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Copyright 1905 by the Newspaper Enterprise Association Sullivan and Mitchell a Joke. John L. Sullivan and Charlie Mitchell have been matched to fight 15 rounds at Tacoma in September’ ac cording to a story going around. It is hard to imagine these famous veteran meeting again in the squared circle. Sullivan has been close to death’s door so often that when his name is mentioned in connection with the ring other than a reminiscent way, it almost provokes laughter. Mitchell is long-headed and realizes that such a thing would be next to impossible other than a joke. But then this is a queer world. Speaking of these two world-famed veterans stirs up many stories of their past relations. One of the funniest related, perhaps, happened many years ago in France, and today either of the pair will laugh and tell how they spent a short season together in a French jail. After their fight at Chantilly, which, by the way, was one of the bloodiest battles in ring history, both were ar rested and penned up in adjoining cells. Sullivan, who was never on friendly terms with any man in the ring, had nothing to say when first put under lock and key. He swore in English at the ignorant keeper, but he might have saved his breath, as he could not make himself understood. Finally it dawned upon John L. that being away from home some 4000 or 5000 miles without a friend wasn’t the pleasantest thing in the world, and he grew calmer and soon broke the ice, but Mitchell, who felt none too well af ter his bruising battle, did not respond. Sullivan then hit upon the scheme of pretending that he had the cramps. He wanted a drink of brandy. The guard came, but could not understand him. Finally Mitchell took pity on the big fellow and ex plained in fractured French what was the matter. Some brandy was brought Sullivan and it had a bene ficial effect on him, so that he became decidedly pleasant. Mitchell asked for some of the brandy also and the pair grew much friendlier towards each other. _ A few hours later they were released, and John Lgt show that he didn’t intend to forget quickly, invited Mitchell to a steak, and they dined together. Sullitah from that time on has always had a warm spot in his heart for the great Englishman. This probably accounts for them being able to frame up a fight for their old age.
Newspaper Details
Spokane Press
Spokane, Washington, US
Mon, May 29, 1905
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Tim A.
CA, USA 05 Jun 2026
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