Evening journal., 1919-04-05

Practically every DOAlng enthusiast III
Wilmington is stunned over the sad
news that came on Monday announcing
the death OF Walter Paul Farley, who
died the previous day, after injuries
received in a boxing contest aboard the
l.. 5. ;. Texas. ''Wock." as ne was
Familiarity known in athletic circles,
gained the friendship and admiration
of most every one with whom he came
in contact. He was always full Of pep
and ready TO take part in a boxing
match, football. baseball and basketball
games on a minutes notice. He loved
an sports. In whatever branch of
sport he participated, he gave his best
every minute. lie was as clean an ath-
leie as ever walked on field. Fair
play was his motto throughout life.
That's the reason the young battler was
loved by the sporting fraternity. 10 can
be said that he gave his life TO ath-
lelic sports. particularly boxing, which
game he loved dearly.
The details Of his death are brief.
His family is in a quandary as to the
definite cause. The message told that
''Nock' had died from injuries received
IN boxing bout. The name OF the
rnan he was boxing could not be learned
from Washington. or anything pertain
ing 10 the set-tO. The boys parents
wired to have the body sent immedi-
ately from Cuba, where the Texas is
at present. The reply was that the
body would be here about Saturday or
Sunday.
Although "Wock" was 81 years Of
age, his small stature and his boyish
ways, made him appear much younger.
4 20. al
lie seldom spoke Of his athletic Prov
ess, and was such a good natured lit
tic fellow, that he never spoke III OF
anybody. His unassuming ways won
him a place in the hearts Of Whining
i0n iandom as well as in Uncle sam IS
navy for an time.
'Wock" started on his career as a
lighter in 1909, when he boxed all the
best boys in and around Wilmington,
represepting the colors OF the dupont
a. O.. which at that time was located
at Fourth and Shipley streets. He was
weekly performer at the Olympia
Club, headed by Furman 6. Cole. who
had often predicted a bright future for
Noung Farley on numerous occasions
he boxed at the Chrstlana Club. and
ior various othsr organizations that
gave smokers. When the fights were
popular at the army Furman Cole, who
was IN charge Of the bouts. made
''Wock' the feature attraction on his
cards. and some lively contests ensured
All the while he was defending hi.
title Of bantamweirht champion of Ia,
state He met about 30 battlers anC
records show that not one single op
ponent held him TO a draw. He cam'
out victorious in every battle.
'.Wock." who was a member Of tn
DUPONT Athletic Club at the time. wa
boxing under the name Of Noun
Johnny COulon. which nom de plum
was given him by the writer.
During the early months OF 1913
"Wock" enlisted in Uncly Sans navy
He was not aboard ship long until thI
tars were backing him TO meet thi
bantamweisht champion Of the Allan
tic fleet. He made rapid strides IN the
nitt game. defeating every man that
came his way. white or black. The
champion bantam Of the fleet was Bat
fling Liskey. and in 1916 "Wock" flnal-
ly Sas matched to meet the chamnion
FOR i5 rounds. The Wilmington pride
lived up to all expectatio~s I. and DROP
ped his man IN the seventh round for
the full count He was presented with
the championship belt, and was IN
etructed TO keen the belt. but that In
order to give other boxers chance In
later bouts to gain possession OF such
a beautiful emblem. another belt
would be offered the following year 70 /
me man who could beat him. but in /
ease the champion was not defeated, /
we Following year. he was simply 60 j
nave the numerals OF that year inscrlb- |
co on the belt that he held.
Mock" held the title for two years
iosine II IN return battle Ga Iiskev |
III points. The blue Jackets ~ the
49, 'nought we'll enough of them !
= ss.n,~~e .os-See 10 back him TO the extent %
D.u"o. which thev lost in cold casb
inr referees verdict did nj 1850 ISL !
satisfactory one. however ana 49, .
w. ~ .se lost melr money on Earle,
c Ditler Tor revenge. II was = ,s,.,
ueal 70 take away the boys title x,sbsr
newspaper clippings show ihat he ,ei hes
ms man STAGGERING all around ,he ,.;,'l
IN the last five ROUNDS. ''ne
"Wock' was so disgusted ovss a.
result that he was going TO Give IN tb )
game. He felt worse over the fact thai
his mstes had lost so heavily on him
than he did about losing the title.
'Wock" retired temporarily from the
game. He did not box for wear OF
more 1t was Just recently that ht
decided TO again con the mitts. He
ms determined to win back his title