The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-26
.Jem Ward, Famous Old
 Time Fighter, Born on {
 .'Roxing Day" if Years Ago


 Boxing Day the twenty sixth of December. bears no relation to the noble art" but is So called because of collections from Ghristmas boxes among the poor on that day. Never theless 1t was quite appropriate that one of the greatest and most Scten- tific fighters of the Fnineteeuth cen- tury was born on that date just 11A years ago today. Jem Ward has had few if any superdoFs. both as boxer and fighter, In the history of the ring. While he never fought in America,
 he spent several years on this side of the Atlantic, and for a time was a popular idol among the New York sports.
 Ward was born in England, near Bow but both his parents were Irish. His father was a laborer, who earn ed 8 living by loading coal on beard ships, and lem took up the same oc- cupation when old enough. His nickname of "The Black Diamond. . which stuck to him all his life, was gained while following this humble oGc upation. lem was well educated and in his youth developed fond ness for painting which. if developed. might have made him a great art- list. lem always liked to dabb1e with the brush, and some of his paintings won praise from artists of distinction. Being Irish, the fighting blood was in his veins, and as a lad he boxed with his companions, using stuffed stockings as gloves. After several un- iInplortant bouts. he whipped Dick Acton, good fighter, in 1922. Then
 he nearly ruined his career by quit ting in a fight with Bill Abbott. The fake which IeYn finally confeesed 1 was so fragrant that. Ward was ex- pelled from the Pusalisttc Club. Ills regret was so sincere that after a.
 time he was taken back into the good graces of the sports. and in 1925. af- 1 ter several victories over other aspirants, he became the champion of England. In s1s27 he lost the title to Peter Crawley, but the latter was ed the honors rather than fight Ward again. Tn 1928 he defeated Jack Carter and was again proclaimed champion. Ward again fell into dis
 repute by engaging In another fake; and for a second time was ruled out l deep disgrace. lem was given another
 chance to redeem his bIackened rep-
 utation; and was permitted to fight Simon Byrne, the Emerald Gem. ss Ward defeated the game Irishnan,
 and for the third time was presented with the zchampionship belt.ss Jerl then held the title until 1888, when
 he retired and handed over his belt
 to Bendigo.
 For several years after quitting the l ring lem was a tavern keeper in
 Liverpool and London, but he was a poor business man, and all his ven- ] lures failed In 1858 he decided to try his luck in the New World. and sailed for New York. The Black Dia- mond was given a rousing reception lin the American metropolis John Morrisseys member of theI;Untted
 States Congress- and former champion of America, took the distinguished
 visitor under his wing. and for a time
 Je1nss address was No i Easy street.
 Politicians. writers. artists and men | Of wealth were among Jesn's friends. land lem realized a small fortune from a benefit given for him. Fame is a tickle jade. however, and grad uaIly Wards popularity waned, and
 he returned to England with no more
 money than when he left that coun- try.
 For a time poor old Jem fought a losing fight against poverty, but al length he had to seek refuge in a
 home foreoId fiquor dealers. There he spent his last years. in happiness
 and comfort. He died thirty years
 ago. in 1884. in the eiEhty-fourth l year of his age.