Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-23
F|TzS|MM0NS DEAl
Former Ch a pin,
Heavyweight PugiE,
of World

Chicago, Oct. c?-Robert r,..
mons. former champion heavyws- &
pugilist of the world. died a. a NJ
pital here early today after an nj
or five days OF pneumonia.
The former champion was take,
last Tuesday while appearing 4,
vaudeville theatre and his AL.
was at first diagnosed as p,on,-i
poisoning. Later IL was discov,>T
that re was suffering from dops'
Cobar) pneumonia. and physician, !.
cIared that he could not live =.
day when he lapsed into unconsr,
Less, from which he did not rally u
cept at are intervals.
During the first days ~ his nl,,.
Fitzsimmons was the recipier, i
many messages from men who IA u
formerly net in the ring. inclus,1
James J.. Corbett. from whom no NJ
the championship. and James ! "
ferries. who took the title from him
Fought fer Life
Fitzsimnons. until he sank into d.
final stupor. fought for his ute a,
had fought for victory IN tho 49,.
Physicians declared life was nrol,.
cd several days by the grim de,er-
alton of the man
Mrs. FitZsimmons, who was WITH b.
husband during his illness. SuNersi .
nervous breakdown last Thursdsy A.
for q time. II was believed. Her .
dition was dangerous. but she som /,
covered and resumed her vigil a. i,
bedside.
Bob was a great fighter and s,y
husband" said Mrs. Fitzsimmons q.
worked hard on the theatrical rir,.
and 7 believe the exposure ho,aa-
the acts and the drafts which Nh,
through the wings caused HIS Hines,
Robert. Jr.. son OF the dead pue, g
is expected TO arrive here from N.-
York today.
FitZsimmons was horn IN Helf's-
Cornwall, England. June g. lSs. VI
parents. however. soon moved 10 Nsr
| Zealand. The boy started work IN 81
fathers blacksmith shop and a. n
age OF Is gained fame for his dexter
~ in swinging a heavy hammer a.
fashioninC horscshoes.
In All Sports
Naturally athletic. titlsImmons On
gagged in all kinds OF sports. Be.'
taking up boxing he was a hamn,
throwcr and long distance runner n
former champions ring career hers
as the winner of the lightW ctcht tur
petition promoted by Jcm Mace
Timaru, y. H.. in 1850, He defta's
four men. knocking out three ~ ths-
and thus became the amateur chan
pion OF the country. The next va
he defended his honors. defeating 4,
opponents in n night. Fit2simmor
continued at the forge for the nel
four or five Years hut always va
ready to fight. After fighting thr
battles with Jim Hall. then regari,
as the middlewclght champion ot Az
tralia, FItZsimmons came 20 Amer.
in 1890. He was n OF tho hghis'
%pionship. lie rarely weighed ma
than l65 pounds when in condition al
gave way as much as 90 pounds
some opponents.
FitZsimrnons won the worlds heav
weight title on March Il. 1897. WI,
he defeated James j. Cortrt' I'm n
18th round Of their memorable lat
at Carson City. New. He stopped a..
bett with his famous solar pleI
punch. Of which he was the origin.
tor. For two years Fitzsimmons clli
to the honor. losing n 10 James
Jeffries. who knocked him out IN q
eleventh round. June 2. 1899. M Con.
Island, y. Y. In 1902 he met Jenr.
again. hoping To regain the Croa
but went down to defeat In the eigh
round.
Old timers Of tho ring say tho IA
Knockout at the hands n JcTr.
started titzsimmons on the duvnvs
path.
Fitzsimmons made a fortune In q
ring, hut his earnings soon vanlsh'
He had a varied matrimonial care
having been married four Time
Funeral services for the dead fFN
er will he held al the Mnoll Tab,
nacle Wednesday. Burial will 10
Graceland cemetery.