NEBRASKA STATE JOURNAL, 1910.
JOHN MORRISSEY FIGHT WITH "YANKEE" SULLIVAN
'PRIZEFIGHTER, Adventurer Politician, Began in
a Paper Mill and Made a Million, Went to
Congress, Defied Tweed and Kelly and Was
Never Beaten in a Fair Fight on Any Battle Ground.
As the first period in the history of the prize ring ends
with "Tom" Johnson, and the second with "Tom" Spring,
so the third the brief championship of "Tom" King.
from the 60's on the ring became less and less an
exclusively British institution, the influence of America,
and later Australasia, changing conditions and traditions.
After the retirement of King, his old opponent,
"Jem" Mace, who is still living in London, a hale,
hearty and well liked old man, resumed the world's title,
which had been wrested from him. A retrospect at this
point is necessary to trace the course of the American
championship before it became merged with the championship
of the world.
The first recorded championship fight in this
country was between Jacob Hyer and Thomas
Beasley,in 1816,won by the former. The next
American boxer of note was "Tom" Hyer, who
beat John McCuster in 101 rounds in 1841.
Hyer retained the national title by defeating
"Yankee" Sullivan in 1849.
A few years later John Morrissey appeared as
a claimant, and a match, was made, but Hyer
forfeited. This left Sullivan and Morrissey to
decide between them the question of the American
championship.
THERE were "gang" fights in Troy during
1840,the kind that used to rage in the streets
of American cities as fiercely as any factional
row of Middle Age Italy. Few persons
were interested save the good citizens of
Troy, who thought dolefully upon their shattered
windows, but out of the flurry of clubs and brickbats
came a man. It was John Morrissey.
John Morrisscy never cared much for cudgels and
flying missiles. Nature hail endowed him with a
frame of iron, two gigantic fists, the qualities of honesty,
shrewdness and the force of the leader. Instead
of marshalling his cohorts of the "uptown
gang" in the heaving of rocks upon the "downtown
gang," he took a cleaner, a more effective and more
congenial way of impressing his immediate views
upon his opponents.
Within a. year, having then attained
the age of eighteen, he called out and conquered
in single combat, one after another, nine of
the enemy. The thing was done quite casually and
with no other reason than because he preferred a
Standup fight to his breakfast mid the arbitrament to
fists to that of bricks. When it was over the "downtowners"
were crushed, if that meant anything, and
John 'Morrissey was a great name in what sporting
circles the country could boast of.
TIpperary was the county of his birth, and while
he was engaged in his vanquishing of the nine he
worked first in a paper mill and later in an iron foundry."
where one of his fellow employes was John C.
Heenan, who afterward made such an ambitious 'bid
for pugilistic fame. In 1850 ho found himself stranded
in New York with $5 in his jeans, ready to fight anything
that stood on two feet. nothing of that class
being forthcoming, he joined the gold rush and
stowed away on the mail steamer to Panama.
Escaping righteous wrath by slipping ashore at the
isthmus, he tried his $5 against a faro bank, ran it
up to $700,and then lost, his last cent. A steamer
was about to start from the other side for California,
ticket quoted at $1,500. With a companion, Cunningham,
he evaded the armed sentries and stowed
away a second time. Three days out they were discovered
and were about to be set ashore at, the end
of the earth -Acapulco - when the steerage mutinied.
"Who'll stand by me?" asked the captain.
"We're here," said Morrissey, leading Cunningham
forward .
"Can you fight?" asked the captain.
"Why, sir," said Morrissey, "in a manner of speaking,
it's my trade." So the two overawed the mutineers
and earned their passage to Sail Francisco,
Morrissey using the steerage as a training camp.
After an unsuccessful venture to Queen Charlotte's
Island in search of gold Morrissey came back to San
Francisco, once more penniless, to find that one styling
himself George Thompson was announced as the
general challenger for the pugilistic title of California
and $1,000. This was n windfall, Morrissey
hunted up backers and put away Thompson and his
$1000 in eleven rounds. Then he returned to the
East, challenged "Tom" Hyer, the champion of
America, and assumed that title himself when Hyer
forfeited.
Taking the management a public house in New
York, Morrissey became the centre of local sporting
Interest and led a checkered and active lifts for sonic
years, finding fights, scratch, pitched or rough and
tumble, wherever an opportunity presented. During
this time he gained his nickname of "Old Smoke."
While engaged in a trifling discussion with a customer
hight McCann Morrissey knocked over a
stove and fell prostrate upon this glowing coals, where
his adversary pinned him. McCann repeatedly asked
him if he had had enough, while the champion roasted
and smoked in torment. Morrissey's answer was to
twist himself free, when he proceeded to settle Mr.
McCann in convincing manner.
The Sullivan Challenge.
In 1853 he was challenged by "Yankee" Sullivan,
who had suffered defeat at the hands of "Tom" Hyer,
for the title and $2,000. Morrissey accepted with
alacrity. He was just turned twenty-three, a rugged,
compact, clean muscled gladiator, in perfect condition
and spoiling for more trouble. Fighting was the
breath, of life to him. The prospect of a setto with
such a man as Sullivan filled him with delight. Here,
at last, was an opponent worthy of his best efforts,
calling for every ounce of his fine young, red blooded
strength.
They met at Boston Four Corners,103 miles from
New York, on October 12. The place was well
chosen, for by some strange oversight it was temporarily
outside the jurisdiction of all authority. Massachusetts
had ceded it to New York and New York had failed to accept.
