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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 1938)
Neb. State Hiitorical Soeietj The Frontier O’NEILL, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8,1938. Montana Jack’s Great Fight With Ketchell Of Interest to All I O’Neill sport lovers have argued long and loud about the Stanley ( Ketchell, Montana Jack Sullivan fight in Butte City, Montana, about 30 years ago. As Jack is an O’Neill boy we take pleasure in printing the following from the pen of an eye witness, which appeared in the Omaha World-Herald about 15 years ago. The article was handed to us by John O’Malley, one of the most ar-j dent sport followers in the countyj and a life-long friend of Montana Jack. But everyone in this city and county are friends of Jack, who! grew to manhood on a farm a mile t and a half north of town. But fol- j lowing is the story: _ To Sanday Griswold, Sporting | Editor of The World-Herald: Dear Sandy: The recent series of articles apearing in the Liberty magazine entitled “Stanley Ketch el, the Michigan Assassin” by Sid Sutherland, have undoubtedly been highly interesting to the fight fans throughout the country. The story of Ketchel’s life has been particu larly absorbing to me, for I knew him well, and was in Butte, Mont., all during those booming days of the copper rush out there, when his star was shooting upwards in the pugilistic firmament. I have seen Ketchel battle on numerous occa sions, both in and out of the ring— he was a terror all right—a rip ping, slashing, murderous assault er, perfectly tearless ana actuauy ruthless in his attack, from gong to gong. Sid Sutherland has very ably des cribed his career, but if Stanley lived today and read these articles, he would say his biographer had overlooked the hardest fought and most thrilling engagement of his life. I witnessed the event and be lieve a story of the gruelling fight will interest many Omahans and Nebraskans, for it was a Nebraska boy, well known hereabouts, even today, who opposed Ketchel in what he, a short time before his death, described as his “toughest fight.” I refer to his fight with Montana Jack Sullivan, in Butte, a short time before Ketchel went to the , coast and took the championship ' from Joe Thomas. Ketchel was a handsome chap in his early days in the ring and was well known and very popular around Butte. He had been bowling over everyone the promoters could get to go against him in one, two and three rounds and by the time he was matched to meet Sullivan, it was generally realized around the cop per camps that he was a wonder and not a few among the better in formed thought that he was a sure thing for the championship even then. Montana Jack Sullivan had come to Butte a year or so before Ketch el. He was a smiling Irish lad r about 20 years of age, very trim in appearance and a thorough gentle man. He hailed from O’Neill, Ne braska. During his first two years in the northwest, Montana Jack (so called to distinguish him from Jack Twin Sullivan, who was fight ing in the middleweight division about the same time), virtually cut every man he fought to ribbons. He had a cruel left hook and a good right hand, knew how to use them and not an opponent had succeeded in going the route with him. About half the population of Butte at this time was composed of Irish miners and they would bet their last dollar on Sullivan against any man of his weight in the world. Great was the excitement when Ketchel and Sullivan were finally matched to meet in the Butte Opera House. In the saloons, the stores, the dance halls and the mines, the one topic of conversation for weeks before hand was the Ketchel-Sul livan fight. Both men trained hard for the battle and the betting was heavy at even money. The min ers backed Sullivan and the profes sional gamblers and sporting ele ment took the Ketchel end of all bets. On the night of the fight the Opera House was jammed to capa city and a crowd of several thou sand people stood in the streets about the building awaiting the re ^ suit. Large wagers were being made in the audience even as Mala chai Hogan, who had been brought from Chicago to referee, called the men to the center of the ring for their final instructions. Both contestants were in marvel ous physical condition. The open ing gong rang, the men shook hands and Butte’s battle of a cen tury was on. And what a battle it was! Scarcely had they shaken hands when Ketchel shifted, as only Ketchel could shift, and lashed out with his murderous right, catching j Montana Jack flush on the jaw. j Down went Sullivan. He had bare ly gained his feet when the Michi gan Assassin was upon him again, sharp-shooting with powerful | punches for a knockout. Jack hung on. Toward the end of the first, round Ketchel shifted again and his flashing right once more found the mark, sending Sullivan down! for the count of nine (here let me remark, Ketchel always maintained afterward that he never struck a man harder or cleaner than he Bid Sullivan those two times that! night.) Jack weathered the storm I however, and as the second round progressed those who had started