The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-01-22
/ ALKING
IT OVER
BY JOE WILLIAMS

NEW YORK. Jan. %.
A n officer on horseback pulled
"A his mount up alongside the
curb in front OF the tavern the
other night and addressed a giant
Of man in a belted tan ulster who
stood on the sidewalk gazing into
the star-speckled space.
Say. amt You Tom Kennedy"
asked the law.
That's what they call me" the
giant Of a man answered.
We'll the last time l saw you we
were takin1 our exams for job
or the force-I'm Jerry Malone"
II was Mr. Malone all right and
Kennedy knew him. They had been
boyhood chums in First avenue
many years ago.
4 suppose it was just as well I
didn't take a job on the force,
mused Kennedy.
Probably it was. Kennedy fighter,
movie star. promoter, has seen a
lot of what the boys call life since
those days. and he has made and
lDSt more than one sizable fortune.
ssF dad about Tom Kennedy. he'll re-
rnern',r- him as a strapplng Young Irish
rsan who won the national heavyweight
ehampionship among the amateurs back
in 1915 This was about the time when
fhr White Hopes were clutterinE up the
nations prize rings. Jcfries had been
hated oct by Johnson. the Negro. and
there was mad scramble to develop
Write man to take the title away from
him.
Kennedy had promise. Hc wHs tremen-
dously strong. very brave and he liked 70
throw nsts Dapper Dan McKetrick per-
suaded him to turn professional and IN
duo time he was matched with Al Palzer.
the German Behemoth from OsSian. Iowa.
Palzer had just Von the White Hope
examinations and vas accounted about the
best Of the current novices.
TINE match was made at Ken
I nedy's suggestion. McKetrick
wanted to start him against easier
opposition. There never was
square head that an Irishman
couldn t lick" insisted Kennedy.
Kennedy's dad. in the trucking
business. was fairly we'll to do, and
ne didn't particularly like the idea
Of the young man going into the
professional ring.
an give YOU SI0000 and start YOU IN
business IL YOU don't take this fight.
Kennedy took the match on guarantee
ss00-which ne never coliected-and was
cked out in nine rounds. Palzer gave
such vicious whipping he was I'M
% leave his bed for three DAYS. But
knew ! could whD him. reminis-
KENNEDY. and three months later
m on again and proved it,
JNEDY was a gay young blade
ON Broadway when the great
Ssnley Ketchel came east Tor the
first time. Kindred spirits, they soon
develored a warm companionshlp
and we're together often. Kennedy
chuckles when he recalls the morn
ing the distinguished Pete the Goat
then Ketchel's trainer. called TO get
him up to do road work for an i'm
portant fight less than a week away.
Ketchel refused TO open the door ana
the Broadway gentleman who is known as
The Goat proceeded to kick 1t open. But
before he could fully accomplish the busi-
ness shot rang out from within ana
Mr.. Goat departed therefrom with great
haste and no little pain. He had been
shot through the foot. "A great ieho"'
that Ketchel" Eliminates Kennedy. He
was always playing tricks
story about Ketchel which Kennedy
does not tell hut Is appropriate here CON
Germs his battle with Willie Lewis in
New York ring twenty years ago ketchei
and Lewis we're PLAY bows in the same So
ciaI strata and when the match was made
Il was with the understanding that neither
would get hurt and both would be on
their feet at the finish.
EOR this fight the two young
gents trained in the better class
beer swills. and the glittering dance
salons of the period. Indeed. on the
very night of the fight it was neces-
sary to delay the windup until the
principals had slaked their thirst
with wine in the dressing rooms
The fight began and in the first
round. either in jest or conspiracy
Lewis. a deadly SharpshOoter with
his right. tagged Ketchel on the chin
and sent him flying into the ropes
A few seconds later the bell rang.
From his corner Ketchel beloved across
The ring to Lewis: pick out your spot.
You are going for nice long nap" There
was nothing playful about Ketchel when
the second round started. He walked TO
ridring. tented with his left, sent the
right crashing over and Lewis fell.
knocked out colder than Boston dow
ayers glare.
II
This fight occurred in May. In
June. Ketchel fought his last fight.
III October an aSSaSsin'S bullet in
q Missouri farmhouse sent him 10
what the French call the Great
Perhaps.