The Washington times., 1928-09-07

poplar bordered highways of
more
: But befbre landing on the shores
q the country that 4 visited once
before in 4 different capacity and
IN khaki uniform, will have
looked upon the scenes OK my
parents birthplace.
NY father and mother were both
natives Of County Mayo, Ireland,
and It will be q proud moment
when / can pay my respects and
express my deeep-felt sentiments to
the land Ii which they were born.
I. Both my parents were strong.
healthy ht-living and had plain
! common-sepa ideas. OF bringing np
retted and c0ddled and spoiled, but
was given care and affection and
Z good example. 1t was a splendid
heritage Tor any boy to have, In a
country where opportunity Is open
- at
hut ~ Ike every other true
succns whether II be in the
/ ring 81 the learned professions
or ahfie fields Of art and sci
elie0, my rise was backed BY
years d ton.
nv championship title was gained
BY no accident and by no lucky
stroke: I worked hard and sacri-
feed much, To the unknow1ng
ones, th1se who clasp your nana
when your star il high. It seemed
fortune with one furry az gloYed
fista IN single night OF effort,
Now. is i throw my thoughts
bacx over my life and recall the
singseness Of purpose that AMI.
mated my striving for strength
and enlightenment and success
!. am sure that any boy similarly
situated can do likewise.
i was not q robust boy. At 10
/ imagine was about the same
build as the late President Roose-
wslt. just as he built himself up
- physical hardness by sheer
power OF will, proper care and ex-
Nfcise. so H.. began in my youth
e detelop the only resource 7 pos
nessed my physique.
At III 4 Wa able to handle my
SELF against any Of the chaps Of
the same age in the Village and
ahere were some tough characters
who had to Be handled" 1t was
this ability with my fists that
Brought about my first ring appear
nnee.
II Wa Ii 90 the time and
FAR from having any thought
Of ever becoming = professional
boxer. But the occasion Tor the
bout was : charitable affair
An the Village and ! was Sc
Iected to contend with local
professional lightweight.
The affair gave me one OF the ire
Rnendous surprises Of my life.
found that I knew nothing at all
about the science Of boxing and took
Z terrific beating. There was only
one compensating thought. MY OPP
, pcnent failed to knock me down. It
was then resolved firmly never TO
be sent to my knees in any fistic en-
counter, and this resolution was car
rled out until the seventh round or
the Chicago match with Dempsey.
Az the first New Yorker to hold
Rha title OF heavyweight champion or
the world, I naturally take great
bride IN the fact. It II so often
MIALEU
do not have the opportunity for
physical development that it gave me
particular pleasure to bring back
/. the ring Iaurels after my first meet
ing with Dempsey.
While Il Is my opinion that It
y more important to have brains
than mere Drawn, can see no
good reason why an intelligent
person should be physically weak
and pIIny. "A man can be q stu
dent and lover Of literature and
feel 1T home In the more delicate
world OF art and still carry about
strong body with two-iisted
stamina.
All through my ring career I
: tried to keep my mind and body on
the upgrade, improving steadily. In
spite Of opinion to the contrary, /
believe 3 man can be acquainted
with the classics and still be able
70 uncork a right-cross to the button
that viii carry q kick.
Besides, 1t IL that combination of
mental development and bodily per-
lection that brings success to aspir-
ants for ring honors, just as In any
other walk Of life these same quail
ties are found in men who reach
the top.
) Both paths are open to those who
would tread them. IT is not always
easy to follow them but the rewards
are incalculabIe.
CHAPTER Y Of My True Life Story
Win Appear in This News
paper on MOnday.)