Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1905)
if CURRENT GOSSIP IN THE ATHLETIC FIELD John L. Sullivan's Desire to Re-Enter Ring Is Press Agent ' Device Champion Woman Sculler to Row at Fair, PRESS AGENT BOOST What the Sullivan - Mitchell Match Means. DATE. IS SET WELL AHEAD Famous John It. Now Just Three Hundred Pounds of Putty, and to Gall the Bout a Fight Is Ridiculous. So poor old John I. Sullivan and Char ley Mitchell are going to box 15 rounds! Tou will have to call this meeting between these two old ring jewels a boxing match, lor it would give the imagination a tre mendous jolt to think of it as a fight The skillful press agent who nas been booming the ancient champion finally got to the point where he had to make good. He was very careful to set the date of the contest for some time in September, a date that will be satisfactory for both of the contestants and the public at large. 2t will give the public a chance to forget that they are to meet and a cnance for both principals to go home and behave themselves. Frank Hall has certainly worked his Sullivan-Mitchell fight talk to a frazzle. Heams of stuff have been printed about this match, not alone by the gullible sport ing writers, but by the space-killers as well. Some bf the writers have grabbed Hall's dope without experience, but there "is one writer who evidently got the colic in his effort to digest the Sulllvan-Mltch-ell notices. He Is the San Francisco Bul letin man. Just read what he has to liand out: It has been wisely said In the right quar ters that a good press agent Is more than half the battle. We have grot to hand It to the publicity promoter In tow of old John Lawrence Sullivan for his continuous and earnest efforts to keep the poor' old has-been In the print of the country. At that, his work Is very, very raw, and looks like about time he was suppressed. Just at pesent Sullivan is barnstorming up in the Northwest with an Uncle Tom's Cabin company or some other equally atro cious Infliction on a foolish and overcredu Joua public Of eourse it Is the business of the aforesaid publicity promoter. to set the riame of Sullivan in type as often as possible. It Is hard to say just what brand Is being smoked by the party, for some weird efforts ore made from every stop. Since Charley Mitchell has come Into the public eye here on the Coast, the Irre pressible press agent person has been hurling challenges, which may possibly, but hardly probably, be taken seriously by the pro vincials. Wouldn't that jar you, to imagine the old tub trying t oput up a fight? Anyway, It would if you got a peek at the 300 pounds of mush that Is talking, or Is supposed . to be talking through his press agent about fight ing. It Is too silly to think of. much less to no tice. Sullivan has been free lunching off the public and his friend? so long that he has become a public nuisance. He has been staked -more times than he has hairs in his head, aad has had more benefits than X'attl bad farewell performances! No one has been kinder to Sullivan than Charley Mitchell, who does not even now speak the contempt that he undoubtedly feels. When Sullivan had a big benefit in Boston a couple of years ago Mitchell went all the way from New York: to Boston at his own expense and boxed three or four rounds with Jack McAullffe, who is now in the heavy weight class of size, and in addition to that, both McAullffe and Mitchell subscribed money to the benefit fund. Mitchell Is stronger and harder than the majority of men half his age. and could put tip a good bout with some good ones, if he wanted to do such a foolish thing as to get Into a ring again. Sullivan Is nothing more than something like 300 pounds of putty and is liable to topple over from apoplexy at any time. If Jimmy Britt were to land one punch the old man would be out. It may not sound good-natured to kill the press agent work of Sullivan, but neverthe less It should be suppressed. Sullivan himself is not a bad sort. He has been always a popular idol and he has done thinga that would have caused the populace to drive him out of the country. Because it was the once mighty John L. who did these things they were promptly forgiven. Sullivan has always been a good, consistent booze-fighter. When aober he Is a good fellow and always faithful to his friends. It was this trait in his character that made friends and foes forgive him when he would break loose and rough-house when in his cups. He has squandered a couple of for tunes; and he admits himself that the most of this money went to people who worked