The Detroit times., 1915-01-01
THEOLOGICAL STUDENT
NOW PROMISING FIGHTER
Sammy Taylor, Local Light
weight, Once Studied For the
Priesthood
WAS LATER TEACHER IN
SOCIAL CENTER HERE
Then Went Into Vaudeville
First Fought to Avenge Insult
To Hostess
BY HAROLD v. WILCOX.

BY HAROLD v. WILCOX.
II Sammy Taylor the promising De
troit lightweight, ever becomes prom
inent enough to challenge the contin
lied efforts OF American sport scribes
they will unearth in him mine oil
features that the most rayenous type
writer's will be unable 10 exhaust
Moreover, IL a picturesque past has
anything TO do with determining the
success OF pugilist, Sammys future
is assured.
The first Is years OF our hero's life,
spent in the coal and iron region OF
Pennsylvania, were more or less un-
eyentfuL In the six years since then
Taylor has, among other things,
studied tor the priesthood, taught IN
social centers, starred as an acrobat,
gymnast and wrestler, and successful
ly performed in vaudeville lie first
donned boxing gloves 10 ayenge an
insult to himself and his hostess al
Detroit social gathering, Nov he is
the most promising young pugilist dis.
covered i'm Michigan since the days
when AID Wolgast hoped freight
trains to beat his way 10 fights where
he was scheduled TO ring up the cur
tain.
Pater Grabosky--yes, that is his
real name-sent Sammy 10 the Holy
Ghost college in Pittsburgh TO study
for the priesthood. when the boy was
but Is years of age The youthful
Pole was interested in HRS studies,
and might now have been putting the
finishing touches on a splendid eccles-
iastical education, had nor he met
Ath hA had IN 40 far
and half dollars to spend on shows"
as Sammy puts IL. Young Grobosky
had often passed the piayhouses. and
noted the big posters outside, but ne
had never given them much attention
before. But one day he succumbed TO
the lure OF the movie, and after that
he was all attention. He didn't re-
turn TO college for a week or more.
With the aid Of his new companions,
he went on a movie spree. Then
Pater Grabosky heard how his son had
erred and took him home.
''No more college for such a boy, "
quoth pop anr Sammy turned his at
tentIon TO the gymnasium OF the Po-
lish Turner's, which was located near
his home. There he soon acquired
skill in all sorts OF gymnastics and
splendid wrestler. At that time he
weighed about 1875 pounds. five pounds
less than his present fighting pound
age.
Soon after all these happenings.
Taylor's father came 10 Detroit, and
finding work at local automobile fac.
tory, sent for his family. That was
n nuf four uaara Ian,poy onnp
turned his gymnastic knowledge TO
good use here by accepting a posi-.
tion as an athletic instructor at the
Greusel school evening social center.
There he had classes in wrestling, &C.
robatics. turning and all sorts of gym.
nastics. Frequently he engaged in
exhibitions himself at the Greusel cen.
ter and at Central, Eastern and Cass
high schools.
Then our hero had humorous
streak and turned tramp comedian.
His ability as an acrobat proved val
liable, and a year or two ago he ap.
reared In 81 Detroit playhotses. He
now carries with him a post card
photo of his makeup, and ii is gorge.
Gus enough tc make any crowd howl
with joy. But Sammy says life on the
stage is poorly paid dogs life,'
and he deserted II for the gymnasiums
again.
That brings us up TO little more
than year ago, and il is nearly time
to make boxer OF Taylor. One day
he was invited to little social gath.
ering in his neighborhood The fem
ininity Of the occasion served ice
cream. ano curing the consumption OF
refreshments. large youth, known as
Happy" took ii upon himself 10 take
liberties with Sammy's cap. The cap
ultimately fell into plate of ice
cream. ,to the great embarrassment OF
both Sammy and his hostess and Tay
lor decided that the outrage demanded
satisfaction on the field of honor. He
didn't make scene, though. Just IN
formed the distributor that they
would meet later.
And meet they did. Ii was in the
gymnasium where Sammy had beer
wont 10 teach the youth OF the neigh
borhood the srt Of physical achieve
ment. Two days after the party. Sam
my put on gloves for the first time
in his whole life, and knocked out
Happy" In short order. II was 9
notable triumph, and Taylor's friend.
insisted that he was cut out to BE- q
great fighter.
The smack Of the gloves and the
thrill Of fstic encounter fascinated
Sammy. So did the tales OF fortune.
won In the ring. On the spot. he ut
terly abandoned wrestling and gym
nastics, and devoted every available
moment to learning 10 make the
big mitts perform as he willed
One day he and Joe Sheri
dan were sparring at Al Days club
Billy Rocks and Ed Glassco were
there. and one OF them suggested thai
in their immediate presence was mate
rial for a fast Windsor preliminary
The suggestion was put TO vote and
carried. and the match was made
Tknt was just q wear ago Sammy
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