To Boston Four Corners, accordingly, swarmed some
five thousand fight followers, sure of good sport and
freedom from interference.
was the first to drop his cap within the ropes
and to climb through with his attendants. He
stripped at about 170 pounds. "Yankee" Sullivan and
his assistants appeared shortly before two o'clock, and
final preparations were hurried through with. Sullivan
stood Up at about 150 pounds. He was a stocky
man, much shorter than Morrissey, but hard bitten
and solid as a stone pillar. Veteran of many battles,
he was forty years old, but fresh and active, depending
not only upon his superior knowledge of the
game but upon a strength and endurance as yet unsapped
by age. Whatever advantage In science lay
between the men rested decidedly with Sullivan,
though the fight was not likely to bring forth any
startling display of technique on either side. These
were days when scientific boxing was little known
and less appreciated on this side of the Atlantic, when
a ring meeting was a downright test of manhood
within certain simple limits.
When the colored "kerchiefs bad been tied to the
stakes, stars and stripes for Morrissey, black for Sullivan,
time was called and the men advanced to the
centre, eyeing each other watchfully. The attitude of
neither could be called graceful. They stood upright,
with hands high and knees bent, ready for hard
knocks rather than shifty play. At the last moment
Morrissey's second, eager io show himself awake to
his principal's interests, sprang forward and .protested
against the length of the spikes, In Sullivan's
shoes. The quibble was contemptuously put aside
by Morrissey,who look the occasion to make Sullivan a
final offer of $8OO to $1.000 side bet. Sullivan
shook his head and hostilities were joined.
Sullivan feinted deftly and waded into heavy work
Without more ado with a right hand smash that
jammed Morrissey's 'guard and got home to his nose.
John came right back with right and left drives,but
was out of distance and gave Sullivan a chance that
he improved with a neat clip to the left eye. There
was no instant wasted in sparring between fighters
of this kind. -Hit and take, ding-dong, was the style,
with the victory waiting for the one who could land
the hardest, and stand the most. Sullivan's smash
whipped Morrissey into quick action, and, breaking
his set defence,he charged, milling fiercely, swinging
and uppercutting as "Yankee" backed away. Sullivan
was master of few of the fine points of the game,
but one thing his long experience had taught him
and that, was the trick of dropping in the face of danger,
so skilfully, if doubtfully, practised by Bendigo
and Caunt. When the berserker youngster came rushing
at him Sullivan footed it away with great agility
and fell through the ropes before Morrissey could
reach him.
The Second Round.
John showed the effects of the rough treatment
when he came to the scratch for the second round,
the crimson having been drawn plentifully. He bad
evidently determined that his fault lay in awaiting
attack, and as Sullivan approached Morrissey sprang
for him, sweeping a tremendous left at the head.
Sullivan blocked the blow prettily, lashed out a stinging
right to the nose and got away nimbly. John,
exasperated, followed hard after him, and "Yankee"
fought uppn his retreat, parrying Morrissey's hard but
too deliberate swings with ease. Having backed his
man into a corner, Morrissey drove for the body with
right and left. Sullivan dodged aside and swept In
with a smacking drive to the sore eye. John fought
back at him' eagerly, but Sullivan was too quick,
slammed through two more to the face and went
down to save himself.
Morrissey was now more than willing to go upon
the offensive, having had a monopoly of the punishment
thus far.
MORE TO FOLLOW SOON
JOHN MORRISSEY FIGHT WITH "YANKEE" SULLIVAN
-
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the rest
Morrissey was now more than willing to go upon
the offensive, having had a monopoly of the punishment
thus far.He opened the third round instantly with a
left drive that might of felled an but Sullivan.
was not there. The older' man let the blow
slide past and drove a short, hard jolt to the ribs as
John came on. Morrissey was now at close quarters,
where, he felt more at home, and he bored in,
landing right and left to the body and stopping a
vicious swing, Then as Sullivan sought to back
away from his position, Morrissey pressed after him
and slashed out a terrific right hander that caught
Sullivan fairly upon the left cheek, covering him
with crimson and whirling him across the ring. The
spectators caught sharp -breaths for a moment, but
"Yankee" was not. knocked down. He staggered back,
sent a light tap to the ribs and then fell.
The situation was now clear. Sullivan was far the
more skilful, more wary, quicker and craftier. But
Morrissey bad the punch. If, ho could land many of
those flailing right handers before blinded or -weakened
by his adversary's tactics Sullivan must yield.
Briefly. Sullivan was something of a boxer and something
of a fighter: Morrissey was no boxer at all, but
a most formidable and dangerous fighter.
In the interval after this round Morrissey's left
eye which had swollen greatly, was lanced. His face
had been slashed beyond recognition. but he was untainted
in wind or strength. His one complaint to
his attendants was that Sullivan would not stand to
him. It was a just grievance and the grumbling grew
general as the light progressed. Sullivan,taking advantage
of one of the rules, went to grass throughout
the battle when hard pressed.-- It is a fact quite In
keeping with the character of John Morrissey that
not ounce did he seek to end a round, escape from a
corner or avoid punishment , by dropping. A fight
was what he wanted, whether he was winning or losing,
and ''Old Smoke" was. never the one. to signal
that he had had enough.
Sullivan, recovered from the effects of the tremendous
facer he had received, took the lead again
in the fourth round, opening right and left and advancing.
John parried, but could, not force through
Sullivan's guard, and "Yankee," stopping in. shot over
a punishing lunge to the nose. _ The blow drew claret
freely, and Morrissey. already, half blind, was quite
abroad. Sullivan shifted ground quickly and rushed,
jabbing right and left to the face. But he counted a
trifle too confidently on John's plight As ho drew off
for another opening Morrissey, launched a wild right
swing which more by chance than by direction,
caught "Yankee" a rocking smash to the left side of
the head. Sullivan went spinning, but John could
not ,or would not, follow up and "Yankee" returned,
planting three swift taps .to the face before he went
down. .
