The Washington times., 1920-11-28

lie was StTapplNS 'toi St
ChcesteS better known as Country
HcCloskey--w what great names the
boys had in those days'-at Tald-
Wells Landing. New York. The date
was September ., lsi1. soventy-ninc
years back.
This Hyer was about the same hcft,
but bit taller than Jack Demp-
sey. the present, champion. McClos-
key was six feet in height and the
same weight as Hycr. He seems to
have been a game bird at that
HAD hut TWO FIGHTS.
As we have said. it was Flyers first
fight. In fact. the first American
champion never had hut two ring bat
ties in his life. according TO the his
tory VIC are reading. for the very
good reason that no one but McClos-
key and Yankee Sullivan would fight
him.
There were no $500. 900 purses
around in those days, and we judge
II was not worth dollar less to
meet the roughish Mr.. Hyer. How
ever, despite his paucity Of ring en-
gagements. we gather that Tom
swung a mean fist around the neigh
borhood just the same.
lie gave McCloskey terrific belt
ing for a hundred rounds with his
bare knuckles and MCCloskey kept
wading in for more. He had less
judgment than Fred Mckay, or Tom
Cowler. Finally Hyer made the san
culinary statement with which this
story opens. in spite OF which Nc
Closkey stepped briskly forward.
BANGED HIM AROUND.
Hyer smackcd him all around the
ring and Yankee Sullivan. who was
behind McCloskey, pleaded with him
not to fight any more. McCloskey
was obstinate. however, so sullivan
chucked in the sponge. This was
after 1Ol rounds had been fought.
the battle lasting two hours and for.
ty-fve seconds.
In spite of the fact that he had
seen McCloskey get his pasting. Sui
livan challenged Hyer, but did not
fight him until nearly eight years
later This sullivan was rough
person himself. but Hyer gave him
such n whipping in sixteen rounds
that they lugged Yankee off to Mount
Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.
They fought in January. 1919. for
SO 600 a side at Rocky Point. Md.
We will say for Hyer that he must
have been pretty good at keeping
himself in condition. bccaus" even
after his long lay-on he completely
IoutclasScd sullivan.
Resides being a fighter. Hyer was
something of politician. and was
connected with the Know Nothing
party. the best named political party
in history. He was matched to fight
John Morrisscy. but the latter for
fcitcd 800.
OFFERED TO SHOOT.
Afterwards they agreed To fight.
and met at the Abbey, New York,
wherever that was. on October 20,
1854. 1t seems Morrissey brought
more OF the boys with him than
Hycr. and SO Hyer pulled out a couple
of pistols, and offered TO exchange
shots with Morrissey.
John couldn't see that stuff. how
ever, and we cant say that we blame
him. can you imagine Willie Jack
son Offering to fight Benny Leonard
with smoke rods at fifty PAGES?
Anyway. the Hycr-Morrissey mat
ter caused row all around and in
1855. Lew Baker. who Killed Bill
Poole. and a pal of Bakers named
Turner. started out to Kill Hycr.
They took q shot at him and the bull
let grazcd Toms neck.
IT seems II made the champion very
indignant. but be told Turner that he
did not want TO kill him. Then liyer
yanked out HIS own pistol and fired a
shot into a convenient wall, just to
show the boys up.
81. was throwing an act Of grace
away on dog, however" says our
history.
SAW IT. IN MIRROR.
Tho smoke from Toms gun was
still curling upward when he glanced
at mirror in front of him and saw
reflected there the odious Turner In
the act of cocking his cannon.
This" says our history, gravclN
twas too much even for Tom Hyer's
good nature"
In fact. We arc inclined to think
II would have made Battling Levin
sky sore.
Tom turned, snatched Turner by