Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1914 — GIVING “OLD POP TIME” A MERRY TUSSLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GIVING “OLD POP TIME” A MERRY TUSSLE

(By FRANK G. MENKE.)

Old Pop Time is a mighty formidable foe, but records show that many athletes, in many different divisions, have given him some long and fierce tussles before the referee finally counted them out, while others, after nearly a score of years in active service, are still waging a merry little battle against their unbeatable enemy. There is no division in athletics that uses up a man’s vitality so much, none that makes a young man age so fast, none that is so strenuous as pugilism. It calls for everything there is in a man every moment he is in a battle, and practically every battle robs him of a little more of his natural strength, and leaves him. just a little easier for Pop Time to conquer. Yet, here is Bob Fitzsimmons, now nearing his fifty-second milestone, back in the ring again, and showing much of the speed and the ability that made a champion. Bob began fightingin 1891, yet a few nights back, just about 23 years after his first entry in the ring, he swapped punches with a youthful and husky “white hope” and gave that “white hope” a very impressive beating. Then there’s Jim Corbett, another ex-champion, who defied Old Pop Time for 17 years, and quit the fighting game, not so much because Pop forced him out of it, as to avail himself of an opportunity to go on the “stoige.” Kid McCoy, who began fighting soon after the fall of the Roman empire, and who recessed in his efforts a few years back, is in Paris now attempting a “come-back” despite the fact that loving friends are trying to lure him into the Old Men’s home. Some months before going to that gay European city, McCoy coaxed three alleged fighters into the ring in the United States, and, according to reports, disposed of the trio in a total of eight rounds —allowing one to remain on his pedals three rounds, another four rounds, and sending the third party to the mat in less than two minutes. Battling Nelson, who began retiring about six years ago, is still walking around with his chin exposed, with a terrible look in his lookers, and vowing that he can wallop the best men in his division, despite the fact that he has been fighting for 14 years.

. "Philadelphia Jack” O’Brien is another gent, who, after 15 years of service in the ring, has decided that Old Pop Time hasn’t conquered him yet. Just now Jack is back in training, and vows that soon he’ll get a match and show the world at large that he’s even better than when he was in his prime. George Dixon and Joe Gans, the wonderful negroes, lasted more than 16 years; George McFadden faded as a ring star only after 15 years of service; Joe Choynski battled unceasingly for 16 years; Harry Forbes lasted 15 years, and Joe Walcott saw 14 yeaas of active service before he really disappeared from the radius of the pugilistic spotlight. Melvin Shepard, the long distance runner, has been at it almost constantly for nearly 11 years, yet today seems as good as ever. George Bothner, the wrestler, began indulging in the grappling business about 20 years ago, and still grapples with much vigor. William Larned has been playing tennis for 15 years, and even now has but few peers. Coming .to baseball, one finds recorded the wonderful resistance to the attacks by Old Pop Time, that was shown by "Cap” Adrian Anson and "Cy” Young. Anson played major league ball for 22 years, and so did Young—truly remarkable records. Nap Lajoie of the Nape has been

in the big leagues 18 years, and looks good for several more at the very least Honus Wagner, the great Pirate shortstop, has been at it lor 17 years and shows no reai**higns of “slipping.” Jimmy Callahan of the White Sox began his big league career 20 years ago and still plays the game, but he dropped out of big league baseball for a few years, and so can’t be counted as a consistent performer in the exclusive circle.

Tommy Leach, recently appointed captain of the Chicago Cubs, when John Evers was deposed as manager, begins his eighteenth season this spring, but Tommy is about through. Willie Keeler lasted 19 years in the big leagues, Hughey Jennings was an active/baseball man for 16, Bill Sullivan lasted 17, Harry DaVis held out 17, Fred Clarke, manager of the Pirates, has been connected with the game for 20 years, but part of this time he has been bench manager. Johnny Kling, after 17 years, has announced his permanent retirement. But, after all, Old Pop Time is the champion of champions—the athletes* wonderful as they are, must sooner or later fall before his merciless unceasing attacks.

Tommy Leach, Captain of the Chicago Cubs.