DARCY HEART-BROKEN.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3251, 28 August 1917, Page 2

DARCY HEART-BROKEN.

DIES AFTER SHORT ILLNESS. PATHETIC END OF THE PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA. NEVER UNDERSTOOD IN AMERICA. (From the "Seattle Post Intelligencer.") By Royal Brougham. Les Darcy, the wonder lad from Australia who never had a chance, has lost his last fight. The boy who laughed at dangers of the ring and for whom the strenuous life of a boxing champion held no terrors, ljas taken the count after a short struggle with the Champion of Champions. Darcy died at 1.4 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon at Memphis, Tenn. The end of the most talked-of boxer in the world is the most pathetic in ring history. Broken in spirit at his reception in this country, anxious only for a chance to prove his worth, the pride of the Antipodes was an easy victim to pneumonia. Misunderstood, branded as a slacker, and barred from showing the skill which carried him to the top rank in the middleweight class, Darcy's sudden end was hastened by a broken heart. DIED IN AMERICAN SERVICE. That he was not a slacker the good-looking youngster from across the Facific has proved. He died in the service of his new country, having enlisted in the aviation corps shortly before taken ill. Pronounced by Capt. Christie, of the medical corps, as the most perfect specimen of manhood that had ever applied for enlistment in the corps, Darcy was a welcome addition to the American fighting forces. His death will be mourned by thousands of the followers of the sport whose sympathies have always been with the popular Australian. That he never had a chance to show the boxing skill that conquered the best of the American boxers will always be regretted in this country.

Darey's story is a sad one. The idol of the land where he was born, Darcy was in the same position as Alexander the Great. He had no more worlds to conquer. The youngster, who rose out of nowhere into pugilistic fame by victories over the best men in the world, was barred from leaving Australia. Darcy wanted to go to America, not because he was afraid to go to the war, but because he wanted to realise the dream of his life —to establish himself as the undisputed champion of the middleweight division. When he stole away as a stoker on a freighter bound for America, all Australia rose in anger and branded him with the name that followed him to this country. Although he protested that it was his desire for world's boxing honors and rich purses to send home to his mother and younger brothers that caused the move, those who heralded him as Australia's greatest athlete turned and branded him as a coward.

Darey's reception in New Yoifc would have made Gen. Joffre emerald with envy. Specially chartered steam yachts met the visitor as the tramp ship steamed into the Gotham harbour. He was feted and praised by the press. His head was turned with fabulous offers of $50,000 purses by zealous promoters. His fortune seemed assured. And then his dream faded. HIS DREAM FADED. Severing <|f diplomatic relations between America and Germany caused Gov. Whitman, of .New York, to brand Darcy as a bad example to the youth of this country because of his action in leaving Australia He forbid Darcy to box within the boundaries of New York state. This was the beginning of Darey's fall. Other matches were made, but in every case the example set by Gov. Whitman was followed. If Darcy wasn't good encugh to box in New York, he could not box in any other state. One bout after another was cancelled until the youngster gave up hope entirely. Little was known of his illness until last Saturday, when a report that he was seriously ill was sent out from Memphis. The end came yesterday.

Fred Gilmore and Mike Hawkins, his manager and trainer, respectively. were the only friends who witnessed Darcy's death. A cablegram was sent to the dead boy's mother in Australia, and the body will be held in the South pending instructions from there.

And meanwhile the world will mcurn the passing of one of the most promising and. until of late, the most popular athlete ever developed.