Morrissey Badly Battered.
Morrissey was a fearsome sight when he came forward
Briskly for the fifth 'round, -'Sullivan's scheme
Of decoration having been elaborately' carried out
upon his frontispiece. The damage received by
"Yankee" was less apparent, but the left side of his
head and face was much swollen and he seemed inclined
to favor it, holding cautiously on guard. Mor-
- rissey was nothing loath and whipped in play with a
driving right, which Sullivan stopped, and a hook to
the body that drove his man clear away from him.
"Yankee" abandoned his waiting and came back
strong, swinging right and left Morrissey met him
and they clashed in the first lengthy exchange of the
battle, hammering back and forth with mighty drives
and swings. John found this well to his liking, and
after taking some pepper to the face got the upper
band, landing to the body and head and pursuing
Sullivan as he danced away. When he caught up with 'his man
"Yankee" foiled him once more by Dropping just in time to
miss a pile driver.
It was Sullivan to the fore in the sixth round, opening
with a sharp smack to the mouth. Morrissey
found himself 'well within distance and lunged across
with a sweeping left, catching "Yankee" on the side
of the neck and wilting him. Sullivan made a few
feeble feints and went down. He had no heart to
stand more than one of John Morrissey's thunderbolts
in a single round.
Morrissey's'left eye was now closed beyond hope of
aid from the lance but he was as fresh as in the first
minute. In his, tactics, aside from his careless guard,
his lack of snap and speed was the weakest point. He
came on slowly, delivered ponderously and seemed not
to,know that there were such manoeuvres as dodging,
shifting and retreating. His single purpose was to
hit solidly.
Sullivan fought through the seventh round without
Landing a hit, landing-twice to the face and Once to the
body before he fell. Morrissey,irritated by the other's
slippery method, hammered into the next session with
a full head of steam, forced Sullivan literally to take
to his heels and drove him all aroufld the ring, seeking
in vain to land a blow. "Yankee."' who would
have been slow and sluggish for a fast, scientific boxer,
was still as elusive as a moth at dusk for the willing,
straight forward John. The chase lasted until Sullivan
went down.
The ninth round was more spectacular. Sullivan
had discarded some of his caution and went after
John viciously. Morrissey's aim seemed to be defective
in the hot rally that followed and bis blows generally
fell short. "Yankee" meanwhile snapped in
with a straight slam to' the face, getting away, came
back, got away and back again, accurately and well.
In the mixup'John smashed one to the cheek that
wiped the left eye, where he had inflicted damage before.
Sullivan dropped as usual, and in the interval
it became evident that- he no longer had the advantage
as to sight, for John's attentions to the eye had
done their work. The tenth round was fast, Sullivan
getting in all over Morrissey's face without great injury
and taking another clip to his bad eye. After
severe counter hitting Sullivan was down.
"Yankee's" attendants warned him repeatedly at
this stage not to force the pace, but to hang back and
wait for his man, whom he could out manoeuvre at his
leisure. 'Sullivan, however, was now warm for battle
and led off the next session with smashes to the face.
He paid the penalty of over eagerness by getting in
the way of another of John's battering ram drives,
which caught him in the ribs 'and lifted him clear
across the ring to measure his length. The next three
rounds were short but bard, Morrissey getting twice
to the bad eye and accepting more face treatment
with equanimity.
On to the Fifteenth.
Sullivan had now banded out enough punishment
to have laid any ordinary fighter in a dreamless sleep,
but Morrissey, though terribly carved, seemed to like
it better with every round. He flinched not at all
from "Yankee's"' battering receptions, apparently invited
the worst the other could do. and felt amply
repaid -If he could return one for six. This state of
affairs was* decidedly discouraging to Sullivan and
the older man, disregarding the advice of his second,
continued to make desperate efforts to impress his
strangely persistent adversary. John meanwhile was
quite contented to fight on in his own dogged, deadly
way.
The fifteenth round began with a steady torrent of
blows from both sides, Sullivan smashing to the face
and Morrissey cheerfully jamming a weighty drive
to the side of the head. Then, with sledgehammer
strokes, John forced his man to the ropes and after a
hot rally threw-, him over them. In the next session,
with his backers crying caution at his heels, "Yankee"
tried again, got three quick Cuts to the face and went
down. He continued in the seventeenth, landing repeatedly
but falling to stop Morrissey, who in his own
good time rammed wallops to the left cheek and
body. The following two rounds were short, Sullivan
dropping in each.
"Yankee" was now plainly weary and winded, John
by contrast seeming fresher than ever. Morrissey
was wise enough to increase his pace as his opponent
fell off, and In the twentieth he rushed impetuously,
driving, Sullivan and slugging him repeatedly about
the head and body. For a time the" situation was
sharply reversed, John landing twice to the other's
once and "Yankee' saving himself only by fast footwork,
clever guarding and finally by dropping. The
next two rounds were short. In the twenty-third
Morrissey rushed again, taking two rapid drives. to
the face as of no more account than puffs of -wind, and
sent a terrific left swing to the' side of;the head that
cut Sullivan down like a reed.
Sullivan had benefited by his slacking from the
pace and now took the initiative once more. if he
was ever to regain the early superiority he had shown
he must do it now. He was again too swift for Morrissey
in the twenty-fourth and planted heavy right
and left handers to the face, shoving through a rib
searcher as John plodded steadily on after him .They
joined for a hot exchange in the middle of the ring,
"Yankee" delivering slash after-slash to the head and
Morrissey countering to the body with an: occasional
slam that drove Sullivan away wincing.
