Norwich bulletin., 1918-02-04
JOHN L. SULLIVAN DIES
 AT HOME IN ARLINGTON
Former Champion Passes Away as He Wished, With His Boots On.

John L. Sullivan, formerly the worlds heavyweight champion, died at his home in Abingdon, Mass, Sat urday.
 Sullivan, who was. 59 years old, had lived on farm there for the last 10 years. He was ill' with heart trouble three weeks ago. but his health quick ly improved and he went to Boston Friday. Saturday morning he arose as usual and planned another visit to the city. but during the forenoon had an attack of the old trouble from which he failed ot rally He died at noon
 Mrs. Sullivan died some months ago.
 John Laurence Sullivan was one of the most picturesqlSe characters in the history of prize fighting. For more than 10 years. from the time he defeated Paddy Ryan in 1882. in bare knuckle fight under the London prize ring rules. until he was defeated by James J. Corhett, in 1892. his person ality and methods of fighting com pletely dominated sporting circles in the United States
 In the annals of pugilism in this country two notable distinctions were his; he was the last champion to fight under the London prize ring rules. It was largely through his achievements that the championship title was made a prize of great monetary value. In the early days of his career. $1,000 side was looked on as great sum. He received only $53 for the fight that made him a national character in fis- ticuffs and won him the right to chal- lenge Paddy Ryan for the champion ship.
 His friends ranged all the way from the ordinary fight fan" to many men of social and financial distinction in the United States, and it is said he was on chumming terms with the late King Edward VII. of England.
 As was his wish John L. Sullivan 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 in Abing- ton, Mass, Saturday to see his old friend, Captain James P. Sullivan, of the Boston police department. when he received his final knockout.
 His friehd and companion, George M. Bush. rushed to his side as the old gladiator sank to the floor unconscious and revived him with cold water ap- piications to the head. John L." re- spending quickly to this treatment as in his paimy days, in the prize ring, struggled to his feet and refused to take the decision of Time. He re- luctantly consented to have a physi- clan called, but after receiving medical treatment, announced that he would have bath and keep his appointment Even as he expressed his determina- ton, he became unconscious and died apparently without further pain. 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 l pouring into town from men in all ] walks of life. Sullivan in his prime was a popular idol and he never en- tirely lost his hold on the public. This was due not only to the success of his prize fighting days but to his rugged battle against his old easy going hab. 1 it's.
 | John L" always attributed his loss of the American championship tc James J. Corbett by a knockout ir New Orleans, Sept. ', 1892. to liquor l He had made a fortune in the prize ring and had spent it when his friends rendered him a benefit concert in Bos 1 ton to put him on his feet again. The money obtained from this venture I went also according to his ruling hab. i it. and then Sullivan's old fighting spirit reasserted itself and he an. Eounced that he had entered the lis against John Barleycorn for a figh I to the finish. 1 Knowing the open handed, easy go. ing methods of the man, the public re. gsrded this challenge with interest but John L. battled with John Bar ] leycorn as he had with all his oppo
 nents. He forced the fighting, as i
 were, He proclaimed his defiance O drink from platforms throughout tn. country and held himself up to tn,
 youth as horrible example Of wna
 drink would do. True to his word h.
 never let up in his aggressive f1gh
 against liquor, and frequently left hi farm here for long temperance speak ing tours.
 He was 5s years of age when he wa counted out. He had often expresse, regret that he was too old to go witt
 the boys overseas, but he was not to,
 old to do his bit. He never decline,
 an invitation to speak at a flag rais
 ing or recruiting rally or in behalf o the Liberty Loan. Sullivan was never taught how t
 box. He took to fighting naturally
 His first appearance in the ring wa
 at variety performance in Bostol
 when he was in his teens, a magnih
 gently built young man weighini
 nearly 200 pounds A husky boxe
 who was one of the performers, chal
 lenged anyone in the audience to en
 ter the ring with him. It was sum
 mons Sullivan could not refuse, al
 though he had had no ring experience
 Feeling off his coat he~ leaped upol
 the stage. took a blow to the head an,
 knocked out his opponent with on
 clean punch straight from the shoul
 der. It was a method of fighting h
 never dropped.
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