davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
ANNIVERSARIES
 OF RING BATTLES

1890 = Johnny LaVack defeated Willie McNa11y in 19 rounds at Sagi- nav, Mich. LaVack, a little French Canadian, a native of Montreal, start ed his ring career with that battle. Lavigne, who was also of French Canadian descent, fought his first bat tie, with George Siddons in Saginaw, so that that Michigan city witnessed the ring debut of two of the best box CTS of their time. LaVack was never recognized as featherweigKlt cham pion, although he beat most of the best men of his time, and was never knocked out. Tommy Dixon and Oscar Gardner were the only boys who ever bested the Frenchman, and then it was by such a narrow margin that many thought LaVack was entitled to a draw. Johnny was about as clev- CT as they make 'em, but lacked a. punch, so in his bouts with top-notch- CTS he usually got a draw. Among those with whom he fought drawn contests were Solly Smith, George Sid
 my Dixon, Joe Bernstein and Jack McCle11and. Most of Johnny's bouts were staged in New York and Ohio cities, and he was a great favorite with the fans in Cleveland, Toledo, Columb bus, Rochester and Buffalo. His longest bouts were a 25-round af- fair with Tommy Dixon in Rochester and his 2o-round battle with Austra- Han Billy Murphy in Lexington, Ky.s both ending in draws.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
Pitcher Charley Hall Former Red Sox, To
 Be Tried in St. Louis

St. Louis, Feb. 26-When Charley Hall was in the big show with the Boston Red Sox, he was known for two things-a voice that could wake the echoes and scare little children out of their afternoon maps a mile away from the ball yard, and an ability for work that made him a real iron man. He comes back with his vocal organs unirnpaired and, so the hope of Manager Miller Hugins runs, the same old ability for work. Hug gins gives him his opportunity by talk ing him from the St. Paul Association team, to which he was sent by the Boston Red Sox two years when that club was making changes that are not port of this story.
 Huggfns is so confident that Hall will come back that he gives trio of good players for him in exchange and CharIey's work last season with the Saints indicates Huggins has made good guess He worked in about 40 games for the Saints and his record shows 24 won and ten lost. Hali is no spring chicken. but he is of the sort that age does not tarnish and a dozen years in the game have only ripened him to his prime. Nor does he need nursing in the early spring to fit him for his work.
 The Cardinal manager already has stated that he expects Hall to be one of his early dependables, holding up the team until such delicate machir-9 cry as Sa11ee and Doak can get going. The Roaring Sea Lion'' is the sort of ball player the fans 1ike-husky, and handsome? We'll, everybody does not agree on what handsomeness in the masculine is, but anyway, Friend Charley is no vvrist-watch guy, let the ladies make note of that.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
FEW CHANGES M FOOTBALL RULES
 COMMITTEE SAYS

New York, Feb. 26-Few if any fundamental changes in the rules Of football will be made for 1916 if the forecast made last night by B. K H. Hall of Dartmouth, Chairman of the committee, comes true.
 The committee went into confer ence at the Biltmore early in the ev- ening, and aIthoug-1 discussion be- hind the closed doors waxed loud and long, MT. Hall announced at t o'clock that little real constructive work had been done and that there would be no announcement Of the decision of the committee on the var ious suggestions placed before it un- til tonight.
 One of the first things the com mittee did when it came together was to organize for the year. This was simply a formaIity, for MT Hall was reelected Chairman without dis senting voice, and Walter Camp Of Yale, for many years Chairman of the committee and elected to life membership last year, was named Secretary.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
ITHACA ANXIOUS TO STAGE
 BIG HUDSON ROWING RACES
English Race Track Followers Expect To Resume
 Operations This Year

