The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-11-14
BY A. ]. LIEBLTNG,
Times STAFF Writer

EVERYBODY was surprised
II when 1 swung those clubs
at the Weber and Fields banquet"
said Gus Hill, Invincible Cham
pion Light and Heavy Weight
Club Swinger and Juggler Of the
World, who meditates a comeback.
"They didn't know I been prac-
ticing with them every day."
Gus, credited by old troupers
with having made more money
out of the show business than any
man who ever lived" jerked at
drawer in the creaky oak filing
cabinet of his midget office.
The drawer flew open barring
his heart-a collection of pictures
of a straight slim youth, who, as
he aged through successive mega
tives, sprouted mustacheS and
medals.
Juggling is nothing" he said,
Juggling is all timing. Swinging
is strength and skill combined.
But a club Swinger couldn't do
himself justice in this four-a-day
vaudeville now.
Vaudeville people now do just.
walk-on and a couple of songs.
they are lazy. There are no CELL
ing walkers. No female bag punch
ing champions.
You would go to the Para
mount many times before you saw
a collar-an d-elbow wrestler now"
Gus, who, according to the I'M
Improbable evidence of the New
York Clipper, was born in 1858,
tugged at his still blond muStache.
THO you know how I out
Oswang them ALP" he asked.
The average club swinger swang
to waltz tune. OF course, he
couldn't go faster than the or
chestra. I used to say to the Or
chestra leader, Play the fastest
gallop you've got
Naturally, I outswang them.
would liked to have worked with a
jazz band.
I'll never forget the night I
Swang Charley Hoey for the Rich
ard K. Fox worlds championship
belt in Mechanics hall at Boston.
The enthusiasm was tremendous.
After that Fox backed me to
swing any one in the world for
$4,000.
Il wonder how many people
now ever saw ali athletic COM
bination," he unused aloud. 1T
was a great form of amusement
in the 80's."
He dug out copy of the Bijou,
a program magazine, devoted to
art, music and drama" printed
for Wagner opera house, Brad
ford, Pa" in 1888.
The principal art, music and
drama provided for the patrons
o. that particular evening was
Grand Display of the Art of Self
Defense" between Jem Mace, the
old gypsy, and Herbert A. Slade,
The New Zealand Giant, who
will be matched to fight John L.
Sullivan for the championship of
America and $4,000"
Supporting TheSpians were "the
two lightweight champions" KEEL
ley and Murphy, in their original
sketch entitled Scene at a Box
ing School," Mike Lynch, in an
Irish speciality with songs and
dances, and the protean Mr.. Hill
in his own speciality and in col
lar and elbow wrestling With Steve
ODonnell."
Real fights were illegal in those
days." said Hill. They had to
sneak out and hold them at some
road house, and then the loser
often wouldn't get any money.
So to keep going, the fighters
used to form these exhibition
troupes, and the public was crazy
to see them.
TIN the grand finale everybody
i had to fight, and if there was
an odd number OF boxers WITH the
troupe one of them might be
paired off with club swinger or
a clog dancer. One show tray
eled with I had to fight the orig
inal Jack Dempsey every night.
: "At benefits for widows of prize
fighters who got shot by gamblers
and like that it was the same
thing. Everybody fights in the
finale, and if you didn't draw
blood you lacked sympathy for
the bereaved.
1T was at a benefit for the
sufferers of Ireland in Gilmore's
Garden, the old original Madison
Square Garden, that Ned Harri-
gan. the actor. saw me and tipped
Tony Pastor to sign me for vaude4
Vile"
The Hill in his name Gus took
from Harry EJfllte old caIoo., az