him while he was in his con vivial, moments. It can never be said of Sullivan that he ever denied a man a piece of money who was in want. He has also always been on the square and It seems a shame that now, after all the years that he has been in retirement, ithat he should spoil his record by trying to break back into the fighting game. tKo one, at least not any of the old fight tfans, will go to 6ce this boxing match between Sullivan and Mitchell. They like the old Boston boxer too well to go "A WORD TO THE As a matter or business advertising we are giving away a $250.00 Gold China Cabinet and Silver Set You get 1 coupon with each 50c purchase. Phone or mail your orders and your coupons will be sent to you. If you don't want the China Cabinet you can exchange it for House Fur niture to the value of $175.00, and have the $75.00 Silver Set besides. This makes the handsomest present ever offered by a Portland business house. OREGON IMPORTING and see him and take the chances of seeing him whipped. Sullivan's mistakes have been many, but the greatest mistake is allowing Frank Hall to match him with MltchelL There is not one chance in a hundred that these old fighters will ever meet In a 15-round go. It will be noticed that, in spite of all the talk Hall was making about put ting up thousands until they counted tens, that not a cent was placed as for feit The sweet-worded sentence that the reputations of both was sufficient as & guaranty that they would be on hand sounds great. The actual money, or a certified check, would have lent the match some reality. Tommy Burns, who recently defeated Dave Barry at Tacoma, leaves this week for Detroit, where he goes to fight Hugo Kelly. Burns will meet Kelly in a ten round battle June 1. Both Burns and Kelly were at one time under the same management and have always wanted a chance to exchange wallops in the ring. Kelly's recent victory over Jack O'Brien has sent his stock up a hundred points. Burns also fought O'Brien and the Phila delphlan received a decision over him. After meeting Kelly, Bums will return to Portland and train for his fight with Jack O'Brien at Tacoma, July 4. Portland Academy Wins. The Portland Academy defeated Barclay High School at Oregon City yesterday afternoon by a score of IS to 2. The game was very one-sided, owing to the inabil ity of Todd, the Barclay pitcher, to keep down the hits. He did not receive good support, his team making seven errors. The Academy boys played a steady game, considering the wet condition of the field, and proved themselves superior players. Reed, Troy Myers and Thorne took turns in the box,xand kept the hits well scattered. The Academy showed better form than It has before this season, while Barclay did not play as good a game as when It defeated Hill last week. The score by in nings: Portland Academy Total. Runs 4 3 2 31 0 1 2 0-16 Hits 23 251 0 130-17 Barclay High School Runs 0 010000102 Hits 0 1110200 16 Batteries Portland Academy, Reed. T. Myers, Thorne and Hlgglns; Barclay High School, Todd and Young. Biff Double Today. Two of the most notable events of the season in athletic circles will positively take place at the Twenty-fourth and Vaughn-street grounds this afternoon, commencing promptly at 2 P. M. The first contest to take place will be the baseball game between the strong Schiller and University Park clubs for the champion ship of the city. There has been a 5200 purse hung up for the winners, and the fans can expect a battle royal. Commenc ing at 3:15 P. M., the star ecnt of the day, namely the much-touted lacrosse game, will take place. This game is very important, as the winner will represent this city during the season in the Lewis and Clark Exposition games. The ball teams will line up as follows: Schlllers. University Parks. Slavin-Bredemler ..C. Brock Hunter-Llllis P. Moore-Trowbridge Haynes IB : Williams Johnson 2B Campbell Patterson SB Houston Hlgglnbott SS Gray It. Parrott LF HInkle A. Parrott CF Smith Oliver RF Gaines On Horseback From Tacoma. Among the sportsmen of the week Is Chauncey R. "Wlnslow, the Portland and San Francisco rubber shoe magnate, who purposed to ride his new mare Maude from Tacoma to Portland, and his frlencs along. Front street have just dlscovcrea that the most pleasant part or the jour ney was in the steamer Kellogg, by which Mr. Winslow and his mare were brought from Kelso to this city. It is said that the mare got tired before Mr. Winslow did. At first Mr. Winslow calculated that he would ride on horseback from Tacoma to Portland in about a week's time, and take