New York, Feb. 26-A1though the stewards of thet Intercollegiate Row ing Association have not as yet de- cfded definitely upon either the Poughkeepsie or Ithaca course for the 1916 regatta, Cornell authorities have outlined the possibilities of Ca yuga Lake as the scene of the inter cdIleg%ate crew races. From the spec tators standpoint observation car fa- cilities can be provided for. as many persons at Ithaca as on the Hudson river stretch.
 At Poughkepesie a train of 39 gon- dola cars has been provided in past years, s6 of which were for the use of spectators, including thess general public alumni and undergraduates of the colleges interests in the regatta. Each car will seat abeute10o persons. In recent seasons the dual and tri- angular races at Ithaca, in which Cor nell eights have rowed against Yale, Princeton and Harvard crews, have. filled observation trains of equal size
 The railroad tracks parallel the lake shore and the view of the row ing races is excellent, the crew near est &he bank being less than hun dred feet away from the observation train No buildings or woodland ob- struct the view at any point alng the
  course and there are vantage points along the high banks for thousands who prefer them to the rolling grand stand.
 Fifty thousand spectators is the maximum gathering at Poughkeepsie as estimated by many close followers of intercollegiate rowing and it is thought that the regatta by many close followers of intercollegiate row ing and it is thought that the fegatta on Cayuga Lake would draw this many if not more. With Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pitts burgh and other large cities to draw from any falling off in the attendance from New York, Philadelphia and Hudson river towns will be fully met A majority of this throng would arrive by special excursion trains during the, day of the race but Ithaca can ac- cornmodate the usual night-before ar rivals.
 Training facilities for the cdmpet-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
Cornell Remains Tn
 Basketball Race By
 Beating Columbia Five

New York, Feb. 26-Columbia fn- isfed its home season last night in. the Intercollegiate Basketball League as it began it six weeks agoAwfth an overwhelming defeat. Cornell was the opponent of the badly. battered Blue and White five, and when the ancient rival got through froicking around the Morningside. Heights gymnasium Columbia had been. buried under by a score of a6 to IS. It was the worst defeat Coach Fishers charges have suffered to date,> and showed Cornell to be the dark horse in the race
 The Ithacan team passed with such lightning speed that it had Columbia bewildered. Long passes with lots of steam behind them resulted in goals from field whenever a member of the big Red team felt like dropping one in Murray Shelton, the Cornell football star, was a jealous and deadly shooter He caged six baskets before he was taken out to give Roth a chance to show himself. Near the end of the game Coach Sharp had a team of sub- stitutes with the exception of Captain Brown. {
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
BUD PALMER AND
 KUNZ TO BE ON
 CLOVER A.C. CARD

s The matchmaker of the Clover A. C.. will probably have Bud Palmer and Battling Kunz as the attraction for the senni-fna1 bout in the show to be staged here March 2. These boys have met before and have always furnished a thrilling scrap. Kunz has g. bunch of. followers in South Norwalk who will probably on hand to cheer him.
 It is settled that the main bout will have Battling Levinsky and Wild Burt Kenney as opponents. Dan Morgan signed articles yesterday for Levinsky and Matchmaker Lee of the C1overs will have a conference tonight with McMahon Bros. of New York, who represent Kenny.
 F. F. She who conducts the Park theatreS had a. talk this afternoon with the Glover officials There has been talk of engaging the Park theatre for the scene of the show and if terms can 17He arranged the playhouse will be en- gagged
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
Kirkpatriek Winner
 of Heavyweight Title
 Among Harvard Boxers

Cambridge, Mass, Feb. 26.-O. G. Kirkpatrick of San Antonio Tex, and prominent as a weight thrOwer while at Phillips Exeter Academy, became the heavyweight champion of Harvard University last night when he forced J. L. BigeIpw of the football squad to quit in the second round of a three round bout in the finals of the college boxing tournanhent.
 Two championships were won dur ing the evening by A. J. Weatherhead, who played, end on the varsity foot ball eleven Weatherhead not only won the finals in the 158 pound class when he got the decision over R. Cobb a man of his own weight, but he took on a heavier man in the 175 pound class, and in the finals was awarded the victory over P I. Hartley
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26

