Frankie "Kid" Carlin
FRANKIE “KID” CARLIN was born Julius Lighthiser on May 16, 1915 to Theodore and Dorothy Lighthiser in Baltimore, Maryland. His father was a naval veteran of the Spanish-American War. He was one of at least three sons, coming after Theodore Jr. and Henry. The family had moved to Camden by January of 1920, when they lived at 1217 Octagon Road in the then new Yorkship Village homes. When the Census was taken in April of 1930, the family lived at 1006 Spruce Street in Camden. Theodore Lighthiser then worked in these years as a bookkeeper at a fish market. The family later moved to Lansdowne Avenue.
Julius Lighthiser followed his older brother Henry into the boxing ring. Turning professional in the mid-1930s, he initially fought under the ring name “Frankie ‘Kid’ Carlin.” His early fights were promoted by Camden ex-boxer Frankie Rapp. By October of 1935 he had returned to using his given name.
As “Kid” Carlin, he won nine of his first 10 fights before suffering a neck injury, forcing a layoff in late 1935 and early 1936. He returned to the ring and continued to box as late as June 1938.
After World War II, Julius Lighthiser worked as a press operator. He lived at 1045 Haddon Avenue when the 1947 Camden City Directory was published.
Last a resident of Gloucester City NJ, Julius “Frankie Carlin” Lighthiser passed away on October 6, 1988.
Known Career Record
Super Featherweight — Hometown: Camden, NJ — Record: won 9, lost 2, drawn 2 (1 unknown)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Rds | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (7 early wins — opponents and dates unrecorded) | |||||
| — | Jimmy Russell | D | — | — | — |
| 1935-10-15 | Paul Enno | W | PTS | — | Camden, NJ |
| — | Paul Enno | — | — | — | Trenton, NJ |
| Injured neck in first Enno fight; re-injured it in second. Laid off late 1935–early 1936. | |||||
| 1938-02-05 | Walter Kirk | L | — | 6 | Cambria Club, Philadelphia, PA |
| 1938-05-02 | Phil Sharkey | L | PTS | 6 | Newark, NJ |
| 1938-06-03 | Dick Carangelo | D | PTS | 6 | Mount Freedom, NJ |
| 1938-06-14 | Harry Ovis | L | KO | 5 | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, NJ |
Note: This record may be incomplete/inaccurate.
Camden Courier-Post — May 16, 1934
BLAIR MAY REACH HEIGHTS IN BOXING
Young South Camdenite Has Proved Gameness; Meets Marty Little Friday
Frankie Blair, downtown welterweight and brother of Mickey Blair who bossed South Jersey featherweights a few years ago, has the stuff of which champions are made. Blair, who meets Marty Little of Waterford, in the six-round main preliminary of Friday night's boxing show here at the Convention Hall, isn't hand-picking his opponents despite the fact that he has participated in only a few fights as a professional. Tommy Rios, of Wilmington, Del., who drew with Roxie Allen, South Camden product, here a short time ago, and Sylvan Bass, of Baltimore, Md., clash in the feature bout of eight rounds.
The Blair-Little bout is attracting more than average interest among local fans. Frankie tackled Ted Borman, another South Camdenite who has years of experience on him, in his last bout and lost decisively. However, when offered a match with Little, who also has been campaigning for several years, Blair signed for the match without the slightest quibbling.
Frankie has the courage of a mountain lion and has yet to take a backward step in his bouts in local rings. He still has a lot to learn about the finer arts of the fistic sport, but he's a snappy puncher, which, coupled with his gameness, may some day place him in the front ranks of the 147-pounders.
Frankie may run into another storm in trading leather with Little. Marty also was beaten in his last trip to the barrier, Johnny Roach of Wilmington, Del., easily winning over the Waterford Italian in six rounds. But Little scored the only knockdown of the match, dropping Roach for a count of nine with a left hook to the jaw.
But even if Little beats Blair, the downtown youngster still would be willing to tackle a tougher opponent in his next start. Frankie, a smart kid, learns a bit more each time he boxes and it would not be surprising if he eventually fought his way to stardom.
Anyway, he always makes a fight of it and his tilt with Little is certain to be a crowd-pleaser, as Frankie crowds his foemen and makes them fight whether they want to or not.
Matchmaker Frankie Rapp today announced that Joe Mandarano, of Manayunk, Philadelphia, refused to meet Billy Hendrie, a fellow townsman, in the eight-round semi-final. Rapp hopes to obtain a suitable opponent for Hendrie, who is rapidly forging to the front in Philadelphia boxing ranks, but in event that he cannot sign a fighter who will give Hendrie a battle, he may pull out Billy and put in a new match.