It was a gallant rally on the part of he older, man,
but brought him nothing. John was always there,,
ready, impervious to "Yankee's best blows, waiting
his chance to land a sapping driver never evading any
clash. As Sullivan said afterward, Morrissey' fought
as if he were wound up for a year's going. After further
mutual compliments; Sullivan ended the round
by dropping, Morrissey frowning and shaking his
head at him, highly indignant that any man should
wish to end such a pleasant argument so abruptly.
In the twenty-fifth round Sullivan swept into his
stride quickly and opened with a flush hit to the face.
It was the only blow that seemed to promise any
thing. He could make no impression upon Morrissey's
body and his natural hope lay in blinding. John's
sound eye. Again he swept through his left, and
again. Morrissey returned heavily to the side of the
head and "Yankee," jerked off his feet by a futile
right swing, took to the grass.
It was still Sullivan and his left handers in the
twenty-sixth. As long as he could foot it fast enough
John had small chance of reaching him and "Yankee"'
tried, hard. to work the hit and getaway at the necessary
speed. He lashed two wicked ones to Morrissey's
raw face and dropped when John took after him with
heavy drives.
Taunts and Blows.
Sullivan now sought to intersperse his tactics with
some gentle badinage on the chance that he might
Incite the bigfellow to a display of temper. He wiped
John's face with a stinging left swing and hopped
out laughing.
"Now, who's champion?" he taunted. But if Morrissey
was expected to read in this that be could
never overcome such a skilful and active opponent
the attempt was a failure.
"That's to be seen," he answered calmly and
jammed in a right drive that sent "Yankee" to the
ground in a hurry, for the next two sessions Sullivan
hit and went down without ceremony.
In the thirtieth round John led off brushing the
other's guard aside and planting a rattling swing to
the left cheek. Sullivan whirled back with three
rapid rocking smashes to the face and dropped. He
peppered Morrissey in the next two rounds and escaped
unscathed.
In the thirty-third they stood for a moment and
exchanged counter hits to head and body, but
“Yankee" was exhausted and could make
nothing count. He had done everything possible,
tried every trick in his repertoire, apparently beaten
his man to a pulp. And still, John was with him,
steady as_a rock, wholly unconscious of the fact that
by all precedents he ought to consider himself defeated.
It was only a matter of time from this point on.
Sullivan's strength declined, though he continued to
exert himself to the utmost and he had lost heart
He got to the face In the thirty-fourth round and. fell.
In the thirty-fifth John reached him again with a
wide, stunning swing to the cheek-that sent him to the
turf. The next was a wild session, Morrissey
meeting Sullivan's desperate charge with battering swings
to face and body amd sending his man down.
In the thirty-seventh round even Sullivan's friends
could see that the tide had turned strongly against
him and they grew restless, swarming close about the
ropes, yelling at Morrissey and threatening disturbance,
John paid no attention, and when Sullivan led
weakly to the face he rushed, bearing "Yankee" back
Irresistibly. Hugging his man about the neck, he
lifted him clear of the ground, preparing for a heavy
fall that hardly could have failed to end the battle.
The Sullivan supporters, however, took this instant
to swarm over and through the ropes in a howling,
clawing mob, and the two fighters disappeared under
the invading wave. Great confusion followed the
men were separated and swept out of the ring and in
the midst of the uproar the referee gave the decision
to Morrissey. His specific reason, was "that Sullivan
had left the ring first and without awaiting
instructions.
Whatever the exact facts which were long
disputed, there was no doubt that Morrissey was far
in the lead and deserved the victory. The fight had
lasted fifty-five minutes.
Morrissey's only subsequent appearance in the
prize ring was -with John C. Heenan, the "Benicia
Boy." who later drew with "Tom" Sayers, the great
little world's champion. He whipped Heenan out of
hand in eleven rounds in 1858 and announced that
he would never thereafter step within the ropes. He
kept that resolve, though he did not mean that he
would never fight again. John Morrissey without
some kind of a fight in prospect would have been like
a diamond without the sparkle. He fought as occasion
arose, and carried the propensity with him through
life.
He was successful with his gambling houses in
New York and Saratoga and at one time was said to
be worth a million dollars. He lost half of it In the
crash of "Black Friday" and much of the rest through
unfortunate speculation. Commodore Vanderbilt
stood his friend and aided him out of several difficulties.
Morrissey always had taken active part in politics,
and in 1860 be was elected to Congress by the democrats
from the Fifth district. "Boss" Tweed was then
in full power and Morrissey owed the nomination to
him but the man's innate honesty and pugnacity
would not permit him to be time server, for any one
and before the end of his first term he began to develop
another fight, this with Tammany Hall. Tweed
did not want to re nominate him but Morrissey was
TOO popular with his constituents and he went back
in 1869
From this time on be became the bitter and avowed
enemy of Tweed's "ring" and he threw himself into
the struggle with the same dogged tenacity and determination
that had characterized him as a prize
fighter. Ho was one of the leaders of the "young democracy"
revolt of 1871 and lent every assistance to
Greeley, Tilden and others who were bent upon freeing
the city from its tyrants.
When Tammany Hall passed under the control of
John Kelly Morrissey was still ready for trouble.
Before long he was again at cuts with the powers
and Kelly attempted discipline by expelling him from
Tammany. Just such a move was necessary to put
Morrissey in a fighting frame of mind, and in 1875 he
came forward as an independent candidate for the
State Senate. His popularity and good public record
won him support from, the voters of all parties and
he won. He repeated the victory in 1876 and 1877.
