New-York tribune., 1918-02-03
Old Gladiator's Final
Knockout Caused by
Heart Disease
Fistic Idol Made
Fortune in Bouts
Sullivan Won Favor When
He Put John Barleycorn
Down for Count of Ten

ABINGDON, Mass, Feb. 2.-John L..
figures of prize ring renown and Amer
lean heavyweight champion for nine
years, died suddenly of heart disease
at his farm in West Abingdon to-day.
AS was his wish, he died with his
shoes on. Although stricken with
heart trouble three weeks ago. he had
quickly improved and was in no sense
an invalid. He was about to leave his
house to-day to pay visit to Boston
to see his old friend. Captain James
P. Sullivan, of the Boston Police De-
partment, when he received his final
Knockout.
His friend and companion, George
M. Bush, rushed to his side as the old
gladiator sank to the floor unconscious
and revived him with cold water appli
cations to the head. John L., respond
ing quickly to this treatment, as in his
palmy days in the prize ring, struggled
to his feet and refused to take the de-
cision of time. He reluctantly consent
ed to have physician called, but after
receiving medical treatment announced
that he would have a bath and keep
his appointment. Even as he expressed
his determination he became uncon-
scious, and died apparently without
further pain.
Burial on Wednesday
The body will be taken to the home
of his sister in the Roxbury district of
Boston, where funeral services will be
held Wednesday morning.
Hardly had the news of the passing
of one of Americas greatest fistic
champions been flashed broadcast, than
messages of sympathy began pouring
into town from men in all walks of life.
Sullivan, in his prime, was a popular
idol and he never entirely lost his hold
on the public. This was due not only to
the success of his prize-f fighting days,
but to his rugged battle later against
his old easy-gong habits.
John L." always attributed his loss
Of the American championship to James
). Corbett by knockout in New Or
leans, September Z, 1892, to LIQUOR. He
had made fortune in the prize ring
and had spent it when his friends ten
dered him benefit concert in Boston
to put him on his feet again. The
money obtained from this venture went
also according to his ruling habit, and
then Sulliyan's old fighting spirit reas-
had entered the list against John Bar
leycorn for fight to the finish.
knowing the opcn-handcd. easy-going
methods of the man, the public re-
garded his challenge with interest. but
John L." battled with John Barleycorn
as he did with all his opponents He
forced the fighting, as it we're. He pro-
claimed his defiance of drink from plat
forms throughout the country. and held
himself up to the youth as horrible
example of what drink would do. True
to his word, he never let up in his ag-
gressive fight against liquor, and fire.
quently left his farm for long temper
ance speaking tours.
Did His Bit in the War
He was fifty-nine years old when he
was counted out He had often ex
pressed regret that he was too old to
go with the boys overseas, but he was
not too old to do his bit. He never de-
cllned an invitation to speak at flag
raising or recruiting rally or in behalf
of the Liberty loan.
Sullivan was never taught how to
box. He took to fighting naturally. His
first appearance in the ring was at a
variety performance in Boston, when
he was in his teens, magnficently
built young man, weighing nearly 200
pounds.
A husky boxer, who was one of the
performers, challenged any one in the
audience to enter the ring with him. 1t
was summons Sullivan could not re-
fuse, although he had had no ring ex-
perience. Peeling off his coat, he
leaped upon the stage, took a blow to
the head and knocked out his opponent
with one clean punch straight from the
shoulder. 1t was a method of fighting
he never dropped
Complete account of "John LIS"
picturesque career IN Section 2,
PGOe I