Evening journal., 1918-10-23

Jimmy Murphy, whose name was on
tht lips Of thousands OF eastern fight
fans few years ago when he met the
best men in the lightweight division,
meeting wih but one rev Crsal and that
coming from Champion Benny Leonard,
has been shell-shocked and gasses "over
there"
IN letter TO his formc: manager ana
friend Bill McGowan. Jimmy writes
from, or rather had his nurse pen the
news from the base hospital i'm one Of
the camps behind the lines, that al
though he had been shaken up rather
lively he is recovering and Will soon be
back knocking of the Huns. Jimmy, II
may be recalled. boxed a preliminary
bout at the local armOry, and later re-
turned 60 Wilmington, down and out
He was but a kid at the time and a dol
lar looked like a million TO him. He
was befriended by Bill McGowsnn, with
whom he lived, Furney Cole. Pat Me-
connell ard several others who helped
condition him for his start Of a very
proud career. Within years time,
Murphy was boxing at the rate Of once
q week at the leading eastern clubs,
and drawing down purses ranging from
$3.50 TO $1,000.
When Uncle Sam called for yolun-
teers Jimmy was among the flrst TO re-
spond. going into service the first week.
His most prominent fights were with
Joe Shugrue, Johnny Dundee, twice ex-
champions, Ad Wolgast and Freddy
Welsh. Eddie Moy. Milburn Saylor and
Champion Benny Leonard.
His letter to Bill McGowan follows
Somewhere in the Fight"
September %, 1918.
"Dear Pal Bill:
Il am sorry to say l am in the base
hospital after being gassed and she'll |
shocked. but feel that l am on the road /
70 recovery. Bill, we had a lot OF fun;
also a lot Of trouble in one OF our July
drives lt sure is great sport chasing
the Huns. We had them running SO
last they had 60 turn side ways TO keep
from flying When Hun sees an
American doughbny he knows his life
Isn't worth a dime.
"The boys over here are great for
pets don't mean coolies, but cows
and goats that we would take in cap
turing a town. You should see some
of our homes over here: they are about
four ieet deep and have logs covering
the top of them.
"Washington must have had a snap.
His men could light a fire at night,
smoke cigarets, but we can't even llght
a match. but you know me Al, we Just
got TO lick the Dutchmen.
"Our gang expects to be dining In
some swell German hotel on Christmas.
We all have lots OF pep, and If God
=. hn in Iar1in
before long.
"Bin. fighting over here is very much
different from the kind I'm used to. You
remember how ] used TO hammer your
ears loose. and how we used 10 enjoy
ourselves after I'd win a big tight, and
how the bunch would march down
Broad street singing and yelling from
the OLYMPIA club TO the station to see
YOU fellows OF. Well. the stage is all
set but for the fact that the Germans
won't flght with their fists and you
ant block a cannon ball like you can
| hook or a wild hay-makcr from some
hub. | feel fine at times and only
wish could get booked up in Paris
o box some good lightweight
.It certainly is a funny sight when
he command to ''dig in" is issued. on,
aby. how some of those Office boys
nd pen pushers can make that dirt I
w. You might think they were an /
'Toole, or a Pedro, raised with a pick c
nd shovel in their hands.
'Wel. Bill, how is the old ball roll c
IL? Did you do any umpiring this y
ear. l hope you had more success D
ian ever, COR ! know you are a poor y
sh at chasing the boys to the showers.
r taking an occasional ten from the 4
oys l
Remember me TO all my friends, Pat
Mcconnell. Furney Cole. Max Keil. Afilt
Niund, Mshoney and all the gang My
very best regards TO your mother and
proher Jack Tell him l would be
s,au , 70 be talking TO him where we a..
him ias' pldue saw tn
-, uooa luck 70 YOU, and write 70 mo pa
ol'sh. best OF luck to eyerybodv 7 know ju
:" 'ho soou old U. 5. A. w
your old sparring mariner Cf
"or II you prefer. 'i33 pounds ny ~ Of
go. Jimmy Murphy at
p. :. Give my best also To thst h,,. fo
slugger I'd Tucker. Win - II
more next week from Berlin g
fifth lnfantrv - u