The campaign of 1877 was hot and in a close race the
man who had never known fatigue, or spared his marvellous
physique over tried himself. He died In May 1878.
Morrissey's political career, like that of his pug'
listic days, was free from stain. While conscious o
his limitations and refraining from pushing himself
forward, he was always careful to act honestly and
to the best of his Judgment. For the rest he was, first
and last, a fighter and a man.
.
the offensive, having had a monopoly of the punishment
thus far.He opened the third round instantly with a
left drive that might of felled an but Sullivan.
was not there. The older' man let the blow
slide past and drove a short, hard jolt to the ribs as
John came on. Morrissey was now at close quarters,
where, he felt more at home, and he bored in,
landing right and left to the body and stopping a
vicious swing, Then as Sullivan sought to back
away from his position, Morrissey pressed after him
and slashed out a terrific right hander that caught
Sullivan fairly upon the left cheek, covering him
with crimson and whirling him across the ring. The
spectators caught sharp -breaths for a moment, but
"Yankee" was not. knocked down. He staggered back,
sent a light tap to the ribs and then fell.
The situation was now clear. Sullivan was far the
more skilful, more wary, quicker and craftier. But
Morrissey bad the punch. If, ho could land many of
those flailing right handers before blinded or -weakened
by his adversary's tactics Sullivan must yield.
Briefly. Sullivan was something of a boxer and something
of a fighter: Morrissey was no boxer at all, but
a most formidable and dangerous fighter.
In the interval after this round Morrissey's left
eye which had swollen greatly, was lanced. His face
had been slashed beyond recognition. but he was untainted
in wind or strength. His one complaint to
his attendants was that Sullivan would not stand to
him. It was a just grievance and the grumbling grew
general as the light progressed. Sullivan,taking advantage
of one of the rules, went to grass throughout
the battle when hard pressed.-- It is a fact quite In
keeping with the character of John Morrissey that
not ounce did he seek to end a round, escape from a
corner or avoid punishment , by dropping. A fight
was what he wanted, whether he was winning or losing,
and ''Old Smoke" was. never the one. to signal
that he had had enough.
Sullivan, recovered from the effects of the tremendous
facer he had received, took the lead again
in the fourth round, opening right and left and advancing.
John parried, but could, not force through
Sullivan's guard, and "Yankee," stopping in. shot over
a punishing lunge to the nose. _ The blow drew claret
freely, and Morrissey. already, half blind, was quite
abroad. Sullivan shifted ground quickly and rushed,
jabbing right and left to the face. But he counted a
trifle too confidently on John's plight As ho drew off
for another opening Morrissey, launched a wild right
swing which more by chance than by direction,
caught "Yankee" a rocking smash to the left side of
the head. Sullivan went spinning, but John could
not ,or would not, follow up and "Yankee" returned,
planting three swift taps .to the face before he went
down. .
Morrissey Badly Battered.
Morrissey was a fearsome sight when he came forward
Briskly for the fifth 'round, -'Sullivan's scheme
Of decoration having been elaborately' carried out
upon his frontispiece. The damage received by
"Yankee" was less apparent, but the left side of his
head and face was much swollen and he seemed inclined
to favor it, holding cautiously on guard. Mor-
- rissey was nothing loath and whipped in play with a
driving right, which Sullivan stopped, and a hook to
the body that drove his man clear away from him.
"Yankee" abandoned his waiting and came back
strong, swinging right and left Morrissey met him
and they clashed in the first lengthy exchange of the
battle, hammering back and forth with mighty drives
and swings. John found this well to his liking, and
after taking some pepper to the face got the upper
band, landing to the body and head and pursuing
Sullivan as he danced away. When he caught up with 'his man
"Yankee" foiled him once more by Dropping just in time to
miss a pile driver.
It was Sullivan to the fore in the sixth round, opening
with a sharp smack to the mouth. Morrissey
found himself 'well within distance and lunged across
with a sweeping left, catching "Yankee" on the side
of the neck and wilting him. Sullivan made a few
feeble feints and went down. He had no heart to
stand more than one of John Morrissey's thunderbolts
in a single round.
Morrissey's'left eye was now closed beyond hope of
aid from the lance but he was as fresh as in the first
minute. In his, tactics, aside from his careless guard,
his lack of snap and speed was the weakest point. He
came on slowly, delivered ponderously and seemed not
to,know that there were such manoeuvres as dodging,
shifting and retreating. His single purpose was to
hit solidly.
Sullivan fought through the seventh round without
Landing a hit, landing-twice to the face and Once to the
body before he fell. Morrissey,irritated by the other's
slippery method, hammered into the next session with
a full head of steam, forced Sullivan literally to take
to his heels and drove him all aroufld the ring, seeking
in vain to land a blow. "Yankee."' who would
have been slow and sluggish for a fast, scientific boxer,
was still as elusive as a moth at dusk for the willing,
straight forward John. The chase lasted until Sullivan
went down.
The ninth round was more spectacular. Sullivan
had discarded some of his caution and went after
John viciously. Morrissey's aim seemed to be defective
in the hot rally that followed and bis blows generally
fell short. "Yankee" meanwhile snapped in
with a straight slam to' the face, getting away, came
back, got away and back again, accurately and well.
In the mixup'John smashed one to the cheek that
wiped the left eye, where he had inflicted damage before.
