The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-12-14
Story of Johnny Glover.

| ~ 0~S~AeeAy
The gamest fighter ever saw
was Johnny Glover of Boston,
younger brother of Mike Glover,
welterweight near-champion, who
died several years ago. Back in
1911 Johnny invaded Scranton, Pa,
made it his new home and soon
was hailed the full length of the
famous old Wyoming valley-Car-
bondale to Hazelton, which in
cludes Scranton and Wilkes Barre
as the greatest fighter in the
anthracite coal region.
In two years time, Johnny had
defeated all available boys in his
class. He was a welterweight, seal
ing around 142 pounds. Then he
married against the wishes of his
manager. who left him cold. In a
short time Glover couldn't get a
fight. His funds dwindled and he
had to get job. An old admirere,
who owned a big cafe, hired him
as a waiter in the cabaret.
A Chzd OF Misery.
A baby daughter was born to
the luckless Glover and his wife.
Then Mrs. Johnny-a very sweet
little woman, became ap invalid. In
GLIDING tips, Johnny brought home
about $25 a week, but it was in
sufficient to meet their needs. His
credit was worthless and no one
! cared to stake him. Disaster
seemed inevitable.
But through all those long, dis
NAL days and sleepless nights,
Glover still chung to sweet men,
DRY. He had never been defeated.
He was still the valley" cham
pion. He had defeated George
Chip, who had started his career as
a raw novice in boxing skill. He
had whipped Steve Latzo. Tommy
Connors, Dennis Tighe. AL Dewey,
Harlem Tommy Murphy, Tommy
Ginty and a score of others from
that section.
Johnny thought a long time be-
fore deciding to cash in his coveted
title" Even at that time, no well
terweight cared to tackle him. Fin
ally, manager down in Hazelton
who had a young welter in tow
listened to Glover's plea for q
match. Glover had not trained in
more than a year. He looked dead
easy, this manager believed; so he
finally agreed.
i Carried Chairs, Built Ring.
| But all the preliminary details
we're left to Glover, who didn't
have a dime. The only hall he
could get was an obsolete theatre
He was too busy carrying in
chairs and setting up the ring to
train for the battle. A handful OF
roustabouts were his only helpers
They saw a chance to get few
pennies Of blood money.
! Glover did not dare to charge
more than SO cents for admission
When the fight began there was
less than $40 in the house. The
winner was to take all. l will
never forget the look on Glover's
face as he glanced over the house
1t was the way they look at the
gallows.
Johnny was knocked down sever
times in the first three rounds. HI
didn't seem to have a thing. Ii
the fourth, he cut loose with a wild
backhand swing and floored the
other boy. who took count o.
nine. The cheering crowd brought
back Glover's senses. He stoot
back measuring his opponent al
he stepped up and tloored hin
again. Then the bell rang.
| Rush to See Comeback.
This remarkable comebacl
spread downtown like wildfire
The little hall was soon filled tt
bursting point. How they yelled
Glover's great courage and the old
time cheers revived his aching
body, long racked by sickness an,
worry. After the fourth, the Ha
zelton boy was more cautious. Go
ing into the seventh. both wer
] holding their own.
FATE MUST BE KIND. Glove
took a wicked punch on the jaw
and dropped. He got up, but Eel
down again without being struck
He took the nine-count. 1t looke'
, as if he would never get up again
but he fooled them. His opponen
was the most surprised OF all. H
and his friends were rejoicing
The fighter was in the act of shak
ing hands with a ringsider a
, Glover got up still Keeling.
You of the tri-cities saw this self
same fighting instinct in Tomm,
} Comiskey's last three rounds will
Jimmy Nuss. Before they coul'
, shout warning to the victor-ap
Il parent, Glover was on top Of hin
!, like q tiger. swinging everything
J but the front door. Johnny KEEP
J, pummeling away until the othe
boy dropped from a stomach punch
Glover's last swing cut the air ovel
j the fallen boys head. and then h'
; went down and out on top OF him
What . Clergyman Did.
In the earlier confusion. some
body had called in the clergyman
of Gloyer's church. who was ar
out-and-out advocate OF the boxing
game. It was he who lifted John.
my up and carried him to his cor
. ner. The next moment he walked
. to the center of the ring and raised
} his hand. commanding silence. Hi
called upon the good sports FOL
, contributions and they collected
more than $500.
Glover never fought again. Will
that stake he and his little famil,
!