont defeated Monte At tell in F rounds at Boston.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
FEAR
 ENGLISH RUNNER
M'MILLAN MAY WIN 100 YARD
 DASH AT OLYMPIC GAMES,

There's one man who will give the Yankee athletes trouble in the Olym- pie games at Stockholm, and his name is McMillan. McMilian let it be told, is an Englishman; and a good one. Last summer he won the 100 yard dash and finished second in the quar- ter mile run at the international games between Yale and Harvard for America and Oxford and Cambridge for England. Since last summer Mo Milan has improved greatly: Only last week he ran the century in 10 seconds flat and the quarter mile in 50 seconds, with competent timers holding the watches
 McMillan gets away flying, and this fact will make him all the more dan- gerous under the starting system (no penaltfes) that will be used at Stock holm. He is great racer and his countrymen expect to see him do a fast 10 3-5 seconds for 100 metres, if he is pushed to it. In the quarter mile race McMillan will not be so dangerous, but at that he's no slouch.
 He runs his quarter from the crack of the gun-all the way. As yet Me- Milan has not beaten 50 seconds, and such performance should not both> CT some of the men that Uncle Sam will send into the 400 metre race.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
YALE FOOTBALL
 CAPTAIN WORRIED
MAKES SPEECH TO CANDIDATES URGING MORE MEN TO TRY
 FOR TEAM,

With Walter Camp, 80, presiding, the Yale football candidates held an interesting session in the trophy room of the Yale gymnasium last night. Short talks relative to the outlook for the coming season and the spring practice featured at the meeting. Walter Camp, Coach Art Howe and Captain Jesse Spalding were the speakers.
 Spalding announced that the can didates will be ordered out for spring practice as soon as the weather per- mits.
 Walter Camp was the first speaker of the evening and had the following to say:
 "1t is really time that Yale relieve the monotony of the last two years and succeed in crossing .Harvard's goal line. The only way to accom- plish this is to begin right now with earnest determination to succeed. The importance of the second team as factor in the seasons success cannot be over estimated, and credit is due them as well as the first. Because of the new method of football there will be opportunities next season for all kinds of men, small as well as large, speed and alertness are to be essen- tia1 factors. It is necessary that every man take the matter seriously, work hard with the determination to take the ball over the line, and the ques- tion as to whether Harvard or Yale is to turn the tables first will be de- cided.'
 Captain Spa1ding made plea for more candidates and stated that he would be pleased to have those come out and try for the eleven that are not engaged in spring track athletics.
 The meeting lasted but half an hour. Following are the "Y' men that will be with the eleven next fall:
 Captain J. sSpalding, 1913; Dunn, 1913; Sheldon. 1913; Ketcham, D. M. Bomeisler, 1913; FEW. Freeman 1912; c. Gallauer, 1913 s.; J. H. Philbin, 1913; w. Camp, IT,, 1913; FEB. Avery, 1914: Bake, 1918.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
TOMMY MURPHY
 LOSES TO CROSS

Leach Cross outpointed Tommy Mur- phy. Phil Cross gained the honors over Young Hickey, in tn ten-round bouts at the Empire Athletic Club, New York, last night. The second and third bouts. in which the Cross brothers took part, furnished plenty of action.
 full of action from the opening bell in the first round to the closing gong in the tenth. At the finish both con- testants left the ring much the worse for wear. Murphy had bled from the right eye and the mouth from the early rounds. and his nose was con- siderably swollen when the battling was over Cross was not cut up, but his lips and cheeks were swollen con- siderabIy, and his right eye carried a bruise which testified to Murphy's hard punching
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
JACK JOHNSON AND FLYNN
 WILL FIGHT ON JULY 4

Chicago, April 1S-Jack Johnson and Jim Flynn will fight forty-five rounds for the worlds heavyweight cham pionship in Las Vegas, New Mexico. on the afternoon of July 4. This an- nouncement was made last night by Jack Curley. promoter of the contest.
 Work on the arena, Curley said, will begin by May 1. Both Flynn and Johnson have agreed to be on the scene a month before the fight. Cur ley said that Johnson already had begun light training and that Flynn will start active work soon.
 Santa Fe, N. M, April 1S-The House yesterday passed the Tripp Prize Fight bill by vote of 2s to IT. The measure permits forty-five round contests and legaHzes the pro- posed Johnson-F1ynn fight in Las Vegas on July A.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
Most Accurate Sporting News
BIRDIE CREE ILL
 NOW IN HOSPITAL
More Hard Luck For New York Ameri. cans Who Lose Best
 Outfielder