Sullivan dropped as usual, and in the interval
it became evident that- he no longer had the advantage
as to sight, for John's attentions to the eye had
done their work. The tenth round was fast, Sullivan
getting in all over Morrissey's face without great injury
and taking another clip to his bad eye. After
severe counter hitting Sullivan was down.
"Yankee's" attendants warned him repeatedly at
this stage not to force the pace, but to hang back and
wait for his man, whom he could out manoeuvre at his
leisure. 'Sullivan, however, was now warm for battle
and led off the next session with smashes to the face.
He paid the penalty of over eagerness by getting in
the way of another of John's battering ram drives,
which caught him in the ribs 'and lifted him clear
across the ring to measure his length. The next three
rounds were short but bard, Morrissey getting twice
to the bad eye and accepting more face treatment
with equanimity.
On to the Fifteenth.
Sullivan had now banded out enough punishment
to have laid any ordinary fighter in a dreamless sleep,
but Morrissey, though terribly carved, seemed to like
it better with every round. He flinched not at all
from "Yankee's"' battering receptions, apparently invited
the worst the other could do. and felt amply
repaid -If he could return one for six. This state of
affairs was* decidedly discouraging to Sullivan and
the older man, disregarding the advice of his second,
continued to make desperate efforts to impress his
strangely persistent adversary. John meanwhile was
quite contented to fight on in his own dogged, deadly
way.
The fifteenth round began with a steady torrent of
blows from both sides, Sullivan smashing to the face
and Morrissey cheerfully jamming a weighty drive
to the side of the head. Then, with sledgehammer
strokes, John forced his man to the ropes and after a
hot rally threw-, him over them. In the next session,
with his backers crying caution at his heels, "Yankee"
tried again, got three quick Cuts to the face and went
down. He continued in the seventeenth, landing repeatedly
but falling to stop Morrissey, who in his own
good time rammed wallops to the left cheek and
body. The following two rounds were short, Sullivan
dropping in each.
"Yankee" was now plainly weary and winded, John
by contrast seeming fresher than ever. Morrissey
was wise enough to increase his pace as his opponent
fell off, and In the twentieth he rushed impetuously,
driving, Sullivan and slugging him repeatedly about
the head and body. For a time the" situation was
sharply reversed, John landing twice to the other's
once and "Yankee' saving himself only by fast footwork,
clever guarding and finally by dropping. The
next two rounds were short. In the twenty-third
Morrissey rushed again, taking two rapid drives. to
the face as of no more account than puffs of -wind, and
sent a terrific left swing to the' side of;the head that
cut Sullivan down like a reed.
Sullivan had benefited by his slacking from the
pace and now took the initiative once more. if he
was ever to regain the early superiority he had shown
he must do it now. He was again too swift for Morrissey
in the twenty-fourth and planted heavy right
and left handers to the face, shoving through a rib
searcher as John plodded steadily on after him .They
joined for a hot exchange in the middle of the ring,
"Yankee" delivering slash after-slash to the head and
Morrissey countering to the body with an: occasional
slam that drove Sullivan away wincing.
It was a gallant rally on the part of he older, man,
but brought him nothing. John was always there,,
ready, impervious to "Yankee's best blows, waiting
his chance to land a sapping driver never evading any
clash. As Sullivan said afterward, Morrissey' fought
as if he were wound up for a year's going. After further
mutual compliments; Sullivan ended the round
by dropping, Morrissey frowning and shaking his
head at him, highly indignant that any man should
wish to end such a pleasant argument so abruptly.
In the twenty-fifth round Sullivan swept into his
stride quickly and opened with a flush hit to the face.
It was the only blow that seemed to promise any
thing. He could make no impression upon Morrissey's
body and his natural hope lay in blinding. John's
sound eye. Again he swept through his left, and
again. Morrissey returned heavily to the side of the
head and "Yankee," jerked off his feet by a futile
right swing, took to the grass.
It was still Sullivan and his left handers in the
twenty-sixth. As long as he could foot it fast enough
John had small chance of reaching him and "Yankee"'
tried, hard. to work the hit and getaway at the necessary
speed. He lashed two wicked ones to Morrissey's
raw face and dropped when John took after him with
heavy drives.
Taunts and Blows.
Sullivan now sought to intersperse his tactics with
some gentle badinage on the chance that he might
Incite the bigfellow to a display of temper. He wiped
John's face with a stinging left swing and hopped
out laughing.
"Now, who's champion?" he taunted. But if Morrissey
was expected to read in this that be could
never overcome such a skilful and active opponent
the attempt was a failure.
"That's to be seen," he answered calmly and
jammed in a right drive that sent "Yankee" to the
ground in a hurry, for the next two sessions Sullivan
hit and went down without ceremony.
In the thirtieth round John led off brushing the
other's guard aside and planting a rattling swing to
the left cheek. Sullivan whirled back with three
rapid rocking smashes to the face and dropped. He
peppered Morrissey in the next two rounds and escaped
unscathed.
In the thirty-third they stood for a moment and
exchanged counter hits to head and body, but
“Yankee" was exhausted and could make
nothing count. He had done everything possible,
tried every trick in his repertoire, apparently beaten
his man to a pulp. And still, John was with him,
steady as_a rock, wholly unconscious of the fact that
by all precedents he ought to consider himself defeated.
It was only a matter of time from this point on.
Sullivan's strength declined, though he continued to
exert himself to the utmost and he had lost heart
He got to the face In the thirty-fourth round and. fell.
In the thirty-fifth John reached him again with a
wide, stunning swing to the cheek-that sent him to the
turf. The next was a wild session, Morrissey
meeting Sullivan's desperate charge with battering swings
to face and body amd sending his man down.
