A PUGILISTIC M.P.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2760, 22 March 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

A PUGILISTIC M.P.

I.v tho midst of all this present stir over what it pleases some people to term the "Revival of the Prize Ring," aud while J. L. Sullivan is still swaggering about his intention of representing Boston in Congress, a few words concerning the only prize-fighter who was ever a member of Parliament may not be out of placo. His name was John Gully, tmd he was the son of an innkeoper iu tbo village of Wick, near Bath. In those days the fistic art was regarded as a regular science aud was openly patronised by the highest and wealthiest iu tho land, and almost every town or villugo throughout England had its "champion," just as wo have our cricket and football ohampioDS iu every county now. There always existed a tierce jealousy between Bristol and Bath as to the preeminence of their respective champions, and on the evening of a fair day iu the latter town young Gully stw his first liirhfc. Tho encounter was betwepn tho Bristol champion—a giant of IS stono, commonly called Sixteen String Jack—and tho home champion, known as the Flying Tinman, a young fellow of about twelve stone. Iu the course of twenty minutes tho Flying Tinman was dono for, amid the terriHic shouts of the Bristol men, who carried their hero round the ring in triumph. Of course the hero mado a " bouncing''speech, which ho concluded by inquiring if there were any more "Bath squirts" who wanted polishing off, at he was quite ready for a dozen of 'em, 'an would send 'em all home to their mothers in his cart. This roused young Gully, "Father, let me have a set-to j with that great brute !" he cried. " No, no, John," said the old man. "Suppose he should kill thee, boy; 'twould be the death of thy mother; I shall know when I've had enough." And with these words the young fellow threw his hat into the ring and stripped. When the Bristol conqueror saw the comparatively fragile figure before him, he oried out with a grin, " Get the cart ready, for in ten minutes I will send this baby home to his mother a crying." But he forgot to keep his word—for in ten minutes the "babby" had given him as sound a thrashing as ever any man got before, and he had to he carried to his own cart, amid the joyous shouts of the people, who were bearing on their shoulders the young victor in triumph. The fame of young Gully was not loog in reaching London, and emissaries arrived at Wick with tempting oilers to induce him to visit Town and enter the prize ring. For a time all temptations were rejected, in deference to the wishes of his parents. At last, however, ho obtained permission to visit London, and his most brilliant achievements were in defeating the giant Grcgson twicc. His manly, straightforward conduct obtained for him the patrouago of the highest in the land, by whom he was introduced into the racing room. Soon lie became one of the most distinguished members at Tattersall's. He bought and bred raGehorses, and honestly rati them, He amassed a cplondid fortune, and altiinately became a member of Parliament for Pomfret. He lived to a good old age, and died sincerely regretted by all classes, from the prince to the peasant.— Globe.