The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-03
DEllPSEY'S KIN
NOTED PUGILIST
Required Court Order to
Keep His Grandfather
From Fighting.

Charlotte, N. C-Did you know that
Nathan Dempsey, p%rogenitor Of the
celebrated Jack. was also q twO-nst-
ed fighting man; that he at n time
lived In North Carolina, and that dur
ing that period be remained undis-
puted champion of four counties by
reason Of the strength in his mighty
armS9 Did you know that 1t required
an order Of court to restrain the fight
ing instincts Of the grandfather Of the
man who recently lost the heavy
weight championship Of the world1
When Jack Dempsey was in train
ing In HendersOnville early In the year
for his disastrous bout with Gene
Tunney, he remarked that he believed
bis grandfather had ono lived in this
state. Investigations revealed that
the exploits Of the mighty Nathan are
well remembered by the older In
habitants Of Burnsville. Nathan staged
his battles on the village green, now
become the public square, accepting
the challenges of any and all who
cared to try an Issue with him.
S~eVeuty-FiVe YearB Ago.
It was IS years ago that this Demp-
sey held a championship in Yancey
county, and the people still talk about
his fame. The territory covered by
this pugilist OF the early days was
the four contiguous counties, and he
ruled by the power Of his good fist
until an outraged court stopped 1t
and put his nst under q peace bond.
Nathan licked every man who had
the temerity to stand up to him.
There were no referees and few rules
In those early encounters, and there
were 40 gloves to soften the blows.
The strongest man Of his day IN
these parts, credited with choking q
bear to death with his bare hands,
with Selling q part Of a fence rail
on one occasion and dispensing a mob,
intent on Furnishing him, In such
a manner that ell the emergency med
ical attention Of huntsville was
called upon to repair the damage, and
with other similar feats, Nathan
Dempsey came drifting yer the noun
tains, staying long enough to estab'
lish his reputation in Yancey and then
moved on to the West.
1t was these legends OF the Burns
Vile fighting man that led Jack him
self to the belief that the old pioneer
was his grandfather. He under
stood, he said on his recent visit here
that his paternal ancestor had live(
for a time in North Carolina. Any
way, the people In Yancey county have
been talking about this first Dempse!
for rs years-since long before Jacl
stepped into the limelight-and ar
still talking now that he has beef
eclipsed. But nobody thought Of con
Meeting the world champion with tn
renowned scrapper Of the mountain
until Jack himself advanced the ide
that resulted In the Investigation.
If inheritance goes for anything
then Jack Dempsey came by his prov
ess Iegitimately, for the might
Nathan had all Of western Mort
CarOlina-Or at least that part Of
that came under his immediate il
r1sdiction-subject to the power Of hi
fist, until the majesty Of the law too
hold of the situation, and forbade hi
longer use Of his fist for sanguinar
encounters.
1t is interesting to note that tn
law specifically mentioned his rigl
fist as the one put under the ban
it does not mention the left. HistOT
does not relate that the peace bon
claiming his right resulted In an
great number OF challenges beir
shOwered upon Dempsey; his lie
seems to have been almost equal
effective.
old Court Record.
The lew designated that he cou.
strike only with the palm Of his rig
hand, but left the left fist free
be used In any manner the fight
might choose. The old court recor
Ia probably still in existence unle
4 vas destroyed during the days
the war between the states. T.
wording of the document was studl
netriculously In order that some WI
might be found for Dempsey, and &
mature OF It still is recalled by {
older people VINO also recall that Il
bHlent and hectic period when Dem
aey stood ~tOur-sQuare 20 all the wOl
and fought any man who desired
aght for the pure love OF lights
hSlding his battles &C appointed tin
90 that all aight bs present to with,
the encOuntee.
TAere are several people ln Bur
Tale-the Oid-tlmerS-whO recall
4ays when Nathan used 60 30 TO
ast and skull On the public Bqus
Ehat was heesge his fame became
we'll known that he had 10 Ops
@0a. Thegs are these who gtlll c
Eead that he was Q 'supeFman," POI
Tag cut that he did not have r
ut q solid bone chest that protec
Ne caveEnous lunga He u eredl
vita having been q tall. uDstand
fellow with ane black eyes and ia
seEse appearance. What became
hgma a. nae hmnaww Altar a 4