In the thirty-seventh round even Sullivan's friends
could see that the tide had turned strongly against
him and they grew restless, swarming close about the
ropes, yelling at Morrissey and threatening disturbance,
John paid no attention, and when Sullivan led
weakly to the face he rushed, bearing "Yankee" back
Irresistibly. Hugging his man about the neck, he
lifted him clear of the ground, preparing for a heavy
fall that hardly could have failed to end the battle.
The Sullivan supporters, however, took this instant
to swarm over and through the ropes in a howling,
clawing mob, and the two fighters disappeared under
the invading wave. Great confusion followed the
men were separated and swept out of the ring and in
the midst of the uproar the referee gave the decision
to Morrissey. His specific reason, was "that Sullivan
had left the ring first and without awaiting
instructions.
Whatever the exact facts which were long
disputed, there was no doubt that Morrissey was far
in the lead and deserved the victory. The fight had
lasted fifty-five minutes.
Morrissey's only subsequent appearance in the
prize ring was -with John C. Heenan, the "Benicia
Boy." who later drew with "Tom" Sayers, the great
little world's champion. He whipped Heenan out of
hand in eleven rounds in 1858 and announced that
he would never thereafter step within the ropes. He
kept that resolve, though he did not mean that he
would never fight again. John Morrissey without
some kind of a fight in prospect would have been like
a diamond without the sparkle. He fought as occasion
arose, and carried the propensity with him through
life.
He was successful with his gambling houses in
New York and Saratoga and at one time was said to
be worth a million dollars. He lost half of it In the
crash of "Black Friday" and much of the rest through
unfortunate speculation. Commodore Vanderbilt
stood his friend and aided him out of several difficulties.
Morrissey always had taken active part in politics,
and in 1860 be was elected to Congress by the democrats
from the Fifth district. "Boss" Tweed was then
in full power and Morrissey owed the nomination to
him but the man's innate honesty and pugnacity
would not permit him to be time server, for any one
and before the end of his first term he began to develop
another fight, this with Tammany Hall. Tweed
did not want to re nominate him but Morrissey was
TOO popular with his constituents and he went back
in 1869
From this time on be became the bitter and avowed
enemy of Tweed's "ring" and he threw himself into
the struggle with the same dogged tenacity and determination
that had characterized him as a prize
fighter. Ho was one of the leaders of the "young democracy"
revolt of 1871 and lent every assistance to
Greeley, Tilden and others who were bent upon freeing
the city from its tyrants.
When Tammany Hall passed under the control of
John Kelly Morrissey was still ready for trouble.
Before long he was again at cuts with the powers
and Kelly attempted discipline by expelling him from
Tammany. Just such a move was necessary to put
Morrissey in a fighting frame of mind, and in 1875 he
came forward as an independent candidate for the
State Senate. His popularity and good public record
won him support from, the voters of all parties and
he won. He repeated the victory in 1876 and 1877.
The campaign of 1877 was hot and in a close race the
man who had never known fatigue, or spared his marvellous
physique over tried himself. He died In May 1878.
Morrissey's political career, like that of his pug'
listic days, was free from stain. While conscious o
his limitations and refraining from pushing himself
forward, he was always careful to act honestly and
to the best of his Judgment. For the rest he was, first
and last, a fighter and a man.
.
There's some stuff about Morrisey in the book "Gangs of New York" (which is not the fictional story of the film btw). He had something to do with the murder of Bill "The Butcher" Poole (yes the guy in the movie is based on him), whom he had hated with a passion since Poole battered him in a bare knuckle match.
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robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
cheers
silkov wrote:Wow!... nice one Rob!...
8) 8)
thanks mate had a felling you would like the article
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robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
thanks for the info
Nice bit of info there thanks very much.I will see if I can find something about that . in the meantime here are 2 more........the second on is mind blowingsmrbassie wrote:There's some stuff about Morrisey in the book "Gangs of New York" (which is not the fictional story of the film btw). He had something to do with the murder of Bill "The Butcher" Poole (yes the guy in the movie is based on him), whom he had hated with a passion since Poole battered him in a bare knuckle match.
The Marion Daily Star, Ohio Tuesday, June 9, 1885
TOUGH TO THE LAST
An Authentic Account of the last hours
Of Yankee Sullivan
I was pleased to meet last week with Judge McGowan
One of the Argonauts who in 1849 discovered the
Golden fleece, which has – to coin a term –
Royalised California. In the course of the conversation
The Judge told me the concrete history of the tragic end
Of the famous prizefighter Yankee Sullivan.
Sullivan, whose real name was Ambrose Murry, was
Arrested and imprisoned. He feared that the vigilantes
Would put him to death , although as Judge McGowan
Tells me his apprehension was unfounded. The purpose
Of that body was to ship him back to Australia on the
First clipper ship that sailed to Melbourne. It having been
Definitely understood that Sullivan, or Murray, was an
Escaped convict.
The poor devil, however, was so affrighted
That he took no stock in the hope of escape from the
Harsh business of Judge lynch. He called eagerly from his
Prison window for a priest, feeling that death was settling
Close around him. But was answered by jeers from the
Mob without. Finally, in sheer desperation he opened
The viens of his left arm with a case knife and bled
Himself to death.
Yankee Sullivan was one of the finest prize fighters
In the records. – Washington Hatchet.
………………………..
