The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-14
Jack Dempsey Continued His
Winning Record Through 1888
BY JANIS J. CoRBErT.
Copyright 1918, By King Features Syndicate. 1nc)

tabhed LeBlanohe and as the Marine
backed away Jack decided to follow
him LeBlanche deliberately turned
his back to Dempsey and as JACK
walked toward him LeBlanche whirled
around with his right arm extended
in rigid fashion. AS LeBlanche COM
pleted the semi-olrcle the forearm OF
HIS extended right arm caught Demp-
sey on the point OF the chin with ter
rife force The "Nonpareif went
down as though struck with sledse
hammer.
a hush fell over the crowd as the
mighty Irish warrior crumpled. MOI
cheer came from a throat In that
vast multitude. 1t was the first time
that | have ever seen a fighter score a
Touchdown or a knockout over
champion without at least a small
part of the audience breaking Into
applause But when George LIE
Blanche, using the blow that ever af-
terward was barred from the ring
sent Jack Dempsey TO the moor a
dcath-like silence settled over the
house.
The end of the night came so uneX-
pectedly that 1t seemed to psralyze
the audience enc one moved: no one
smoke Even the referee. thunder
struck by the climax. stood In the
same spot which he had occupied wnen
the blow landed. Like a man in a
daze he looked down at the uncon-
scious Dempsey. He didn't count; his
tongue couldn't move. Even Lee
Blanche, the victor. was riveted in the
uosltion from which he had delivered
the fnal punch Of that fight.
Just how long Jack Dempsey lay
on the moor before return of con
seriousness is something that no one
cap stake with an degree of accu-
1r- fsa~.. "a
Is seconds. perhaps longer. But while
he lay there without moving the vast
crowd stayed IN it's seat, tense and
rigid. At last consciousness began TO
return to the "NonpareIL' and as he
began to move around a little on the
floor. the audience, as almost rever =
emily rose 70 its feet and watched
him--but In silence.
At last. after efforts that were pitt
full 10 watch. Jack Dempsey pulled
himself ia his knees and then to his
feet only Ia t0pPls. But In falling.
he went against the ropes and thus
saved himself from utter collapse
For tweug seconds or so he chung
10 The strands and then he began look
ing around the ring. Finally his
a.umed vision caught in its focus the
object it was seeking--f}eorge lie :
blanche. The Marine by that time
TAD moved back into mis- corner. The
sight Of his fee revived the uncon-
querable fighting spirit Of Jack bemp-
Sc and gave tu nina the strength that
he used 10 pull himself around the
fiue. aided be a hold on the ropes,
The crowd stood II petrifed-
watehinE Dempsey. Labori0usly he
clrcled the ring; moving only few
feet per minute. but always in the
direction Of IeeBlRnche.
As the brain logged. supplied Non
pareit ueared his foe he made a pitt
ful effort TO straiShten up. Then he
let loose Of the ropes, pulled back his
riSht hand. and made feeble swing
at the Marine The effort eXhausted
the last ounce of strength in the
"NonparciTs" body and as he swung
he staggered toward LeBlanche, The
MARINE reached out a. Dempsey fell
caught rim in his arms and nestled his
head on Isis chest.
And then while tears came TO the
eyes ~ hundreds iu that crowd who
we're able to grasp the fact that Jack
Dempsey had been. beaten for the first
I time In his rife they led the beaten
hut not disgraced--"S onpareh' to his
dressing room