Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-02-20

al least of his money at the bar wasn't
overly popular with Alec.
Greggains was his own master of
ceremonies. as we'll as his own referee.
When a seTapper did well Alec was oil
smiles. When one logged IL" Alec
promptly hustled him to the dressing
room. had him jump into his street
clothes. soaked him one for luck with
bis own big ham of a fist. and kicked
him out through the door that led
through the back room to the street.
and a fighter who didn't fight to suit
Alec never saw the inside of Alec's
club again. The result was that when
Greggains put on eight or 10 bouts of
ar evening every one was a fight You
can understand that TO make a sensa-
ton among the people who attended
Alec's club newcomer would have
to be something of scrapper.
Politicians Patrouized the Club.
Billy Britt it was who told me about
.Attell. "A messenger boy who looks
Ike a Worlds champion" said Britt,
al excitement. He's going &c fight
again tomorrow night. Come along
and see him. tell you he's wonder. :
So ! went to Greggains' club With
Britt. We passed through the Narrow
entrance door on. the side street ind
found ourselves IN 4 narrow PASSAGE
way. We wee under plank blcScners
built back from the ring to the ceiling.
Overhead feet scuffled. The smoke.
laden air was filled with the mlrmur
of a waiting crowd. We found a way
in narrow, twisting entrance that
led to dark hall that was veritable
firetrap. Greggains recognized Britt
and found us seats where our legs
struck under the ropes and protruded
into the ring, which was on the floor
ITSELF.
see what manner of men were packed
into Greggains' backroom club. There
was a candidate for the office OF mayor
of San Francisco, with two or three
welLknown office holders. The coro-
ner was there-n0t on official BUSH
ness, but just to asee a bunch OF real
tights. There were number Of busE
ness men, some of them in silk hats.
And behind, on the sloping bleachers,
was crowd of men typical Of the dis
trict. The air was heavy with cigar
smoke. Under the arc lights hur1gga
heavy, blush haze. couldn't see any
windows. There were only the two
doors narrow entrance, the pri-
sate exit to the barroom. The air was
hot and sitting.
Attelps Debut in San francisco.
~ Il 1.<aF TIIllnr
right, Greggains wasn't satisfied. He
escorted one unwilling boxer to the
rear and we saw him no more. In q
Alec came back, bringing a
second fighter to face the one already
IN the ring. Several hard fights, and |
then there was hush of expectancy.
Finally a broad, husky, t0w-headed
climbed through the ropes
and staggered to the opposite corner.
Tough kid whispered Britt. He
works on.the waterfront and has been
licking everybody
A second later a black-haired, quick
eyed, muscular. wiry, dark-skinned boy
slipped in and, taking the opposite cor
ner, looked across the ring at the tow
headed one with fixed and meffac-
ing stare.
That's the messenger boy whis-
pered Britt
Whether the tow-headed one was
ever named in Attell's printed list of
victims or not Is of no importance.
Probably not And the ceremonies that
ushered in the fight make no part Of
ring history My first vivid recollec-
ton is of the tow-head rising at the
bell and throwing out his chest and
casting look of disdain at the dusky
youth in the other corner. then started
slowly toward him. My next is of the
first glance at Attell, who had risen
and seemed to be gathering himself
together like cat about to. spring. !
the little Hebrews eyebrows were
drawn tc a straight black line. There
was look of eagerness on his face.
His wiry muscles stood out clear I'M
der the glare of the arc light over
head.
AS the tow-head moved Attell fairly
ieaped at him. Greggains was Just
turning TO push water bucket back
beyond the ropes. The tow-head swung
his. right fist. And as he did Attell
swung with him. / don't know what
became Of the tow-head's punch At
tells landed--landed with a smack on
the tow-head's Jaw. And he went down
so hard that it sounded as If some
che had tossed sack of sand into the
ring from the gallery Greggains turn
ed around pushed Attell back and be-
gan to count. AS tow-head didn't get
up when the 10 was over Alec reached
for the bucket and threw the water On
him. which rough and ready first aid
brought him to in time 20
see Attell hope through the ropes ard
start grinning for the dressing room.
Say remarked Billy Britt, gazing
admiringly after the disappearing Att