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

Greggains was his own master OIL
ceremonies, as we'll as his own referee.
When 4 scrapper did well Alec was all
smiles. When one "dogged II" Alec
promptly hustled him 10 the dressing
room. had him jump into his street
clothes. soaked him one for luck with
his own big nam OF a fist. and kicked
him out through the door that led
through the back room to the street.
and fighter who didn't fight to suit
Alec never saw the inside OF Alec'sl
club again. The result was that when
Greggains put on eight or 10 bouts of
ar evening every one was fight You
can understand that to make sensa-.
ton among the people who attended
Alec's club newcomer would have
to be something of a scrapper.
Politicians Patronized the Club.
Billy Britt it was who told me about
Attell "A messenger boy who looks
Ike worlds champion. said Britt,
ell excitement He's going to 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 ard
found ourselves IN 4 narrow passage
way. We were under plank blezeners
built back from the ring TO the ceiling.
Overhead feet scuffled. The smoke
laden air was filled with the mgrmur
of waiting crowd. We found way
in a narrow, twisting entrance that
led to dark hall that was veritableI
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.
Looking around, was surprised TO
see what manner of men We're 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-not on official bust.
ness. but just to see bunch Of real
fights. There were number OF bust
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 hung q
heavy. blush haze. | couldn't see any
windows. There were only the two
loors-the narrow entrance, the pri-
yate exit to the barroom. The air was
hot and stirling.
Atteli's Debut in San francisco.
In the first bout, If ! remember
right. Greggains wasn't satisfied. He
escorted one unwilling boxer to the
rear and, we saw him no more. In
moment Alec Came back. bringing Al
second fighter to face the one already
in the ring. Several hard fights, and
then there was hush Of expectancy
Finally a broad, husky, tow-headedl
youngster 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, why, dark-skinned boy
slipped in and, taking the opposite cor.
ner, looked across the ring at the tow
headed one with a fixed and menac-
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 a look of disdain at the dusky
youth in the other corner. then started
slowly toward him. My next is CT the.
first glance at Attell, who had risen
and seemed to be gathering himself
together like a cat about to spring.
the little Hebrews eyebrows were
drawn to a straight black line. There
was look of eagerness on his face.
His why muscles stood out clear un-
der the glare of the arc light over
head.
As the tow-head moved .Attell fairly
leaped 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 smack on
the ow-head's jaw. And he went down
so hard that it sounded as if some
one 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
treatment 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 At
tell. didn't | tell you he was a
III mn, - l