for the doorways returned to their seats. Montana Jack was fighting desperately, punching from every angle and before the end of the round had the blood running from Ketchel’s mouth and the Michigan der’s face bore a worried expres sion. From then on until the twentieth and last round, Montana Jack literally butchered the great Ketchel. He broke his nose, closed one of his eyes and generally ad ministered a terrific walloping to the man who was destined within a few months to be the champion of his class and acclaimed as one of the greatest fighters of all times. Ketchel showed then and there that he could take it—he never stopped trying—time after time he would shift and strike but Sullivan was fast and clever enough to be in side or away or to beat him to the punch. In the eighteenth round Ketchel was very groggy and all but out on his feet. The crowd during the later rounds was fran tically imploring Sullivan to put him away but Jack was taking no unnecessary chances. The referee called it a draw at the end of the twentieth round—the crowd to a man thought that Sullivan had won. Ketchel shortly afterward won the championship. He and Montana Jack never fought again. They be came fast friends later on around Frisco and trained together for many of their fights. Sullivan whipped many good ones in the east and on the coast but didn’t care about the strenuous training required of a top-notcher so drop ped out of the game. Without a doubt he was the greatest fighter Nebraska ever produced, and today, thanks to the fact, is well off in the world’s goods.—Very truly yours—Thos. P. Mulvey.—Omaha World-Herald. Attend Legion Meeting At Columbus, Nebr. W. J. Gatz and P. B. Harty drove to Columbus on Tuesday where they attended the annual district convention of the American Legion held in that city. Mrs. W. J. Gatz and Miss Lillian Nightengale ac companied them as far as Norfolk, where they spent the day shopping and visiting friends. Happy Hour Club The Happy Hour Project Club held their November meeting at the home of Mrs. John Grutsch. The lesson was, “Candies, Old and New.” Members decorated boxes to be used for Holiday candy. Many useful suggestions were given by the leaders concerning different ar ticles to be used as candy con tainers. All members except two were present and they, with a large number of guests, enjoyed sampling three different types of candy made at this meeting. A luncheon of sandwiches, cake, pickles and coffee was served at noon. The next meeting will be held on January 13 at the home of Mrs. Blake Benson. We thank our lead ers, Mrs. O’Neill and Mrs. Benson, for a very interesting lesson. ATTENTION The Ladies Aid of Inman will hold their annual chicken supper and Bazaar Saturday afternoon and evening, December 10. This will be held in the Ladies Aid Par lors at Inman. Council Oak Store Room Being Remodeled Will Carry Fresh Meats The first of the week workmen started remodeling the Gatz build ing, occupied by the Council Oak store. The partition at the back end of the main storeroom is being removed and the building will be one room, or 21x100 feet. Council Oak will install a meat department in the store here and will handle fresh and cured meats. For some time they have handled cured meats in their store here but have never had a fresh meat de partment and that will now be in stalled. The meat department will be in the rear at the right hand side of the building. A large modern refrigerator has been ordered and will be installed as well as all other modern equip ment to make the meat department one of the best in the city. The building engineer for the company is in the city and in charge of the remodeling. They expect to have their meat department ready for the public by a week from next Saturday, or December 17, but it may take a few days longer. They are also going to install new modern up-to-date shelving in the grocery department, which will give them more room to handle their growing trade. New window lighting will also be installed and the owners plan to make this store one of the most attractive, modem and up-to-date grocery stores in the entire state. The Council Oak Store has been engaged in business in this city for about fifteen years and they have always enjoyed a splendid business. Their owners are firm believers in advertising and they have been the most liberal patrons of the newspapers of the city of any grocery in the city. High School Band To Give Concert The instrumental department of the O’Neill schools will present the first formal concert of the school year on December 15, at 8 o’clock. The program will consist of in strumental solas and ensembles in addition to band selections. Both the Junior band of thirty five pieces and the advanced band of forty-five pieces will be present ed. No admission charge will be made and the public is cordially in vited to attend. Barbers of This District Held Meeting Here Sun, A district meeting of the barbers from the Twenty-eight district, comprising Boyd, Keya Paha, Rock and Holt counties was held in O’Neill on Sunday, December 4, at the court house at which time affairs pertinent