Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-21

~ with his face peerlng under the bottom
s.re. He was wildly excited and kept up
continuous chatter. Jack was annoyed,
= ere the spectators and when the round
~.s aver the referee called n cop.
,rrhrow out that fresh kid !" said Nc
ou,ran. "He yells so loud that II makes
~ nervous Lead him outside where he
esn shout until he gets tired7 l can't
stand Il here J"
17he policeman grabbed the boy and was
. shout 10 take him out when Jimmy Dunn,
xbo was one OF the boxers, intervened.
sIet that kid alone !" he shouted. Hes
an right He is with me and, anyway, he
4 nv manager. Better let him stay, Jack.
He will keep quiet
The boy was allowed TO stay, but he
nat on a muzzIe during the remainder of
the bout.
Introducing Johnny Kilbane
This was Johnny Kilbane's introduction
40 the fight fans OF Philadelphia. The
curly headed boy in short trousers came
here with Jimmy Dunn, then one of the
hest llghtweghts in the country, to see
his first big fight. He saw II. but grew
a excited that he almost was kicked out
AZ the club. Some introduction for the
hoxer who was destined to become feather
weight champion of the world
At that time Johnny weighed close to
100 pounds He was a frail, sickly looking
boy but showed in his actions while he
swung towel for Dunn that he was as
quick and active as a cat. He seemed to
be a bundle of steel springs.
KIlbane had been in the boxing game
only few months. He had appeared in a
couple of bouts in Cleveland. but little or
nothing was known of his prowess-if he
had any He was Jimmy Dunn's companion
more than anything else.
How Johnny Started
Every champion attributes something 10
Ms success. but Kilbane got his start in
the boxing game and became a title holder
because Jimmy Dunn did not care to stay
al alone in his training camp at Crystal
Beach. near Vermillon. o. Dunn was train
Ing for a fight and called up a friend in
Cleveland to send him a sparring partner.
On the day the sparring partner was
due this friend called UP on the phone and
said that his man had left town.
Haven't you any one else you can send?"
demanded Dunn.
Nobody but a kid. and I think he is too
small. replied the friend He wouldn't
be Of eny, use to you"
Send him anyway" retorted Dunn. I'm
tired Of sleeping in this place all alone
and anybody will be welcome. can keep
him as company until good sparring
partner cbmes along"
That afternoon Johnny Kilbane saw Jim
my Dunn for the first time, and he created
tnything but a good impression. His
snort trousers had seen sbetter days and
ne wore black shirt with a white bow
ue Two bags Of chewing tobacco, one in
ccn hip pocket, completed the picture.
Throws Away Tobacco
Dunn looked him over. then shrugged his
shoulders and told the newcomer to help
nm around the house. Jimmy was not SO
iat as he Is now and as in wonderful con-
uluon. Johnny saw picture Of health, and
heeplshly took both packages of tobacco
OUT OF his pocket and threw them into the
nke. He hasn't ,chewed since.
hiipane was around the camp for a week
es.ore ne got a chance to don the gloves.
ne accompanied Dunn on the road, how
wer, but found II impossible to go the full
Instance. Each night he would stagger into
me training quarters. nearly exhausted, and
& uy TO give Dunn a rundown. He worked
Until his tired arms dropped to his sides and
~en would throw himself on the bed, all in.
ponetimes he was too tired TO eat
inis remarkable show of courage at.
uxcted Dunn. and he decided to keep him.
mus a friendship which has lasted for
'ears was formed
Gets First Chance
After aweek Dunn decided to give Johnny
cnance with the gloves They boxed on
patiorm on the shores of Lake Erie with
~ one 70 look on. Kilbane sprung his first
,prise Just as they got started, when he
rsoea Dunn three times before Jimmy got
~ hanos up. He kept on jabbing. and
nsn Dunn tried TO land a blow Johnny
'n,ed out of danger. After this work
~ ~ Jimmy realized he had a very clever
IN MS camp. and spent all OF his spare
.s 'eAching him the finer points Of the
!, Dunn made some chalk marks on the floor
n. Le ring and taught Kilbane how TO
,reseep. II was the same as teaching
sr !" dance, and Johnny kept II up day
NM 'f uay until he mastered IT, He did not
~ on weight. but learned how TO jab,