in the scenery and rustic pictures at his leisure. However, his friends are congratulating him that nt arrived home several days ahead of time. After Tacoma, the roads were puzzling, so much so that at the start. May 13, the most alluring of them led ultimately Into sawmills. But the road became better, and Maud Justified all the good things her previous owner said about her. Portlana was reached last Wednesday. Columbia looses to Willamette. SALEM. Or.. May 20. (Special.) Wil lamette University gave Columbia her first drubbing this season In a fast game this afternoon. The visitors went up in the air in the fifth and eighth Innings, and when they came down the score was 11 to 5. The locals ascended in the sixth and let in four runs. McKenna sent the ball over the fence and scored the other in the fifth. Both pitchers were in good form, but Jerman had the better of Mangold and kept hits well scattered. Neither side reached ttyird until the fifth inning, and in the last of the game Jerman fanned out the visitors as fast as they came up. striking out three men with nine balls. Matthews was star sticker for Willa mette, making three hits out of four chances and each time scored runs. The intercollegiate state championship is thus left in doubt. TO HOWATTHEFAIR Champion Woman Sculler Is Coming. NOW ON HER WAY TO COAST Exhibition or 3Iateh Race Is Now Being Arranged for Mrs. Ed ward X. Athcrton Under Exposition Auspices. Unless some hitch should occur in the present plans one of the unique features in the Exposition's calendar of sports will be the appearance of Mrs. Edward M. Atherton. of Hartford. Con., champion oarswoman of the world. Mrs. Atherton, better known on Eastern waters under her maiden riame. Miss Til He Ashley, is now on her way to the Coast and will remain in Portland during the Fair. Mr. Atherton. who is in Port land at present, is arranging with Man ager of Athletics H. W. Kerrigan for a race for Mrs. Atherton during the Expo sition regattas. It Is the hope of all parties that a contest can be pulled off between Mrs. Atherton and some other woman sculler, but failing in this, the woman -champion will probably row an exhibition race. It lsvposslble, too, that since Mrs. Atherton ! anything but faint-hearted and not at all averse to meeting any competitor, she may row against some of Portland's crack men. Mrs. Atherton's love for the water Is shown in not only her rowing, but in swimming as well, being an adept In the StRS. EDWARD latter sport. She is easily In the 12:30 class for a mile and a half in rowing and has made the quarter In 1:35. Mrs. Atherton was born In Chrlstlanla, Norway, coming to America with her father, a fisherman, while a mite of a girl. She early showed a predilection for the water and received her first Instruc tions in pulling an oar in her father's cumbersome flshlng-boat. Her father prophesied that by constant work she would some day be the champion oars ''' jjlll "jjjl I X. ATHEKTON', CHAMPIOX WOMAN SINGLE woman, and this has always been her am bition. The progrem from the fisherman's mid get assistant to woman's champion has been marked by stages represented by so many different kinds of craft, from the heavy fishing tub and the llat-bottocicd skiff to the regulation racing bhell. In a recent Interview In the East, Mrs. Atherton said: "I have been passionately fond of row ing all my life, and think It far nicer- WISE" COMPANY SCULLER. than bicycling, horseback riding or even au'tomobillng. I am always ready for a race and try to keep In condition through out the year. The Winter work Is, how ever, what might be called gymnasium work, and It Is only during the Summer that I do hard river work. I first start my training Un the Spring by taking ex ercise In a Whitehall boat, and then as soon as the weather permits I commence rowing in my paper shell for short, easy stretches. After two or three weeks of IS UNNECESSARY REFERENCES: this I am ready for work, in the cedar shelL I take this out in the morning for a paddle of a mile and return. In the afternoon I take another row of a mila and a half and return with spurts at in tervals. Later I go to the mile and a half under time, but row only once a day during this period." HIT HARDER," SAYS 3IACE Venerable Pugilist Spars at a Benefit in London. During the opening stages of a highly select, though mixed, variety and boxing entertainment at the Horns. Kennlngton. says the London Express, in a recent issue, there sat in the front row an elder ly gentleman of such entirely benign and comfortable and grandfatherly appear