to the business was discussed. There were twenty-three present from out of town and O’Neill was well represented. Henry J. Walk, er, Secretary-Treasurer of the State Board of Examiners from Lincoln, was present and addressed the gathering as did Owen Mc Pharlin, now of Lincoln, formerly of O’Neill, who is vice president of the Board of Examiners. O’Neill Native Son Passes Away in Colo. Bernard McGrevy was born and grew to manhood in this city, where he resided until about 1908 when he went west and practically ever since had been in the employ of the Great Western Sugar Co. His employers figured he was the most valuable man in his line in the United States and they wonder how they can replace him. Barnard’s many school friends were sorrowed at the news of his sudden death and the end of a career that/was so promising in his chosen line. “Bernard McGrevy, 49 years old, statistician at the experiment sta-1 tion of the Great Western Sugar company here, died suddenly in his home at a local hotel here Friday morning. “According to his physician, death resulted from a heart attack. “Mr. McGrevy, who was born in Nebraska, had been employed by •he sugar company sinnee 1910 and was connected with the local plant for twelve years. He was well known in Northern Colorado and in sugar company circles. His hobby, checkers, also won him many friends in Denver tournaments At one time he held the state checker championship. “Thursday Mr. McGrevy had en joyed Thanksgiving dinner in Den ver with friends. He also attended the University of Colorado-Denver ] University football game. “Upon returning to Longmont he , complained of not feeling well and his physician was called. Early Friday morning, however, he passed away. “The deceased held membership in the Longmont Elks lodge. He is survived by two brothers, John McGrevy, Seattle, Wash., and Wm., Butte, Mont. Two sisters are also living, Miss Margaret McGrevy, LaSalle, 111., and Dr. McGrevy, New York."—Longmont (Col.) Times Call. O’Neill High Football Boys Rate High The Neligh Newt of December 1, carried the Neligh Warrior’s All Opponent Team, those players, who in the minds of the Neligh players and their coach, Jerry Lee,perform ed most brilliantly against Neligh in their 1938 ten game schedule. O’Neill is honored by having two of her players placed on this team, Buck Hunt at full back and Robert Williams at right guard. Hunt was further honored by being in the minds of the Neligh players, one of the finest performers in northeast Nebraska. The Weather Nebraska has enjoyed real In dian summer the past week, with just a little moisture and a couple of skiffs of snow. The weather has been very unseasonable all over the state. Following is the chart for the past week: H. L. M. H. L. M. Dec. 1__ . 56 19 Dec. 2___ 54 27 , Dec. 3 ..._ 53 21 Dec. 4 52 28 .03 Dec. 5 47 19 Dec. 6 . —51 36 Dec. 7 51 28 Total precipitation since January 1, 1938, 20.49 inches. St. Mary’s Basketball Schedule For 1938-9 The following is St. Mary’s bas ketball schedule for the coming season: Dec. 11, Sacred Heart (Norfolk) Here Dec. 21, Page _ There Jan. 4, Page .. Here Jan. 6, Inman .._.. .Here Jan. 8, Sacred Heart (Norfolk) ....There Jan. 12, Orchard _ There Jan. 15, Spalding Academy Here Jan. 20, Ewing There Jan. 23, Inman _There Jan. 30, Atkinson ...._—. Here Feb. 1, Chambers . There Feb. 3, O’Neill _ Here Feb. 5, Spalding Academy _ There Feb. 8, Atkinson . There Feb. 14, O’Neill _Here Feb. 17, Chambers - Here Feb. 20, Orchard . Here Feb. 24, Ewing -Here Holt County Native Passes Away in Colo. Word was received last night of the death in Leadville, Colo., of John K. Bellar who passed away there after a short illness of pneu monia. The body will be brought to this city and funeral services will be held here, although no date for the funeral services have yet been set. He was about fifty years of age. John Bellar was a native of this county and spent practically his entire life here. He went to Colo rado in March, 1937, and secured employment in the mines at Lead ville. His family moved to Colo rado last spring. Deceased was united in marriage at Seward, Ne braska, to Miss Jennie Schwitzer, who with eleven children, six sons and five daughters are left to mourn his passing. The children are: Clayton, Evelyn, Floyd, Dor is, Mary, John, James, Francis, Mildred and Ralph, of Leadville, and Miss Ruth, of O’Neill. He is also survived by his mother, three sisters and one brother. Pete Duffy and Frank Biglin ac companied Bill Froclich to Sioux City Monday, where Mr. Froelich took the train to Chicago and the others returned home the same day. Lions Club to Give Prizes For The Best Christmas Decorations The O’Neill Lions Club, at its neeting last Monday, voted to give i prize of $5.00 to the merchant laving the best window display in D’Neill; also a prize of $5.00 to the :itizen of O’Neill having the best j Christmas home decoration, as viewed from the street. The judges awarding these prizes are to be disinterested parties lamed by the club. Every citizen of O’Neill should be interested in this. Let us all do aur best to make our homes and our city attractive. It