The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-06-15
Life Story Of Hurricane Henry Armstrong, Double Champ

Success sits lightly on the husky and capable shoulders of Henry Armstrong. The reigning sensation of the flstic universe, proprietor of the most amazing winning streak the ring has ever produced, refuses to take himself seriously. When I get to thinking about these last two years, I don't believe myself-so I don't think about 'em," he says.
 Pleasant, intelligent, Well-spoken, Armstrong represents the result of perseverance and determination in the face of all manner of discourag- ing handicaps and bitter disappoint- mentS.
 Homicide Hank has come up the hard way!
 Worked Early
 The youngest of a family of thir- teen children, Armstrong made his terrestrial debut in St. Louis on Dec. 12, 1912. He knew little of childhood pleasures for the family, though in- dustriouS, was not overly blessed with what this world calls riches. Henry was a tot of only five when 1I1s mother passed on to the sleep that knows no awakening, and for the next ten years the youngster contributed his bit toward the fam .fN's coffers by taking odd jobs here and there after school hours.
 Henry was pointing himself for 8 medical career, but after graduating from high school he did not have the money necessary to enter col- lege. Nor could he find part-time job that would enable him to cover expenses. So he sidetracked his medical ambitions and went to work with a railroad section gang . It was back-breaking job for little fellow (Henry weighed only about 116 then) to haul those ties and rails and swing those heavy hammers. But the job did have one compensation-it helped Armstrong develop those husky shoulders and arm muscles which account for his tremendous punching power today. Pin Alley To RiEg
 Leaving the railroad gang, Henry next went to work in bowling alley some twelve miles from his home. Along about that time the inimita- ble Cash-and-C Pyle was launching his famous Bunion Derby and young Henry, Visioning the gruelling cross-country grind as means of raising the money for a college course, decided to enter the race. To prepare for this, he insisted on running the mile distance from his home to the bowling acad- emy.
 An older brother, Harry, felt the < youngSter was wasting a lot of effort in 8 nonSensical cause. Harry, an amateur boxer himself, convinced Henry that the Bunion Derby would bring him nothing but load of grief and that boxing offered more promising future.
 So, in 1929, Henry announced his : decision to try his luck in the prize , ring. Mixed matches were barred in St. Louis at the time, however, and after only two amateur bouts, lack of opposition forced Henry and Harry to seek more fertile fields In an old battered flivver they drove to Pittsburgh. The pickins were not much better there than they had been in St. Louis, and after Henry had chalked up three wins the pair headed back home. From there they moved to California, arriving in Pas adena in the fall of 1881. For several months Henry campaigned in the various amateur bootleg" clubs in : the state, and Harry finally felt the youngster was ready for professional competition.
 Wirt Ross, prominent LOS Angeles manager, became interested in the young lad and under Ross wing Henry began to attract serious at tention. Following several minor triumphs, he was matched with Baby Arizmendi in Los Angeles two years ago.
 Armstrong handed Arizmendi a { thorough lacing in ten rounds-and did it so convincingly that Eddie Mead, veteran New York manager, who was present, immediately offer ed to buy the youngsters contract. Ross price was $1O,O00. Al Jolson advanced Mead the money, Eddie took over Armstrong - and from ------------- -