ance that one's gaze was instinctively and sympathetically turned upon him. Snow-white curls rippled from beneath his glossy silk hat, and a diamond pin of dazzling splendor illuminated even the brightness of his crimson tie. A long fawn overcoat covered a pair of massive shoulders and half-concealed his immacu late white flannel trousers. The elderly gentleman seemed to have no object in life but to smile in a kindly way upon the world. Presently he arose and walked with .somewhat aged footsteps onto the stage and passed through a little door. Anon he reappeared, and so changed was he that one could scarcely recognize him. Like the old blacksmith in Conan Doyle's famous pugilistic tale. "Rodney Stone," the elderly gentleman stood forth, stripped, with a gnarled neck and long, strong arms upon which the muscles stood out like whipcord. But he still smiled in a most benign and grandfatherly way. As a matter of fact, the elderly gentle man was Jem Mace, who, after nearly 50 years of peaceful and secluded life, stepped again Into the prize ring at the age of 74- Not that Jem Mace Is 74 years old In spirit. He Is still a boy at heart, and his youngest daughter was born only a few weeks ajo. Nearly half a century ago the name of, Jem Mace struck awe into the hearts of average men. Tom Sayers, perhaps the , best-Tcnown prize-fighter In the history of the ring, gave up his belt to Jem Mace ' sooner than meet him. J Jem Mace sparred April 4 last at the benefit organized on his behalf with Wolfe Bendoff, who some years ago. backed by Barney Barnato. fought In South Africa for the biggest stakes on record 4300 a side. The smiling and white-haired old gen tleman led off with a lusty left, and then skipped nimbly out of punishment upon a pair of feet that once were the pioneers of "leg work" in the prize ring. The first round was brisk and full of hitting. But It was not brisk enough to suit the sep tuagenarian, who between his smiling lips was murmuring: "Hit harder, boy! Hit harder! I've a hard old nut and a hard old heart. Hit harder!" So In the next round big Wolfe Bendoff hit harder, and the sprightly, slippery youth of 74 hit harder still. The assem bled sportsmen of Kennlngton and Cam berwell cheered loudly. At the beginning of the third round the boxing grandfather came up gamely and smiling more benignly than ever. The gnarled bid arms flashed and twinkled, and bit and parried and countered with the swiftness of a motor car and the strength of a traction engine. Blows fell upon the grand old arched chest, but Jem Mace did not seem to feel them, and at the end of the final round he shook hands with his opponent, blew kisses with his gloved hands, and then skipped off the stage with the air of a kitten that has been toying with a mouse Afterward, amid an admiring circle of pugilists at least three -generations younger than himself, he said he did not want to fight any more, but, by Jingo! If he did. And he threw out a challenge to the whole world. He was prepared to meet any man of any weight 30 years his junior. Fortunately for Jem. his exhibition was given early In the evening, for after his rounds with Bendoff the police Interfered. The management had brought down a real boxing ring, with the orthodox crlm-son-colorea posts and ropes, but for rea sons of policy this had to be hidden away behind the grand piano. A batch of well known boxing champions had gathered to demmstrato on sparring. They stripped, but the police would not allow them to put up their hands. Ther-j was George Bowker. who the oth er day knocked out "Pedlar" Palmer: Dixon, "the colored wonder," who has foughr more fights than any man In the world." and Stanley, the eight-stone two pound champion. Shivering in their boxing kit they were paraded qn ;he stage, when the manager of the establishment announced that the police would not allow the sport to pro ceed. Upon this there were some cries of "Give us our money back!" from gentle men in the gallery of the hall, but the resourceful management immediately launched upon the stage a young and beautiful damsel In pink tights, who danced the objectors into a softer mood. Thereupon Jem Mace went below to quaff a humble glass of ale and issue bis challenge to the 54-year-old manhood of the globe. MacLeay Wins Blyth Trophy. The scratch medal of the Waverly Golf Club, the Blyth trophy, was won on the links yesterday "by Roderick L. MacLeay with a score of 82. OUT-OF-TOWN We will send you four (4) big full quarts of our famous" six (6) year-old Stubble Rye for $3.25 and prepay all 'express