ing colleges, which would probably include Columbia, Pennsylvania, Syr-
 acuse, Cornell, Leland Stanford and possibly one other Pacific coast crew,
 are fully equal. to those offered by the
 Poughkeepsie course. There is a 40-
 mile stretch of water for long work
 outs, some miles of which are pro-
 tected by a high shore line affording
 smooth water even in a stiff blow. In
 calm weather the entire lake is avaiI- able for practice.
 Shell quarters could be provided by the boathouses of the Cornell Navy, the Intercollegiate Rowing Club and Cascadilla School. A shore hotel and private cottages. scattered along the lake, could. be hired for, the .oarsmen while in training affording accomno- dations for shells and the necessary culinary departments. As a result of this ,stock-taking Cornell authorities are convinced that the regatta can be staged satisfactorily on Cayuga Lake.
 The matter is, however, entirely in the hands of the Board of, Stewards of the !. R. A., and the Ithaca Uni yersity rowing officials will not make any effort to secure the regatta leav- ing the final decision to the associa- tion If the four-rnile Poughkeepsie course is selected, Cornell will be thoroughly satisfied; if the three-and- a-quarter mile stretch at Ithaca is named Ithaca town and gown will en- deavor to make the enforced absence from the Hudson next June p1eas- ant departure in the history of the famous college regatta
 English ! turf followers are of the opinion that the coming season will see an increase in the racing. schdule for while the Jockey clubs request for further facilities for the 1916 sea son has not yet been acted on, but the feeling is strong that the govern ment will not put any obstacles in the way of some bright turf sport. If Austria could have a season during the past year, argue the sporting men, then surely England ought to keep up it's traditional sport. They further the argument of the service of the track in breeding thorough breds, which play an important part in thep reduction of the best class of cavalry and artillery remounts.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
Schmidt Quit Braves
 To Be Near His Baby
(sportfng News }

That even a butcher ball player may have sentiment in his soul is indicated in the case of Charley Schmidt of the Boston Braves, who, in giving his req sons for retiring from the game says it is because he can't stand to be away for long periods from a young butcher who rules the Schmidt household in Baltimore. This youngster, who has seen some four or five springs, tells Papa Schmidt: t'I don't like MT. Sta11- ings because he won't let you stay home and play wiv me-
 Whereupon Papa Schmidt declares he doesn't like it either, and hence forth means to stay home so that Youngster Schmidt can always have his big playmate of a father at hand. Since Papa Schmidt can afford it-he Mas a flourishing business in Balti- more-who can blame him? It's a poor sort of a dad who would leave his kiddies just from choice when they make such an appealing plea for his companionship. Butch Schmidt, if he sticks to his plans, will be missed in baseball, but the fans can spare him better than Youngster Schmidt, no doubt.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
JESS WILLARD TO
 RE TIRE WITHIN 2
 YEARS, HE STATES

New York. Feb. 26--Jess Willard. the worlds champion heavyweight pugi1ist, arrived here from Chicago yesterday to begin training for his ten-round bout against Frank Moran at Madison Square Garden on March 25. The big cowboy boxer still has a' touch Of neuralgia and slight cough as the result of his recent illness. The aiIment, however, is only slight. and he expects to start work at once.
 Willard has taken a, suite of rooms at the Hotel Colonial, at Eighty-first Street and Columbus Avenue, which is close to Central Park. The cham pion expects to take long walks or romps through the park every morn ing about 9 o'clock.
 Willard's chief sparrfng partner will be Walter Monohan of Los Angeles. The champions principal boxing bouts in the gymnasium will be with the Californian. A1onohan has had wide experience in handling sparFing partner for Jack Johnson, who was beaten for the title by Will lard.
 Besides his retinue of managers, trainers. rubbersN and sparring part ners, Willard also carries a secretary. He is the first pugilist whose corre- spondence anad business affairs were so extensive that he had to employ a secretary. Willard has surrounded himself-wtth a complete staff, so that he does not have to do anything but fight.
 Willard says he is feeling fine, and. he looks it. He says he weighs about 260 pounds and will take off only about 10 or 12 pounds for the bout He stated yesterday that he made 23S pounds for the Johnson fight, but could never make that weight again, f1a has filled ont dara 61v since winning the champi onship.
 Willard and his party were met at the train yesterday by Tex Rickard. It was the first time that the promot- CT had seen the champion. and he was duly impressed with his rosy checks, boyfsh face and Hercu1ean build.
 willard announced yesterday that in two years he would retire from the ring. He is now willing to meet any of the heavyweights and at present thinks that Moran is the best one in sight
 q am willing said Willard, 'sto meet any one the public suggests. Within the next two years I will take on any and all of the heavyweig ghts lose the championship within that time or not, I expect to retire for good. I don't think the public would care to see neAbox a small man like Dillon. Tn fact, think it would have bad effect on the boxing game. If the public demands that I meet him. however, am willing to do SO.
 s.I draw the color line absolutely" said Willard. q do not believe in mixed bouts. There are plenty of white men who can box or who can be developed into good boxers with out having bouts between negroes and white men. I think the rule they have here prohibiting mixed bouts is a good one.'
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
TRANCE IS IN GRIP
 OF BIG SNOWSFORM

