The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-06


tenth chapter of a series of articles
which Mr.. Corbett is writing on
John L. an Knew Him II re-
lates many heretofore unpublished in
cidents in the life of the great war
rlor. The next instalment win appear
tomorrow
John J.. suliivan's failure to knock
cut Charlie Mitchell in their battle on
French soil in 1883 was a crushing
blow to the pride of tho American
champion. Through ali the years OF
his pugiliStic greatness he had de-
ciared: II can whip any man In the
world in a finish fight" Never had
ne failed to make good until he
met Mitchell the second time. 1t was
CALLING to him that. IN thirty-nine
rounds of fighting In 1883 he had
failed to stop the little man whom he
had battered aim ost to e. pulp in less
than three rounds Of glove fighting
I've years before.
As John l. sullivan rendered over
the outcome OF that bare knuCkle
battle with Mitchell. ne at last came
to the conclusion which friends had
tried TO force upon him through al
the years of his pdgilistic greatness
that late hours. improper foods
wreck the most powerful physique
that a human ever had
So John L. came back to America
n sadder but a. wiser man.
Those who were intimate with John
T.. noticed that a big change had
come over him following his trip to
England. The erstwbile supreme con-
fdence IN himself had waned
tribe; John L., although not admit
ting the possibility or defeat NJ the
hands Of any man, had come 10 the
realization that hts health. wonderful
az II had been in his earlier days,
couldn't stand up under the batter
inw OF evil living So he became
little more temperate. a little mod
crate in his habits and for the first
time in his career actually got down
TO a point Of syHtema,ic- although
mid training.
But John l.. despite his inability
to whip Mitchell. remained as the
greatest idol in pugilistIc America
His friends were legion; eEery-w here
throughout the United States crowds
fought for the privilege OF shaking
his hand His failure to triumph
over Mitchell was excused~~and just
" so--hy the explanation that he was
totally out of fighting condition: that
ne had underestimate hts foe and
overestimated his powers to stand up
under the hanmerfngs OF disstpa-
ton.
A baneht performance was given
for John l.. in Boston on May Is,
which was a short time after HIS re
turn to the United States. This net
sas him $4,000. Less than month
later his friends in New York city
also arranged a. Madison Square gar
DEN testimonial. adding $1,000 70 the
hanKroll of the great American
fighter.
rs,t John l., despite the continued
show of worship by bis admirers, felt
that he wasn't the same old John J.
that he had before him the greatest
exht Of ALTO get hack into the con-
dition OF his earlier and mare tenn
perate years Some persons claim
that John LIS failure 20 stop the
british fighter broke his heart :
But this seems 10 he an exaSgerateo
statement 1t took from John l. sotne
of the superla tive confidence in MS
own ability; made him ii little more
serious and steadied him down con-
zdarsnly-the best thing that could
have happened 10 him.
.Yohn /. wasn't back from England
very long before Jake kilram began
10 vofley him with challenges Tor
anfAh fght. under LONDON prise ring
rules, for tho heavyweight champion.
ship. knrain, who had the hnancial
backing of Richard X. Fox. claimed
thas snllfva had run out or %
match with him in 1887 and ktirain s
followers continued to insist that
sullivan liz afraid to meet Jake
The champion hald off taking OF
ncial cognizance OF these cha llenges
FOR a while and then, on December !.
1879 delighted the sporting world
with this announcen
at will fight Jake FSiirain hnish
hattie, under London prize ring rules.
for a. $4,000 side bet. As soon as
Kt,rain makes deposit 10 guarantee
good faith, will make ARRANGEMENTS
for the signing of the articles"
Almost as soon as Su'livan's chal-
,erre had been given to the public,
roy. acting in behalf OF Kilrain post
"A $4,000 In the bank to guarantees
Eilrains appearance. On January =
1ssa. the articles were signed In To-
ronto for what was TO be the Ia st bare
knuokle flght on American soil with
a championship nj stake.