Old Hard Luck's big stick rapped Harry Wolverton's disjoipted New York Highlanders another knockout during yesterdays wet spell. "Birdie" Cree, the star left fielder and all- round champion of the Hilltop forces, became so ill that he had to be re- moved to a hospital. The physicians in attendance declare that the little fellow seems in for a siege of sickness. and that he will be lucky indeed if he Is able to play within the next two weeks. The nature of Cree's malady is a puzzler. He is affected with some sort of fever that fails to respond to treatment
 Crees loss at this time will be keenly felt. Owing to his extremely bad start in the race, Wolverton can hardly afford to lose the best batter of. his club.
 Cree has : not been half well all spring. He contracted a severe cold in Atlanta, and this was aggravated by the varying temperatures and weather experienced on the exhibition tour through the middle West.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
WHY RUBE WADDElL WAS
 LET OUT BY ATHLETICS
Monte Cross Says Players Refused to
 Stand for Eccentric TwirIer.

Are you wise to the real reason why Connie Mack fired George Ed ward Waddell?
 When the Rube was cut adrift by the lean manager of the Athletics. yarns were circulated about Wadden being On the downward path and Mack was eager to sell him at a fancy figure while the selling was good. Well. that's pure unadulterat- ed bunk Monte Cross has the cold facts of the case, which he tells as follows:
 During the fall prior to Waddell's sale by Mack, we were out on a barn. storming trip under the leadership of Harry Davis. The Rube was in the crowd. 1t was customary for Davis to give Rube g each night with which
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
CANNON HEARD IN
 DARDANELLES.

London, April 1s-Loyds received today a cable from their agent at the Dardanelles outlining an unconfirmed report that cannon firing was heard at the entrance to the straits. It was rumored that the Italian fleet was at tacking the entrance in an effort to force it's way into the Sea of Marmora and thence to Constantinople.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
POINTS OF INTEREST.
Exceptional Values

Exceptional Values in stylish trimmed dress hats and tailored hats at E. H. Dillon & Co.'S, 11O5 Main street.
 Special Low Prices on fresh sea food for Friday: Fresh shore haddock, fresh large roe shad, fresh large buck shad, cut shad, fresh steak cod, fresh native flatfish, open ed long clans, Long Island steamers, round clans in shell, baking clams. fresh salt water eels, green halIbut. Spanish mackerel, perch, striped bass, shad roes, shad, herring, live and boil ed Holsters. Bridgeport Public Mar ket and Branch, State and Bank streets East Main street.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

a bad man who had spent 10 years in Jail. Mains didn't dare leave the hU- tel until the squad left for home, three days afterward.
 Holyoke and New Britain will play two games in Holyoke Friday, which is Patriots Day. in Massachusetts.
 Shortstop Cabrera has informed the New Britain management that on &C., count of illness in his family he will be unable to leave Cuba until next week. Cabrera will bring Romanach, another Cuban inflelder, with him.
 The New Haven club has secured Catcher Nagle from the New Orleans, Southern association team. Clyde Waters won't report until June and Tolsdo, hasn't reported, so the Wings intend to be prepared.
 Rain. mixed with train wreck, played havoc with the ball schedule. yesterday, New York defeating Boston in the only game played in the cir cult.
 Hooks Wiltse of the Giants pitch ed his first game of the season and had the southpaw in good working order. The Giants battery also had their batting eyes tfimmed, getting more than half of their team mates hits.
 Manager Dahlen, of the Brooklyns, was suspended for three days for kicking. Looks as if the name Bad Bill' is sticking some.
 their star outfielder and batsman for a few weeks. Birdie Cree is suffering from fever and doctors say he will be unable to play for some time.
 Dan O'Neil, the Holyoke boss, says the New York Americans. He refus- the New oYrk Americans. He refus- es to mention names but a good be, would be that the man is Curry, who played in the Tri-State league last season.
 The Chicago White sox announce that Outfielder Matty Mcintyre who ing in Cuba, will get his old job and Mattick, who has been substituting will act as utility outfielder.
 The Brooklyn club has sent out, fielder Davidson to the Omaha, Wes- tern league club.
 Outfielder Johonston and Catcher Paulet who were sent to Providence by the Giants have been returned to McGraw. The players said Manager Lake had so many castoff Detroit stars at Providence that he wouldn't give the Giant youngsters a trial.
 President ORourke wrote to North ampton fans yesterday that they could not get into the Connecticut league this year. He said the Waterbury fans would not revive their franchise this season and that seven league club would be impossible. The Wa terbury fans have not abandoned the idea of getting the New Britain club to transfer, however, and are still trying to induce Owner Murphy to move to the Brass City.
 Pop Rising, the old Springfield star, is looking fine in practice at Lowell and is assured of making the New England league team.
 New York, April 1S-The Giants are scheduled to open on their owr grounds, this afternoon, but, this morning, it looked as is the Polo Grounds. would be soaked. A drizzl- ing rain was falling. If game is played, Brooklyn will be the Giants
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