Paris, Feb. 26-Heavy snowstornzs prevail today throughout France with the exception of the south hern dis tricts Railroad traffic and tele- graphic communication have been in terrupted. Lyons and other cities which have been noted for mild eli mate are covered with snow several inches deep for the first time in many years In the departments of Drome, Ardeche. Savoie and Isere the snow in many instances is several feet deep.
 Communication with Ita1y is re- tarted on account of heavy snowfall in the districts leading to the tan nela and reports from Switzerland state that similar conditions prevail on the Mt. Gothard line.
 In Paris, owing to the dearth of la= Dor, the snow could not be cleared off the streets promptly and it has interfered with business traffic. In several quarters loaded trucks have been left standing in the streets. drivers having removed the horses when 1t was found that,sfurther pro- gress could not be made.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
JOE WOOD ANGRY
 AT RED SOK BOSS
 DEMANDS RELEASE

New York, Feb 42e-1t has been established that the NRed Sox some time ago asked for waivers on Joe Wood, Thomas, Cady and Ray Col- lins. The waivers, it is understood, have been obtained. Wood is in town and he is sore over being re- garded as a has-been ,
 .sI feel that I am still as good as ever. but evidently the Red Sox man agement has different ideas,'' said Joe. aI wish they would let me go chance to show whether VI was gone orr not-''
 It is understood that Joe will be taken to Hot Springs, and that if he is not in form he will be sent to Buff faIo. Marty McHa1e, the Yankee who escaped being sent to Kansas City by arranging terms with the Red Sox, is also headed for thes hores of Lake Erie.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
SAYS
 TANKS HAVE GOOD
 CHANGE FOR FLAG

Macon, Feb. 26-George ,staIlings, manager of the Boston Braves, drop pedaoff here for a few hours early yes terday. He came back from a two day hunting trip with Cap Huston at Brunswick. The Miracle Man is sure one-two-three club this sea- son..
 t1f the Yankees get the breaks this year, look for them to finish close to the top,'' Stallings said. Tn fact. I believe they have good chance of winning the pennant. figure the Red Sox and Tigers are hard to beat bIesorne. But I don't see where these clubs have anything on the New York team"
 Donovan has a great pitching staff. Caldwell is one of the great est pitchers in the game and Fisher is a tip-top hurler.N Then these Yankee youngsters are Agoing to cause a, lot of trouble for opposing clubs.
 t'Pippf fsh owed much promise at first base last season. Mullen and Gez deon will take care of second should Lee Magee be shifted to the outfeld. Surely, there isn't a better fielding shortstop in the country than Peck ispaugh. And he will hit better this year. 6ak0r OuSII LC nave d SISdI year He is one of the most natra1 batters that eyer played baseball. He will bat home as many runs as any other player
 And the Yankees have some out field! Magee is a corker. Gi1hoo- ley looks to be a find. He had a sore arm when he was with the Yam kees before, but I know that the arm is all right now. He is fast on the bases; is a corking fielder. and look for him to hit 300.
 4sMaisel will be a better outfelder than he was a third baseman. And he ain't bad third 'baseman, eith- er Hugheys High is a promising young outflelder, and I don't see how they are going to keep him from a regular berth. Then there is Tim Hendryx. from the Southern league. He practically won three pennants for New Orleans.
 1T don't know much about the Yam kee catchers. I would like to see Donovan get one old head in there behind the bat"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
.H0WIE BAKER NOT
 ON HAND TO TAKE
 TRAIN FOR MARLIN 5ssH-7 4-%

New York, Feb. 26-The first de- tachment of Giants, nine in number, to leave New York for Marlin Tex, embarked upon a Pennsylvania train yesterday morning and are now head ed for the training camp. The only veteran in the squad was Christys Mathewson, who is now entering his sixteenth season as a member, of the Giants. Matty is leaving two weeks ahead of time this year with the sole idea of foo1ing a lot of wise folks around here and elsewhere who are inclined to believe that he's all in as a big league pitcher. Mrs. Mathew son and his younS son, Christy IT,. left for the training camp with him.
 The youngsters to start the south ward Journey were Lew Wendell and G. E. Sandberg, catcher, natives of this city; Eddie Harrison, Charles and Merwin Jacobson, outfie1ders; Frank Kenney, the catch CT from Notre Dame, and Frank Hun ter and Walter Roesinge, both in fieIders.
 Howard Baker. the young third baseman drafted from the Southern Association last year, was schedu1- ed to go with the squad that left yesterday, but apparently lost his way in the big city, for when the train pulled out Baker was nowhere to be found Up to late last night John Poster secretary of the club, had received no word from the lost player.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
Lone Star Dietz Is
 Fine Football Coach
 and Best Clad Indian

