The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-19
HEENAN MET
 HIS WATERLOO
 90 YEARS AGO

I was drugged' has long been the
 favorite alibf of defeated pugilists, but
 the first instance of such a claim be- ing set up may have had some truth in it Many old time ring followers
 on this side of the Atlantic believe that John c. Heenan was only telling the truth when he declared that his defeat by Tom King was due to pois- on. The memorable battle between the Irish-Am eriean giant, Heenan, and Tom King, for the championship and $10,000, was fought in England just half a century ago today, Dee. 19. 1863. The "Benicia Boy," as Heenan was popuIar1y known, fought game1y for twenty-four rounds. and was half killed before he was finally stopped by the Eng1ishman. Heenan's followers declared he had been poisoned, and it was generally agreed that the American seemed to be "doped."
 Heenan was a machinist before he took to the ring. and it was an en- counter with fellow workman which first gave him the idea of taking up the fighting game. He went to Eng land in 1880 and was matched with Tom Savers, 4l1e champion. Savers was comparatively light in weight, and only five feet eight, while Heenan was six feet one. The Englishman was clever, but he couldn't escape the Benicia Boys terrible punch, and was all but out when the police interfered. Heenan imagined that he was to be robbed of the victory, and, after knocking out the champions seconds and biffing the referee, he ran from the ring. Both men were awarded belts, although Heenan never got his, and, as Savers imm ediately announced his retirement from the ring, Heenan became the first American heavy weight champion of the world. His claim was disputed by Sam Hurst, who was whipped by Jem Mace, who in turn was licked by Tom King. The latter defended his title against Heen- an, who also claimed it, in the nenor- able battle of half a century ago. Mace got the title by forfeit, King re- fusing to meet him again.
 While in England Heenan married Miss Adah Menken, one of the most popular actresses of the day, and a great favorite with the nobility and literary lights, her friends including Alexander Dumas and Charles Dick ems. She soon tired of the pugilist and secured a divorce, and Heenan later married another English actress. Heenan's alibi in the King battle was imm ediately taken up by other ring performers, and ever since it has been the custom for boxers to remark be- fore a. fight, in the presence of the men. that they are feeling tdopey.'
 1887-Jake KiIrain and Jem Smith fought draw for $10,00O a side in France. This was one of the first inn portant boxing bouts ever held in France. A few months later John l.. Sullivan and Charley Mitchell fought their famous 39-round draw at Cham tilly, France. Jake Kilrain was the hero of many great battles, but the one best rem enlbered by the fans is the scrap with John L. at Richburg, Miss, in 1889. Jake and John had a hard time finding place to settle their difference of opinion, and it was only by selecting a bush league burg that they were able to meet at all. It took John L. seventy-five rounds to make Jake 'holler huff" Jake and John have since become firm friends, and have made several theatrical trips together. In 1890 Ki1rain fought Jim and was defeated in rounds.
 1863--Tom King defeated John Heenan in 24 rounds in England.
 1910-Johnny Coulon knocked out Earl Benning in 9th round at Mem phis.