Harry DAVIS, new manager or CieVe-
 land, has a wholesome respect for the
 Detroit Tigers. "As long as Cobb and
 Crawford are in .the lineup the Tigers
 will be savage beasts," opines liar
 ry.
 Neither is Davis picking any pennant
 winners. He says that is his opin-
 ion of nothing to do. But keep your
 eyes focused on Cleveland" advises
 the Nap leader. 'We will be in the
 hunt"
 Charley o'Leary. formerly of the
 Tigers, and Herman (Germany)
 Schaefer, both now with Washington
 are among the few men still playing who helped put the American League on it's feet. They used to be known
 as the Chicago Twins" Manager Clarke Griffith of the Washington Nationals will wield the axe on his talent when the team gets home. Among those carded for sep aration from Griff's staff are Tom Long, Paul Musser. Guy Johnson and one or two others.
 Manager Hugh Duffy of the Milwau-
 kee Club has made Manager Griffith
 an offer of $1,000 for Kid E1berfeld. Interest in the American League is centered ou the coming series be- tween the Red Sox and the Athletics, In Boston they are optimistic enough
 to predict that Jake Stahrs clan will beat the worlds champions out for
 the flag, if-well, if they just happen to do it.
 And at that Connie Mack has no lease on either the American League pennant or the worlds championship. Greater men than Connie Mack and
 bigger machines than the Athletics have bit the dust before this Ma
 poleon had Waterloo. The Phillies are the last word in an ill-luck team. Magee, Lobart, Walsh and Killifer, are nOn-combatants and Chalmers and Alexander, two main
 stays in Dooin's pitching corps. are ill. All of which did not impede their pro- gross against Brooklyn. To date Hank O'Day, the Cincinnati pilot has been true to his avowed principles He has not yet been re- ported as villifying an umpire. But the season is young.
 Attendance figures have been leap | ing up on the Pacific coast. The first seven games between San Francisco and Oakland in the Pacific Coast Lea que QTeW Oo,UUV paid duIuiSSiO1lS. The liveliness of the cork centre l ball has evidently been reduced. There have been no exceptionally large scores due to heavy hitting, such as | marked the early part of last season. | Jack Quinn gave the great Walter J Johnson a battle that was worthy of | the name of pitchers duel at the hill | top on Monday. He is the first of | the Yankee twirlers to show real form. Matty's showing aginst Boston is no reason for apprehension. Matty 1 comes through slowly, but he sure | does come.
 The Polo Grounds will stage no such scenes on it's opening as marked the | inaugural day at Washington Park. It is worthy of notice that Boston and Brooklyn are still some distance from last place.
 | The Dodgers have given baseball a
 new meaning in Brooklyn. There is l hope in the borough now that the club will land permanently in the first di- I vision.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Rehearsals for the Dickens plays to be given at Warner hall, April 29, under the auspices of Mary Sflliman Chapter, D. A. R.. are being held daily. The plays are to be "A Game of Cribbage'', "A Christmas Carop', and "The Old Curiosity Shop
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
OBITUARY

The death of Ella A.. widow of Henry E. Batchelor, formerly of this city, ard active in the affairs of the Womens Relief Corps, brought sor- row to a large number of friends. She died at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Olin Clark, Hartford, Monday evening. The funeral will be hG14 b Milford tomorrow
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
HOWLAND's
Tine weather for ra1ncOatS.

