Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-11

4 Joe Barrett, the veteran boxing pro-
moter, who is conducting the all star
boxing show in the Standard theater, in
Steelton, Wednesday night, was in a
good humor last evening over the great
success his opening show promises TO
be, and related to the writer a little in
stance in the career of Herman Miller,
the southern middleweight champion,
who meets Johnny Wolgast, of Ian
caster, in the feature event. Joe says
trick turned by Miller has never been
accomplished by any other fighter in
the history of boxing, that is to grow
large and good enough to defeat two
men that were responsible for his faith
er's downfall in boxing after having a
record surpassed by few knights of the
ring.
In 1910 while Barrett was conducting
boxing bouts at the old Monumental
theater in Baltimore. formerly the En-
pire burlesque house, Barrett says he
had charge of the late Terry Martin,
who was setting the world afire with
his fighting ability. Barrett was prim-
ing Martin for a match with Harry
Lewis, of Philadelphia, who then held
the welterweight championship. Mar
tin was meeting all corners at % years
of age. His father, who was named
Herman, had retired one year previous,
and after n show one night, in which
Martin gave the famous Iron Man, Joe
Grim, the worst trimming of his career.
Barrett with several other managers
and fighters, were seated in the Theo-
dore Hotel, talking things over. Miller's
father being one of the party, started
jibing Barrett, as to Martins, ability
and the conversation became heated.
Miller's father offered to enter the
game again and box Martin, winner
take all, and nothing else could Bar
rett do but accept the challenge. The
match was made to take place three
weeks later. When the men entered the
ring it was noticed that the elder man
had lost none of his cleverness, but dur
ing the course of a gruelling fight, youth
told on Miller. In the fathers corner
was a lad of IL years, the present Her
man Miller. During the fight, young
Herman. being a pugnacious little fell
low, kept yelling: Pap, 1 will get this
big dub for you, when / make his
weight" and those at the ringside had
trouble to keep the present Herman from
taking a crack at Martin while on his
way to the dressingroom.
After Martin had stopped his man in
the fifth round, nothing could keep
young Herman from following his
fathers footsteps, and he had a varied
career. At the end of 1914 Barrett left
Baltimore with a string of boxers on a
tour, among them was the present Her
man, having taken the name after his
father-young Herman Miller. The
youngster was then 16 years old and
quick to learn. and being possessed of
the heart of lion, and very strong.
So he quickly advanced, and Barrett
started boxing shows in York.
At this time Charlie Collins, the
much-touted middleweight of Columbia
was the king in those parts, Miller and
Collins, were matched in which Her
mans first fight of Importance, and the
youngster surprised everyone by beat
ing Collins in a gruelling battle, at the
age of IT Herman was matched with
Leo Houck in Lancaster, being sick al
the time and too game to put the pro-
moters in bad by calling OF the match
Miller went against the much heavier
Houck, but his strength gave out and
Houck won in six rounds, them Miller
went, after getting we'll, along the line
beating X. o. Harry Baker, Fay Keiser
Jack Fitzgerald. fought draws with
Jackie Clark, Harry Grebb, and others
until he was matched with Leo Houck
again, in September 10, 1917, in York