is hoped that with this incentive to beautify iiur city the judges will have some real difficulty in awarding the j prizes. Ash Grove Club The Ash Grove 4-H Baby Beef Club was organized at the Middle Branch school house by our County Agent Lyndle Stout on December 1. There are five members at pres ent, Ralph Rector, Helen Rector, Richard Faulhaber, Patricia Faul haber and Shirley Ann Faulhaber. Officers and leaders elected were as follows: Richard Faulhaber, president; Helen Rector, vice pres ident; Patrica Faulhaber, secretary; Shirley Anne Faulhaber, news re porter; R. E. Lucas, leader; C. F. Faulhaber, assistant leader. The next meeting will be held in about three weeks. Luber-Johnson Miss Velda Johnson, of O'Neill, became the bride of Elvin Luber, also of O’Neill, on Wednesday, De cember 7. The bride is the daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew John Bon and the groom a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Luber. The couple were attended by Miss Muriel Gra ham and Gerald Hansen. The bride was attired in a Du bonnet wine dress with wine ac cessories and her attendant wore a copper-colored dress with match ing accessories. The groom wore the usual blue and his attendant the same. After the wedding ceremony, which was performed by Rev. Con rad, the two couple left for O’Don nell’s lake where they were the guests of Mrs. James Donlin, a sister of the bride. A six o’clock dinner awaited them and a large number of immediate friends and relatives. The young couple will be at home on the Reed ranch near Redbird after December 7th. XXX Files Suit For Divorce Rosa Lina Gloor filed suit in the district court asking fcor a decree of divorce from Emil Gloor. They are both residents of Atkir.con. In her petition she alleges that they were united in marriage at Atfru, Switberland, on March 29, 1913, and that since 1930 the plain tiff has been a naturalized citizen of the United States. She ale e cruel and inhuman treatment and lack of support. There are seven children, three of whom are of age and she asks the custody of the minor children who are new with her in Atkinson. She alleges that since October 19, 1938, that the defendant has re fused to speak to her and that he has refused to purchase food and clothing for her or their children and that she had used all of her money in supporting herself and family. She further alleges that December 3, he visited the stores in Atkinson and told them not to permit her to purchase the neces sities of life on time and at the same time refused to furnish her money with which to purchase food. She asks for an absolute divorce and the care and custody of the minor children and asks that de fendant be required to pay into court a sum sufficient to support her and said children pending the di vorce action and for reasonable attorneys fees and such other relief as may be just and equitable. Former Cornhusker Star Here Next Week Glenn Presnell, Cornhusker back field coach, and one of the greatest backfield men ever to play for the University of Nebraska, will be guest speaker at the “O” Club banquet to be held in the banquet room of the Golden Hotel, in O’Neill on Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 p. m. Presnell is not a stranger to the i Nebraska football fans, nor is he unknown to football fans through-1 out the nation. An All-American half back in his playing days with j the Cornhuskers, Presnell went! from the Nebraska University team into professional football. He played with sereval of the topflight teams in the National Professional league. While with the Ports mouth Spartans he was voted the most valuable back in professional football which just about means the greatest there is. Later he was quarterback for “Potsy” Clarks Detroit Lions. Presnell directed the Lions to the World’s football championship, not only serving as his teams signal caller but also being key man in Clarks intricate offense in the running, passing and kicking departments. From . the Lions Presnell went to the University of Kansas where he served as backfield coach until he received the call to his Alma Mater to serve in that capacity. His work at the Jayhawk institution was largely responsible for bring ing K. U. up to a tie with Nebraska, 13-13, during the 1037 season. Presnell has had about every honor that could be bestowed upon a football player. His story is typical of Nebraska University tradition, the story of a small town, (Arnold, Nebraska) boy rising from obscurity on his high school team, where he often had to play without siloes, headgear, or should er pads, to All-America on the great Cornhuskers teams of the 1920’s, then to achieve tho highest honor professional football could offer, to then return to the Corn husker campus to produce other great teams. The “O” Club, consisting of lettermen from O’Neill High school, plan to make this banquet an an nual affair, and feel that they are extremely fortunate in securing Presnell as guest speaker. Pres nell will show pictures of Ne braska’s 1938 games. He will, if possible bring one of the stars of the 1938 team along to O’Neill. Tickets