The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-28

John Morrissey's career was perhaps
 the most remarkable of all ringmen of
 the bygone era. He figured in more sen-
 sational incidents than any other war
 rior and had more ups and downs than
 any dozen fighters that ever stepped in
 to the ring.
 As stated in yesterdays article, Nor
 sissey started by working in bar
 room, and then, through the medium of
 only two fights rose to the ranking Of the heavyweight champion of America
 Throughout his ring days, and for some years afterward, Morrissey had as his est gangs in American history. Yet. such a wonderful fellow was Morrissey, that ih the later years of his life he rose to dominating place in the polii- ical world and served two terms as United States congressman. And he died with the ranking of a near millionaire, Two battles of Morrissey's career that never have found their way into the records, stand out as among the most vicious and most brutal ever fought. One was with Tom McCann. a noted rough and tumble fighter in New York. | McCann and Morrissey. meeting in a saloon. got into an argument over a mutual woman acquaintance and the violent verbal row quickly led to a flight. While the two men were scuffling near the center of the barroom, stove l filled with red hot coals was upset. Mo- Cam, foul fighter, sensed an oppor- tunity and, quick as flish. ripped
 Morrissey and then flung him on his back right into the center of the blaz- l ing coals on the floor Then McCann 1 jumped upon Morrissey and held him down on the coals which at once burned through Morrissey's clothes and began 1 to scorch the flesh on his back. But not a groan or a cry escaped from the lips | of Morrisey, despite the fearful agony he was suffering. After minute or two.
 one of the bystanders secured pail of water and poured 1t over the coals. The steam and smoke arising in McCann's s 1 face, choked him so that he was forced l to release his hold on Morrissey. And then Morrissey pushed McCann frorl atop of him, jumped to his feet and l grabbing McCann before the latter could doge, beat him into insensibility. lMorrisseys experience in that fight earned for him the nickname of old iSmoke"--which he carried to his grave. 1 Among those who witnessed the fight | was Bill Poole, a barroom fighter of Considerable note and warm friend 1 Of McCann's. The victory of Morrissey kindled within Poole bitter hatred for Morrissey which eliminated in the l famous Poole Morrissey rough and tumble fight in 1S54-the other unchron- | licled but vicious fight of Morrisey's life time.
 The challenge for the battle came from Morrissey. He encountered Poole in saloon one day and Pooole called him number of vile names Morrissey at once said:
 Pool, I don't think you have the courage to back up your remarks in a light If you have. I'll bet you $500 whip you and I'll let you name the place."
 Poole accepted immediately and named a dock at the foot of Christo- Ipher street, New York city, as the bat ltleground. Morrissey was about to ac- 1 icept when his friends warned him against fighting in that district point ling out that it was heavily peopled by Poole's gangmen So after some arguing a pier at the foot of Amos street, New York city. was named.
 The battle was fought on July 26, 1854, and savage battle it was. Both