William Dietz is his name in civil ization, but when he played on the Carlisle Indian football team years ago, he was Lone Star. Now he is coach of the Washington State Uni- versity which beat Brown New Years Day after trimming every team on the Pacific coast. Out there they call it the wonder team and are willing to back .Dietz's proteges against liar ward or Yale.
 Dietz, however. may be lost to football for he longs to star in the movies and is looking now for an en- gagement with a film concern At Carlisle Dfetz showed considera bIe talent as an artist and after his grad uation went to New York. where he set up a studio, but a romance in which white woman was concern ed upset his plans and he returned to football a coach .Dietz is prob ably the best dressed Indian. in Amer ica.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
~ ~ SPOiR5;Ti7 i5;i7' r LOOP x
AROUND THE

able to break the sheepsheads' win ming streak
 The New York Americans have sent InfieIder Frank Truesda1e to Toronto of the International league. When Chance was manager of the Yankees he bought Truesdale at a. big price but the player eould never hit in the American league.
 Connie Mack has signed three Tufts college players for his Athletics. They are Pitchers Krepps- and Whitaker and Outfelder. Westcott. Connie aI- ways liked the college boys.
 The Cleveland Americans are all ready cutting loose some of the dead wood, now that new owners have talk en charge. First Raseman Jay Kirke. Catcher Egan,e Pitcher Harstad~ and Outf1eIder Willie have been let out. Either Ivan Howard of the St. Louis Browns or Chic Gandil of Washington vii be secured for first base
 Hank Gowdy. the Braves, catcher. watched the Yankees practice yester- day and then remarked in classis Bos- tonese, Those boys can certainly click the appIe.''
 Martin Becker, whor played in the outfeld~ for the New London cham pions in 1914, has been sold to Toronto Of the International league by the Giants He was taken from Lewiston, Me, last. season but McGraw didn't think much of his hitting.
 It is said that one of the best pitch CTS in the Federal league has not yet been snAred by the major league bid ders- He is Gene Packard, the left handler who jumped from Cincinnati. Packard will probably be sold at auc- ton.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
UMPIRE PRAISES KAUFF.

Umpire Bill Brennan. who was in the Federal League last year, says Benny Kauf will make good with the Giants if confidence and nerve count. Brennan declares he has seen Kauff miss a ball by a foot and then stand up and kill the Esxt one Brennan recalls once when Kauff violated the rules by stepping across the plate and hitting the ball over the left fe1der's head for a home run. There was a howl when Benny was. called out.
 In comparing Kauff with Rousch, the outfelder secured by the Giants from the Newark Feds, Brennan says Kauff can hit the left handlers better. But Rousch is a remarkable fielder and ought to be a star under Me Graw's direction; Brennan states. Meanwhile Kauff hasn't signed a con tract with, the Giants and says he won't go to Marlin unless McGraw gives him a $5,00O bonus.
 There is a report that Joe Shugrue may yet return to the ring by appear ing in a boxing show to be given in this city March 20. Shugrue was given an ovation when introduced from the ring last Wednesday, night at the Casino. r4
 Three members of the Dartmouth hockey team were dismissed from the squad for going to a dance and re- maining until 10:s0. Such dissipation must be punished.
 The Sheepshead Bay five will dis play their wares before the basketball fans at Colonial hall next Tuesday night. The visitors already hold three decisions over the Blue Ribbons and very few fans think the locals will be
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-26
Burglars Get $7OO
 Worth of Jewelry

Jewelry bo the value of s700 was stolen from the home of Peter F. Rap pe1ine at 147 Beechnaont avenue when burglars entered the house in the ab- eence of the family early yesterday
 morning. They gained entrance by breaking the glass in a pantry win dow, and throwing the catch off the door, they entered the kitchen
 MT. and Mrs. Rappa1ine were visit ing at the home of PA+e- Canavari, keeper of 8. lunch room in State street. A ehi1d's bank containing $5 was also stolen by the burglars.