The Washington times., 1922-05-01

Freeman. however. was a wonder
fully active man for his immense size.
He stood six feet ten and a half
inches in his stockings and normally
weighed over s20 pounds.
Shortly after his arrival in London
Freeman appeared In many sparTins
exhibitions at the Queens, the Ly-
ceum. Olympic. Adelphia, Victoria
and other halls, creating a veritable
panic among the British heavy
weights. Although the gigantic Amer
lean had no serious intentions OF be-
coming a fighter. he finally expressed
his willingness to meet any man in
the world for the honor Of his native
land" and TO stop all skeptical critics
abroad.
Freeman accepted a challenge from
WILLIAM Perry, 1.-THE Upton Slasher."
for Sake of $500 side. The story
of the battle is too long one to tell
here, but the Slasher never had a
chance and kept dropping down until
the referee, who had warned Parry
several times, finally decided the pro-
longed mill in favor of the American
giant. He never fought again and
returned TO his circus performance,
at which he made a pot of money and
spent Ii like bowling lord.
Freeman's gay and festive life
around London I'm few years com.
pIetely undermined his great ply
sique, and ne died of consumption
In the Winchester Hospital ON 0cto-
Der IS, I845. When Heenan went
TO England he placed a neat head
stone over the grave Of Freeman In
London cemetery, where the
giant American now rests In peace.
When John @. Heenan agreed to
meet the champion of England on
the British isle, he hadn't, however,
money enough TO pay his passage
over and that of his trainer, Jim
Cusick so a benefit was given him
by his old admirers In this city, so
brave Heenan sailed from New York
to Liverpool on the old side-wheeler
Asia on January s. 1850.
The A nerican champion was
eagerly awaited abroad, and when
of people turned out to see the
to cross the Atlantic 20 try con-
illusions with England's greatest
boxing hero. Shortly after his ar
rival Heenan engaged Jack Nc
Donald, called the ''the prince Of
seconds" TO aid Cusick In training
and seconding him.
The Benicia Boy had considera-
BILE difficulty while conditioning
himself. The English authorities
seemed to be rather determined TO
annoy and prevent him from get
ting into fine fettle. They got
out several warrants for Heenan's
arrest and he was locked up in
Derby Goal for several hours. But
Savers was not subject to any
such annoyance whatever.
The bis, international mill created
intense interest, both here and
abroad English newspapers, which
formerly never published line
about prizsfights. devoted many
columns to fthe training of the two
champions ~ the ablest writer's and
artists in England.
Many American newspapers
sent clever scribes and artists for
graphic accounts and pictures OF
the affair. In England II was the
general opinion that Sayers could
not possibly lose. In America,
while all periodically hoped for
Heensn's success, very few really
believed that he had ghost OF a
show for victory.
The big battle took place on the
plains OF Farnborough on April IL,
1850. IL was reported the prime min
lister, Lord Palrnerston, and at least
one bishop was nt the rinsside In dis
guise. However, thore were at least
a hundred dul~@, earls. lords and