Man without a raincoat nowadays seems to be much in need of friend. -. That friend is right here---and IS to be had for as little as $3.
 *@ Pick a fine one, if you like, with in- laid velvet collar, coat of tweed style, for $l250.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
NATIONAL LEAGUE. Yesterdays Results.

New York, 4; Boston, 1.
 The BrooklynPhiladelp game was postponed on account of rain, and the Cincinnati-Chicago game was postponed because the Chicago team was delayed by a train wreck.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

Some men are born absent minded,s some achieve absent mindedness, others have ab- sentmindedness thrust upon them.
 And then again
 Mems morals are rather lax in the matter of umbrel- las
 Many a man who wouldn t steal a dollar would run off with another mans umbrel- la
 for which he paid us a dollar. Get one of your own Lisle, Mercerized, Silk with handsome handles from $1 to $5.
 If you have another man s umbrella he is at least en- titled to your sympathy. ~FoSrER.eESsE co. [, els"srss sse4,E nsfEEx .s eyr"rru~ '
 & eNlooEpoNT. coFata.
 OPERATING At STOReO,
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
Wben you feel s5ssss5agsa. sdsssss5: gs7.

vous, tired. worried or Respondent it is sure sign you need MOTIFS NERVERINE PILLS. They renew the normal vigor and make life worth living. Be sure and ask for Motts Nerverine Pills Price Pr ;e.o :l;oo WILLIAMS MFG. CO. Prop.. Cleveland. Ohio
 For sale by Jennie Hamilton Phar- macy.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
AMERICAN LEAGUE. Yesterdays Results.

The New York-Washington, Phila- delphia-Boston, Chicago-Detroit and Cleveland-St. Louis games were post poned on account of rain.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
Standing of the Clubs.

Games Today. Brooklyn in New York. Boston in Philadelphia. Cincinnati in Chicago. St Louis in Pittsburg.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
suit time, too.

But only because of the suits that are to be bought at $l250 Yes, regu- larly $2O to $25---and mostly from Kup- penheimer.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

Next Wednesday evening the Knights of Columbus will hold a La dies Night in their rooms in the New field building. The entertainment committee has arranged an enjoyable program for the affair.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

If . freak garment shocks woman ahe'n wear 1t sooner or later.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
Mrs. Katherine Lammerhert

Mrs. Katherine Lammerhert of Bridgeport was elected president at the meeting yesterday of the State Rebekah Assembly, I. O. O. F. The session was held in Odd Fellows hall in Broad street, and delegates were present from all the cities in the State, represented in the assembly.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
Standing of the Clubs.
Games Today.

Games Today. New York in Boston. Philadelphia in Washington. Cleveland in Detroit. Chicago in St. Louis.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

It is worthy of notice that Boston and Brooklyn are still some distance from last place.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

The Polo Grounds will stage no such scenes on it's opening as marked the inaugural day at Washington Park.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
THE ROWLAND DRY GOODS co.
BIG LEAGUE GOSSIP

Harry Davis. new manager of Cleve- land, has a wholesome respect for the Detroit Tigers. "As long as Cobb and Crawford are in .the lineup the Tigers will be savage beasts" opines liar ry.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

The Dodgers have given baseball a new meaning in Brooklyn. There is hope in the borough now that the club will land permanently in the first di- vision.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

scheduled to open on their own grounds, this afternoon, but, this morning, it looked as if the Polo Grounds, would be soaked. A drizzl- ing rain was falling. If a game is played, Brooklyn will be the Giants opponents.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18
BROWN, MAH0NEY AND HAFEY
 RELEASED BY BRIDGEPORT
Ray Kea1ing Of This Ciy To Pitch Opener
 For Lawrence

a bad man who had spent 10 years in jail Mains didn't dare leave the hu- tel until the squad left for home, three days afterward.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

Matty's showing aginst Boston is no reason for apprehension. Matty comes through slowly, but he sure does come.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

Manager Clarke Griffith of the Washington Nationals will wield the axe on his talent when the team gets home. Among those carded for sep aration from Griff's staff are Tom Long, Paul Musser. Guy Johnson and one or two others.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

Pop Rising, the old Springfield star. is looking fine in practice at Lowell and is assured of making the New England league team.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

WANT ADS. CENT A WORD.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-18

Neither is Davis picking any pennant winners. He says that is his opin- ion of nothing to do. But keep your eyes focused on Cleveland" advises the Nap leader. "We will be in the hunt"