J.L. SULLIVAN

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

J.L. SULLIVAN

THE EX-BOXER'S LIFE STORY

We quote the following account of the life story of John L. Sullivan from the

"Christian Budget":—"The announcement that John L. Sullivan has been converted, by the instrumentality of Mr Moody, has taken both Church and world by surprise. Details of this incident will probably be furnished both by Mr Moody and Mr Sullivan: but In the meantime a summary of the life of the famous ex-puglllst will interest our readers. It will quickly appear that if a character of this kind can be changed from darkness to light, the Gospel is to-day exercising the same power over sinful hearts as in days past.

"John L. Sullivan was born October 15th, 1858, In Boston, America, of Irish parents, both of whom were small and feeble people. He was well educated, being sent from the Primary School to the Commercial College, and thence to Boston College. His parents were Roman Catholics, and WISHED HIM TO STUDY FOR THE PRIESTHOOD, but he had not the slightest wish to enter the Church. His first work was In the plumbing trade. He afterwards became a tinsmith, and then a mason. At the age of 19 he drifted into the occupation of a boxer, without ever taking a boxing lesson in his life. He gained the name of 'Strong Boy' by his extraordinary feats of lifting. A horse-car got off the track, and when six or eight men failed to lift it, he astonished the crowd by lifting it on himself. Whatever he undertook to do, he always determined to succeed. He always looked at the bright side, and always had it In mind that he would be conqueror. He soon challenged the whole world to meet him In the prize ring, and he rapidly became the sensational character of the sporting world. He came to England in October, 1887. His object, he says, was 'MONEY, GLORY, AND REVENGE.' Thousands of excited people were waiting to cheer him at the landing-stage. The crush was so great that a body-guard had to be formed to clear the road to the Grand Hotel. '1 had the distinction,' says he, 'of having interrupted the ordinary traffic both in London and Liverpool. The. crowd that followed me through the streets was described as a 'multitude!' At Crewe station the crowd was so anxious to see the great 'Knocker-Out' that many climbed the roof of the railway carriage. This was lepeated at Rugby and Willes:lc.., aud ful.y 5000 people assembled at Euston. Amongst these was Jem Mace, father of Alfred Mace, the evangelist, who preaches with some esteem amongst the 'Strict Brethren' in England. The pressure was so great that Sullivan jumped into the first carriage outside Euston Station which was accessible. So many of the crowd entered it that the bottom fell out, and Sullivan, to his astonishment, discovered that it was

A FUNERAL COACH!

It did not take him long to seek the brougham that was waiting for him. Such is the mania of the British public for what is called 'sport' that this hero of many degrading prize-fights became for months the rage of Loudon, and, indeed, of the whole United Kingdom. He -went on show, and held receptions all over the laud. As the Birmingham "Gazette" ' said, the public gave him a welcome scarcely afforded to any Royal Prince. The Prince of Wales met Sullivan and shook hands with him, after the pugilist had been entertained at a sumptuous banquet by tdc officer. • f the Scots Guards. Returning to America, Sullivan was attacked with fearful sickness. .He says: : "I hattyphoid fever, gastric fever, inflammation of the bowels, heart trouble, and liver complaint all combined.' He was now just 31 years of age. He was given up by two doctors. After recovering he was arrested and THROWN INTO GOAL for breaking the laws of the State of Misslssippi by engaging in pugilism. He was fined, and had to pay heavy costs. Two years ago Sullivan was a candidate for the office of Mayor of Boston. His election address was a curiosity, and not without touches of tenderness. He said that anybody who tried to bribe him would be 'an ambulance case.' He would find places for children to play in. 'I am no Socialist; I have handled millions of' dollars in my time; but it makes me tired to see the city spending millions on paths for horseback and bicycle riding and hollering "Anarchy" if a man asks for land that children can

have fun on. If I am ever Mayor of Boston my motto will be—Treat the poor right; give the dog a chance; tax the man that can afford to pay; help the poor women and girls that will be the mothers of the next crop of citizens; scare the thieves; doeverything in the open.' DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS John L. Sullivan has varied his occupations, taking to acting and tavern-keeping. But, as might be expected, drinking and dissipation led to failure of health, as well as reputation. After such a round of animal excitement, he has grown weary of its .surroundings, and has repented of his career. The great change of heart, which alone can bring peace, health, and happiness, has come to him also.

"The hard-hearted callousness of practised gamblers is proved by the fact that betting men are at this moment laying odds on the endurance of Sullivan's conversion, some wagering that he will hold out a few weeks, some three months, some six

months."