The Sentinel=record., 1918-02-03
GRIM REAPER KNOCKS OUT"
 OLD JOHN l
ONE TIME PRIDE OF THE PRIZE RING DIES SUDDENLY OF
 HEART DISEASE.
Was About to Leave His House for a Visit to Boston When He Was strieken-Funeral Services win Be Held in Boston Wednesday.

Abingdon, Mass, Feb. 2.-Jobp l., sullivan, one of the most interesting figures of prize ring renown, died sud denly of heart disease at his farm in
 west Abingdon today. As was his wish he died with his shoes on.
 Although stricken with heart trouble three weeks ago he had quickly i'm proved and was in no sense an in Falld He was about to leave his house today to pay visit to Boston to see his old friend. Captain James F. Sgl- llHan, of the Boston police depart ment' when he received his final knockout.
 His friend and companion, George
 VI. Bush, rushed to his side as the old fighter sank to the floor uncon- scious. and revived him with cold water applications to the head.
 Jonn L.", responding quickly t7 this treatment as in his palmy days n the prize ring, struggled to hIs feet and refused to take the decision of time. He reluctantly consented to have a physician called but after re ceiying medical treatment, announced that he would have 8 bath and keep his appointment.
 Even as he exressed his determina- ton he became unconscious and died apparently without further pain. The body will be taken to the home Of his sister in Boston where funeral services will be held "Wednesday
 morning.
 Hardly had the news of the pass ing Of one of Amercas ereates fstlc champions been flashd broadcast than messages of sympathy began pouring into town fom men n all walks If life
 sullivan, in his prime, was a popu- lar idol and he never entirely lost hold on the public. This Was due not only 10 the success or his prize fighting days but to his rugged bat tie la CT against his old easy going habits
 John L." always attributed his loss Of the American champ onship 10 James J Corbett 0y d Knockout in New Orleans September 7. 1892, to liquor lie had made fortune in the prize ling and had spent # when his friends tendereI hun benefit concert in Boston to put him on h's feet again The money Obtained rom this venture went also. according to his ruling habit. and then Sullyan's old Fighting spirit reasserted itself and he announced hat he had entered the list against John Baueycorn for a fight to a finish.
 The public regarded this challenge with interest, but John L." batped with John Barleycorn as he had WI. all his opponents He forced the fighting al 1t were He D, oclaimed his defiance of drink from platforms throughout the country and held him self up to the youth as horrible ex- ample of what drink would de- He never let up in his aggressive fight against liquor and frequently lief; hi; farm here for long temperance speak ing tours.
 iAN N"0 N' years DL age NNtN NB was counted out He had often ex- pressed regret that he was too old 10 go with the boys over seas. but he was not too old to do his bit He nyer deciled an invitation to speak at a flag ra sing or recruiting rally or in behalf of the I.iberty Loan. Sullivan was never taugnt how 10
 FOX. He took to fighting naturally
 His frs appearance in the ring was at variety performance in Boston
 when he was in his teens, a magnfi- cently built young man, meiga,ne lneariy POO pounds A husky boxer was 1 one of the performers challenged any one in the audience 10 enter the ring
 with him. II was a summons Sull- van could not refuse. although he had no ring experience.
 Feeling off his coat he leaped upon ' the stage, took a blow to the head and knocked his opponent out with
 one clean punch straight from the shoulder. It was a method of fight l ing he never dropped.
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