Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-19
GARDENERS SCARCE
IN BOXING ANNALS
Tom Oliver, English Bare
Fistcr, One of Few Til
Icr-Fighters.

The ranks Of tho professional box
ers are recruited from all sorts ana
conditions Of men, following all SorVA
of trades. but It is remarkable now
few Of the Suns OF the soil nave ever
sought fame and money In the ring
butchers, sailors, newshoys. black
smiths. mechanics OF all sorts, bank
clerks and even boys educated for the
uulpit and the practice OF medicine,
have been humorous in the annals OF
the pusilistic sport The farm boy,
however. although he has won laurels
I'm every other profession. business ana
trpdc has very seldom manifested a
desire TO shine In the select company
of pugilistic stars.
As for gardeners, the only one to
toraake his Cabbages, peas, beans ihd-
ishcS and other garden sass 10 win
Immortality by punching the faces or
his fcllowmen was Tom, oliver. who
nourlshed nearly century ago Al
though never champion, the worthy
T,,n was long one of the leading lights
OF the British ring, and man whose
name will be remembered long after
many champion has been IorsoUen.
Il was Just l0i years ago today, on
January rs, 1911, that Tom had ms
introduction TO puglism. From ms
boy hood he had been gardener. anu
ia the society Of vegetables. fruits ana
Oowers his innate pugnacity remained
latent He was a. peaceful and quiet
a lad os could be found In England
,ntu that dav when. having nothing Ia
do. he decided TO attend prize hsht
which was 10 be pulled OF In town
I A few miles away Dan Dogherty and
/ George SilVerthorpe were the com
4 hatnuts. The curious and innocent
gardener vhatched them batter each
other for hours, until neither man
7 could dc more than stand on his feet
( SilNcrthorne had Just little more
stamina thln his opponent, and vas
Naauy declared the victor.
Bloody Battle.
This vas one OF the herCest and
,hIoodeSt battles ever fought. even IL
tNos, DAYS ~ bare knuckles and
Slaughtcr-housC rules, and one would
surpoSo that Tom Oliver would have
been shocked and horrided by the dis
plaN. NCt he when told that ~.
,crtlorre had received $500 for hn
IhoYt-vou victory. Tom decided tAei
and there that puglliSu was an eaSle'
WAY 60 make money than sardenihs
IIe turned Co friend and said.
80 that's 81 hat ye call proire-hSht
tiu' Is 3D. Why. deug me. 50 l don
.h,nk as 'ow ! could do q bit In thS
fc'u mcSylt'
The simple gsrdeners ambition Il
become a ighter aroused great dea
of rilicule. and a giant who had ha'
some l1vu experience LED iu chatun,
Tom. This made Tom hot under III
collar and he challenged his tor
mentor Co do battle They fought tn
next w,rU.rs. tOr tVo dollars a side
ana iu half an hour Tom had stretched
.is opponent on the turf. unconscious
Toms master. the market gardeneI
Thought he would discourage Tom u
hss rghuuc aspirations ey matchini
his with a professional of his a.
cualrarce. but Tom showed such nat
.Cral ability that the professional va
r.rS-d o. admiration " his rroweSs
Thereafter he became enc of the mos
pron,mc0t ~ English pugtlists an
after his retirement as 8 fighter n
was usually chosen 10 pitch the rim
aus make arranSem crts Tor nearly a.
fNN great fghtS Ia the country. Fo
more than half century after h.
debut a. bruiser Tom oliver Wa
.anNays among those present az an I'm
qorrant battle. and 20 the last he hei
A reputation for honesty and straieh
seahrE rot surpassed hy any othe
chsracfer IN puSiusuc hiStoD.
The Hardest Kind.
Its sssy enough - scQuirC an
3 hahit Unless rs a good one.