JACK LEWIS PASSES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 211, 6 September 1941, Page 5 (Supplement)

JACK LEWIS PASSES

Carried Swag When He Won 1898 Stawell Gift

Another long link of the Stawell Gift was severed on August 10, when John Samuel ("Doc") Lewis, the winner of the 1898 Stawell. Gift, held at Central Park after the transfer from the old Botanical Reserve, died at his home at Preston in his seventyfifth year. He served in the 1914-18 war.

So as not to attract undue attention on his arrival at Stawell some days before the fixture, he strolled into the town carrying . . BWa B and camped at the Botanical Reserve, says a writer in *|*e Sporting Globe (Melbourne).

I WONDER when we three shall meet again! Let us hope it will be here next year again!"

This was the remark of "Bill" Mcf anus : former all-round world pro. champion, as he. Jack Lewis and Geo. Conn (runner-up in the 1897 Gift) were photographed last year for the Globe underneath the mighty gum tree at Central Park, Stawell.

However, illness prevented Jack Lewis from attending Stawell at Easter this year. Subsequently his condition became worse, and as the result of an attack of bronchial pneumonia he died three weeks ago and wag buried at Fawkner Cemetery. Many old friends paid their last respects to a fine sportsman and solvit He served with the A.I.F. from 1915-17 and was slightly injured.

Born in Sydney, Jack Lewis was e u P a ted there. He always showed Rood speed on the track and football eld. For some tinie he and his rothers, Tom and Syd. (who were ae r prominent footballers in West ustralia), were associated with eir father in a commercial and art Printing business in Sydney.

In the boom days of footrunning ack Lewis competed at the famous ?. " y an d Carjrington grounds, T?, a ttracted some of the oriels best peds. from America and "gland, as well as from distant Parts of Australia and New Zealand. 6 also raced at Clarence River and °tner country towns.

app 2 Euroa (Victoria) at the earn J* ' » he sta rted business as a SDortem, u versatile and popular cHrirf^ an i, captained the Euroa time football teams for some rarincr i. was a^so a prominent f» cyclist on country tracks. Camouflage! w/n Cl L h j ld s P e cially trained for StaI'arrlo v llan dicapped on 1 1 idPntiV.. wishing to disclose his lions t n training prcpara»>arrived carrying a with old clothes and boots. trainer pegged out a serve r* at olcl Botanical Reinrpnti, ver ! ue of thc its Ption, and for some ti.-.y.s trained

in peace, away from the scouts at Central Park, which was to be used for the first time and where most Gift aspirants had assembled. Lewis won the thirteenth heat comfortably from M. L. Finn (Biyds) and S. Murray (7yds)—"odds-on favourite"—in 12 4-ss. He had no trouble to win the second "semi" from M. V. Morrisey (12yds) and J. A. Errington (12yd) in 12 l-ss. Backed at fairly long odds before the heats, he was second favourite in the final at two's. The six finalists finished as follows: J. S. Lewis (Euroa, 14yds), 1; J. Maroney (Helensburgh, N.S.W\, Biyds), 2; F. E. Muller (Hamilton, 13yds), 3; E. Grace (Narrandera, N/.5.W., 7yds), an aboriginal, 4; R. Royle (Melbourne, 11yds), 5; and A. R. Brown (Kensington, 9yds), 6.

At 50 yards Maroney forced his way up to the first division and nearing the tape seemed a likely winner, but J. Lewis put in a strong finish and gained the verdict by 2ft in 11 4-ss, with inches separating Maroney and Muller. After Stawell he raced at Broadford, Mooroopna, Yea and surrounding districts. Enlistfng in the A.I.F. from Euroa in 1917, he came to live in Melbourne after the war and retired from active work ten years ago. He maintained his interest in footrunning to the end. Did Not Try Again Lewis never returned to Stawell as a competitor because he realised that the handicappers had his full measure. For several years he lived at Proeton and for some time was employed in the Defence Department at South Melbourne, in the Transport Department. When he visited Stawell last year Lewis had a great time w'th George Conn and Bill McManus.

In 1939 he revisited Stawell for the first time since he won the 1898 Gift and was astounded at the wonderful growth of the club.

"Jack Lewis was an acquisition to the sport. I well remember his Gift victory in 1898. I was a member of the committee of the club and we formed a high opinion of Lewis,'.' said Harry Henderson, in referring to the passing of the Stawell Gift veteran.