for the banquet are on sale by all “O” Club and Lion Club members. Can You See Everything From 50-Yard Line? Another famed belief proves untrue. The 50 yard line does not permit the spectator to see all, or so, the Atkinson Graphic’s ac count of the O’Neill-Atkinson foot ball game seems to infer. Editor Kelly had announced that he had seats on the 50 yard lqje, but his account of the game is woefully (or willfullly) inaccurate. He states that Atkinson held Hunt, gives the inference that Hunt counldn’t gain. But does he men tion that Hunt was hurt early in the game? Oh no! Where were you when it happened Editor Kelly? Still eating turkey? He merely states that Atkinson held Hunt to two good gains. Never mention that Hunt carried the ball exactly twice in the last half, and but little more the first half. Then he mentions McKenna’s intercep tion but not the lateral to Hunt or Hunt’s run down the sideline. This gain was not mentioned but it was certainly a good one. Don’t such gains count in Atkinson? There were other discrepancies but these will serve as an example. Let the Editor explain. He would not prevaricate, would he? That’s wrong. Possibly he ate too much turkey. I recently heard two people talk ing about an account of an O’Neill football game that appeared in an |out Qf town paper and one said: “The writer forgot that old saying, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The other replied: “Yes, and what about that one about ‘You can fool all the people some of the time; some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” OBSERVER. CARD OF THANKS We thank the citizens of Holt county for all of the courtesies and sympathies shown to us during the sickness and death of our father, M. F. Norton, and espec ially for the distinguished funeral services furnished to our father by the county and district officials and employees in the court house, and for the beautiful floral tributes.— The Norton Family. 0 BRIEFLY STATED John Sullivan left Sunday on a ?hort business trip to Omaha. D. A. Criss, of Stuart, was in O’Neill on business Monday. Jack Davidson made a business trip to Creighton and Orchard on Tuesday. Miss Luree Abart and Miss Ruby Weisman spent Sunday in Norfolk visiting friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ora Witchen drove to Sioux City Saturday, returning home on Sunday. Mrs. Helen Simar and Miss Ethel Tasler left Sunday for Omaha on a short business trip. Mrs. William Froelich drove to Sioux City Thursday where she will meet Mr. Froelich. Helen Gilday spent the week end at the Mike Langan home as a guest of Dorothy Langan. Wayne Taylor and Floyd Jareske left Sunday for Gordon, where they have secured employment. Jack Grady left Sunday for Hold rege, where he attended a meeting of Golden Rule employees. Sheriff Smoyer, of Albion, and Sheriff Stonacher, of Geneva, were in O’Neill Wednesday on business. Francis Gunn went to Lincoln Thursday morning for examination and treatment at a Lincoln hospi tal. Mrs. Homer Mullen entertained the Delta 'Dek at dinner followed by cards at her home Wednesday evening. Miss Mary Lois Hammond and Charles Chace, of Atkinson, drove to Lincoln Sunday and spent the day visiting. Elvin Luber and Miss Velda Johnson, both of O’Neill, were granted a marriage in county court last Wednesday. Mrs. Charles Yarnell left Sun day for Hendley where she will visit her mother, Mrs. Ida Myers for a few days. Gordon Jewell, of Plainview, ar rived in O'Neill Monday and will assist at the Council Ook during the Christmas rush. Ira Norton, who was here dur ing the last illness and funeral of his father, left Monday for his home in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Froelich en tertained twelve couples at dinner and cards at the Golden Hotel on Sunday evening. Owen McPharlin, of Omaha, spent the week end in O’Neill visit ing at the home of his mother, Mrs. Augusta McPharlin. John Markey returned Thursday from St. Joe, Mo., where he had been visiting relatives and friends for the past month. Joe Langan returned from Springfield, 111., last Friday. His cousin, Joe Rotherham returned with him for a visit. Mr. and Mrs. Everett McCauley, of Omaha, arrived Monday and visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Herre until Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. William McCor mick, of Valentine, arrived Friday and were week end puests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mike En ripht. Mr. and Mrs. Reed Brupeman and Mr. and Mrs. Carter Lee drove to Chambers Sunday where they spent the day visitinp relatives and friends. The Presbyterian Ladies are holdinp a bip sale on Saturday af ternoon, December 10, at Keisen brock’s Meat Market. Sale starts at f. o’clock. The Candle Light Communion service will be December ,f> at 7 o'clock, p. m., at St. Paul’s Epis copal church, Rev. E. C. Rorke, rector in charpe. M. L. Crandell and Mrs. L. A. Rnrtrpss rrte,"'r,'t S,,nd'>” from North Platte where they had been af Die home of M*\ and Mrs. Harvey 'DMer. whose son, Jerry, is serious ly ill. Mrs M’l'er is *» D •'«>*• 0f Mrs. Miller and a sister-in-law of Mr. Crandell.