charges. Mail us your order. Your money back if you don't find Stubbie Rye the best value you ever had. MERCHANTS NATIONAL RANK VELLS-FARGO EXPRESS COMPANY 195 THIRD STREET PHONE MAIN 380 DIRECT AGENTS FOR DISTILLERY 76, LINCOLN CO., KENTUCKY RIVALS !N LAGRflSSE Local Teams Will Struggle for Supremacy. OPENING OF SEASON TODAY rortlands Will Meet the Shamrocks. Teams of Northwest Will Later Compete for- Cham pionship Honors. This Is a red-letter jaj- m Oregon la crossedom. For Portland believes that she at last has lacrosse boys who have a fair chance of landing at the Exposition games the coveted lacrosse championship of the Pacific Northwest, Hardy, expe rienced players have flocked under the Portland banner from the North, and they are as good at sttckwork as you will find anywhere in this country. So why should not Portland have a chance? This afternoon at 3:15 o'clock, rain or shine, the first struggle for lacrosse su premacy begins at the baseball grounds. Twenty-fourth and Vaughn streets, when the Portlands will face their bitter rivals, the Shamrocks, also of this city. Who ever wins the match will represent this city In forthcoming tournaments at the Exposition. Besides, attack men have old scores to pay, met with during practice, and the match is certain to be lively. The Portlands pin their faith to Stacy, Jack McDonnell. Marshall, C. A. Stewart, Shaw, Watson. Walls, Horban, Hague. McNIcholl. McDougall. Tommy Burns and others. The Shamrocks are just as con fident with Jackson. Hyatt, Jennings. Por ter, Hawes, Campbell. Beckwlth. Hamil ton, Saunderson. Lawrence, A. McDougall. Wilson and others. It's a toss-up, and may the best team win. Both have worked hard. From personal observation, there is no doubt that Portland has very mucn -stronger teams than last year. Strict at tention has been given to training. This Is a great contrast to la3t season, when In the opening game against Seattle the one Portland team was tired out at the end of the first 30-mInute3 play. Portland this year-13 after championship honors in lacrosse. There are now tw& teams in the city, and prospects ot an other one being formed. Appreciating the fact that the hardest games will be against British Columbia -teams, the lo cals are Instituting a special styte of play, as used by northern players. This con sists of short, swift passes, as against the. long runs used by Eastern teams. This style was first Introduced by the once famous New Westminsters, who toured the country from the Pacific to the At lantic Coast, sweeping everything before them. The Westminsters are back In the league this year. They started the season by defeating Vancouver. B. C, last Sat urday, and are captained by George Oddy, last year's captain of the Portlands. Very few lacrosse players are better than Oddy. but Portland this year has a number of men who are at least the equal of this, player, and Portland may be a'factsr ,fa the championship that the northern t-e wag are overlooking. ' Letters have been senfto all the lead ing teams of this country 'and Canada, regarding the world's championship games to be held at the Lewis and Clark Exposition. A number of the big clubs will, no doubt, participate. Vancouver, B. C. will be welcome here, as during their California tour two years ago they proved, themselves good sportsmen and gentle men In every sense of the word. American Is Disqualified. LONDON. May 20. In the International cycling races at the Crystal Palace today. F. L. Kramer, American, finished first in the mile (scratch) event. Schilling, of Holland, Mayer of Germany and Frivol, of France, followed in the order named. Later it was announced that Kramer had been disqualified for boring, and that Schilling had been awarded the race. The time was 2 minutes 12 3-5 seconds. In the quarter-mile race, Mayer was first; Kramer second, and Schilling third; time, 36 3-5 seconds. Kramp won the half mile; Schilling second and Mayer third; time, 1:02 2-5. Johnson and Cove Matched. TACOMA. Wash.. May 20. (Special.) Bobby Johnson, the Coast featherweight who has championship aspirations, has been matched to meet Percy Cove before the Tacoma Amateur Athletic Club early In June. Cove has defeated every man he has met here. In hollow style, and this match will be a real tryout for Johnson. Lowers Auto Record. NEW YORK. May 20. At an automobile meet at the .Morris Park track today, Louis Chevrolet lowered the world's rec ord for a mile, flying start, by covering the distance in 52 4-5 seconds. The pre vious record of 53 seconds was held by Barney Oldneld. TRADE A