Portsmouth Times 17 Feb, 1877
Arthur Chambers, the pugilist keeps a drinking salon
In Philadelphia and his advertisement offers the
Inducement to customers:
“The skeleton hands of Tom Hyer and Yankee Sullivan
on exhibition at the bar”
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robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
Baker shot Poole
found it!!!mrbassie wrote:There's some stuff about Morrisey in the book "Gangs of New York" (which is not the fictional story of the film btw). He had something to do with the murder of Bill "The Butcher" Poole (yes the guy in the movie is based on him), whom he had hated with a passion since Poole battered him in a bare knuckle match.
average fighter
The Washington Post 1905
At the time, when Hyer, Sullivan,and Morrissey flourished, in New
York, feeling between the Native Amerircan and the Tammany parties
-was very bitter. The native Americana or Know Nothings promulgated
a political platform which was calculated to restrict preferment
to native-born persons. This did not meet with the approval of the Tammany party, in which many Irishmen were enrolled.
Bill Poole, the great rough and tumble fighter, who afterward met Morrissey in the famous dock fight at the foot of Canal street, New York, was the leader of the Washington Market faction of the Native American party, Hyer, also a butcher In the Washington, (Market, was affiliated with the Native Americana.
Morrissey a Tammanyite.
John Morrissey, then assuming prominence in affairs of Tammany Hall, very naturally came Into opposition to Poole and Hyer, because he was to his party what they were to theirs, a first-class fighting man-. After Yankee Sullivan had fought and beaten, but lost the decision to Morrisey on -a Job, near Buffalo," Poole and the Native Americans started to provoke Morrisey into fighting Hyer, who had beaten Sulllvan at Baltimore.
Hyer was a giant, 6 feet 5 inches tall,and weighing 180 pounds. Sullivan was a 160 pounder and 9 Inches less in height than Hyer. He was clever and game, but he could not get beyond the long reach of Hyer, who gave him an unmerciful drubbing.
As Sullivan had previously proved equal to cutting Morrissey to shreds, the Native American party -was encouraged to match Hyer against the latter, Sullivan,always game, was willing to fight, but his party, -with whom he was immensely popular, had more sense than Morrissey had. It refused to allow him to meet Hyer.
Bill Poole and his friends started a systematic -campaign to drive Morrissey Into fighting Poole rough and tumble. They dared Morrissey to come down on the dock. Morrissey would not, take the dare.Hyer was a much larger man In height than. Morrissey, but Poole and he were well matched in size. They fought an awful battle, biting, gouging, kicking, and doing everythlng possible to each other.
After an hour of fighting up and own in which Morrissey was given rather the worst of it spectators who had some sparks of humanity left, separated them,when they were lying down gnawing each other like dogs.
Baker Shot and Killed Poole.
Morrisseys friends were angered at the setback suffered 'by their champion. They dared Poole to meet Morrlssey at Stanwick's, a famous restaurant and saloon on Murder -Bow, Broadway, between Houston and Bleecker Poole, deadly game as Morrissey, accepted the defiance, He went, met Lou Baker, had an argument with him. Started to do Baker, and was shot and killed. Baker went to sea, but so strong was his
party that it had a ship of war sent after hirn. He was arrested on the high seas taken back, tried, and acquitted of murder.
Morrissey never met Hyer, though for years Hyer looked for a fight. Morrissey was eager to battle,but his friends,fearing results, would not permit him to do so.
The famous fighter, who later was a State Senator and Congressman, was a man of some 5 feet 10 Inches, weighed 160 pounds He had a tremendous head,was loose-Jointed, splay-footed and awkward. He, was a poor boxer, but a hard hitter and of unequaled pluck. Yankee Sullivan, a much smaller man, gave him a terrific drubbing. It is said by a spectator at the fight that Sullivan fairlycrunched the bone in morrisseys nose by repeated left-hand punches. So badly was the organ Injured that Morrissey never could have It restored. He went to his grave suffering from the effects of the beating Sulllian gave him.
.This Sullivan was a man with a history. exiled from Ireland for a political offenseto Australia, he began his fighting in New Tasmania . It is said that while in prison in Ireland, on board ship and In Australia, be was repeatedly flogged; indeed had his back cut to ribbons In efforts to make him divulge the names of his conspirators against the British, government to Ireland.
After serving years in the penal settlements he escaped to America. He fought some unimportant battles here, then went abroad and beat Hammer Lane, 'then a great English middle-weight. Coming from America earned him the name of Yankee. He was very clever. Hammer' Lane, whom he beat, was quite as good aman as Tom Sayers, the famous champion of the world, who fought Heenan the great draw for the first international Anglo-American championship.
Hyer Idol of His Party.
After Hyer beat Sullivan he became the Idol of his party In New York. He went Into business, but failed to prosper. Dissipation resulted in an early death. He died in a furnished room on Fourth street, abandoned by all save a few friends ofthe ring. Hyer was a handsome fellow and hard fighter, but knew very little of the fine art of boxing. Tall and of great bone, he did not weigh over 175 poundswhen reduced to the fine condition pugilsts of his day affected when fighting. He was a graceful, dashing, stylish chap, a fine dresser and looker.
Morrissey was anything but clever. His great hold was to butt with his head. He could butt a hole In the side of a battleship,and in his fight with Poole did his prettiest in this line.He was a man of worth and parts. He made much money, owned a big cafe in New York, the race track at Saratoga.Politically he could have anything he wanted In New York. When John Kelley,who succeeded Tweed as chief of Tammany Hall, opposed Morriseey for election,he printed pamphlets calling him every name he could think of.
Morrlssoy ran independantly. Despite the wonderful power opposed to him he was triumphantly elected by the Tammany men themselves. It Was one of the few times the members of that organization rebelled and refused to do their leader's bidding.
In later years Morrissey speculated onWall street. That made him die poor. his wife was, after his death,a charge on his friends.