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Nobleerviewjail.After “Kid” Noble was brought to | fight I had with him, he gave me thehardest fight I ever had. He had one right hand punch for the head that was good and in the first fight his foot work was fine. I never knew anything porter. At first the accused man was, about him before I met him here, sullen but after he had puffed for a where he learned his fighting or any-whlle at a fragrant cfgar he became thing of that kind, but he learned itMuscatine for trial from the Davenportjail, where he had been kept for a etyhe was call* d upon by a r# • ar- -more agreeable.In speaking of his life, he said in part: “I am 24 years old and wasborn at Cassvllle, Pa. My parents came west when 1 war about one year of age. My mother died when I was but 12 years old. My father, 1 believe, is still alive, but I do not know where he is, not having heard from him for some years. I lived at Atchison, Kan., but for the past 10 years have made my headquarters at Kansas City. Ientered the prize ring at the age of If*and have had since that time, 24prize fights, winning them all. As vet ! “Mysterious” Billy Smith.T havo never been whipped. Before! 1 have heard from many of the prizefighters since I have been insomewhere, for he had it. 1 cleare 1 about o on the first fight but did not do so well on the other. I broke two of his ribs in the first fight and worked on tlie same place in the second, that being his weak point. I have followed fighting for the greater part of my life, making Kansas City my headquarters. I would work until I could arrange a fight, then I would tram for it. I had letter from Shepard the other day, stating that he was in Chicago conducting a club for prize fighters.Noble Bought the Cloak.Among the little stories passed here and there on the streets during the trial of “Kid Noble is one given by a clerk in Lilly's store. The clerk said: j “Last winter Nobh s wife had been in the stor looking at some cloaks, preparatory to purchasing one for winterwear. She had almost decided to purchase a short box coat of moderate price. However, she had also tried on a nice automobile coat, the price of which was $35. She had almost decided to take the short coat as it cost;only flf* and she stated that she couldnot afford to pay $35 for the other. One dav she and her husband came inIto look at the coat, as she wanted him*he jwould like it or not before making the purchase. From the first he seemedto favor the more costly garment ofll rto see it and ascertain whetherthe two, and aasked which she liked the best. She stated that she liked the.entering the prize ring. 1 took part in about 35 or 40 preliminaries and exhibition bouts, but no prize fights until I had reached the age of 1k. I did thejail.long one but could not afford to buy it, “Mysterious” Billy Smith and a num* as the price was too high. He inform-* her of other fighters gave a benefit rd her in his sullen way to “take it.**;entertainment at Peoria. 111., for meHethedid some In 1898. T have had four fights in Iowa, two of which were in Muscatine.Fought Shepard.After coming here I met Harry Shepard and a fight was arranged. Yes. hemyself, as I had some money left andbusi-She said “no I can’t afford It.”most of my fighting in 1896, but also and sent me $148. I was not bankrupt turned to the clerk and askedprice of the garment. Upon being informed that the nrice was $35 he im-mediately replied in a gruff manner,wrap is up.” and proceeded to pay the cash for it. regardless of the opinion I of his wife. “This little incident atwag one of the most eh ver men in Hm Rast showed.” said the clerk, “that hewas getting ready to engage inRegarding “Mysterious”Billvness.Smith, will say that he was a mysteryto hit while in the ring and received the name from that. At one time hewas a good man; he was under estimated by the people; ho was the bestman I ever met in a fight and 1 haveIprize ring, but he has gone to pieces, having been whipped in Kansas Cityrun against some fast met. In the first i about two months ago.did not consider the price when he ; knew that it would suit his wife bet-4 ter than the other.”
Newspaper Details
Muscatine Journal
Muscatine, Iowa, US
Sat, May 17, 1902
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Musser P.
IA, USA 21 Feb 2022
Other Publications Near Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine Journal and News Tribune
New Indexed Atlas of Muscatine County Iowa
Atlas of Muscatine County Iowa
Muscatine Daily Journal
Muscatine Weekly Journal