In the two other six-rounders, Harry Smith, of North Camden, who stopped Freddy Adgie, of Philadelphia, in three rounds a couple of weeks ago, takes on Tom Henry, of Philadelphia, while two local youngsters, Julius Lighthiser and Jack Gleason, will battle for supremacy.
Walcott and King Fight for Title Belt Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Clash at Civic Hall In 8 Round Feature
A belt, emblematic of the light heavyweight championship of South Jersey, will be presented the winner of the Jersey Joe Walcott–Al King fight here at the Convention Hall tonight.
Walcott and King are scheduled to appear in the feature eight-rounder at the Civic Center hall and Promoter Lew McFarland will give the victor a belt bought by the Golden Gate Sporting Club, which is sponsoring the show.
Walcott has yet to be put to the test as his last two opponents here were outclassed. The coffee-colored Merchantville light heavy unquestionably is a great puncher and made a chopping block of Pat “Red” Roland a few weeks ago, the bout being stopped in the fourth round to save the latter from being sent home in a basket. During the outdoor season, Walcott stopped Lew Alva, who was booked as a Spaniard, but who later proved to be a Philadelphian, in one round.
King Has Good Record
King comes here with a good reputation. According to Promoter MacFarland, King, who hails from Hackettstown, has had 10 professional fights and won all 10, nine over the knockout route and a six-round win over Abie Bain, who several years ago gave Maxie Rosenbloom a real battle at Madison Square Garden when Rosenbloom held the light heavy title.
Julius Lighthiser, who resumed his right name after boxing several bouts under the name of Frankie “Kid” Carlin, has been forced to pull out of the eight-round semi-final due to an attack of arthritis in his neck. Julius Lighthiser was listed to meet Paul Enno of the Philippine Islands, in a return match, the two having fought a great six-rounder in the last show, but Julius, while training caught a punch on his neck which caused a ligament to cross a nerve and arthritis developed.
Duca Replaces Lighthiser
So Promoter McFarland has signed Mickey Duca of Paulsboro, to act as a substitute for Lighthiser against Enno. Lighthiser beat Enno, who is a club fighter. Duca also is a club fighter and the two kids may steal the thunder of the stars.
Two heavyweights, Al “Peaches” Gray of North Camden, and Jack Houvig, three-letter athlete at Salem High School a few years ago, meet in the main preliminary of six rounds. Both are good punchers and anxious to please as they are making a comeback after several years’ absence from the ring.
In the two preliminary bouts, both six-rounders, Joe Bonomo and Joe Reno, both residents of South Camden, trade punches, while Dan Ryrie of Fairview, and Danny McNichol of Merchantville, deadly rivals, open the show.
Sideline Slants
Camden Courier-Post —
By Frank Kopesky
FRANKIE “KID” CARLIN, who will be remembered by amateur boxing fans here as the ambitious Julius Lighthiser, is nearly back in pink condition after having been forced into idleness due to an injury to his neck. Frankie will be a lightweight when he again answers the gong and his training is being supervised by his brother.
Frankie injured his neck in a bout with Paul Enno here October 15. He thought little of it, however, until he again encountered Enno at Trenton, and this time the injury bothered him considerably. Under doctor’s orders, he went under wraps to give the hurt opportunity to heal.
The flashy Lansdowne Avenue scrapper has fought 10 pro fights since departing from simon-pure ranks, and he won them all except a draw with Jimmy Russell. Boxing experts predict a fine future for the local boy.
Billy Passen to Meet Marcelline at Cambria
Camden Courier-Post —
Billy Passan, diminutive lefty from Germantown, continues his comeback tonight, when he meets Johnny Marcelline, Southwark bantam, who is pinch-hitting for Indian Quintano in the Cambria’s 10-round windup bout at Philadelphia.
Nick Young and Tom Kapsack, clash in the eight-round semi-final. The six-round prelims are Hedman Masselli vs. Billy Arnold, Walter Kirk vs. Frankie (Kid) Carlin, and Frankie Nello vs. Dave (Baby) Hagan.
Joseph Thanner Heads Sons of Vets Camp
Joseph Thanner, of Haddon Heights, has been elected president of the newly organized Charles M. Jeffries Camp, Sons of Spanish War Veterans, it was announced, by Charles F. Haus, 518 Rex Place, Camden, who was chairman of the organizing committee.
Other officers are Howard Parker, Sewell, senior vice president; Gerald Inglesby, Merchantville, junior vice president; Richard Van Istendal, Camden, secretary; Julius W. Lighthiser, Camden, treasurer; Henry Lighthiser, Camden, chaplain; Edward Jerome Phifer, Camden, guard; Theodore J. Lighthiser, Jr., Camden, and Lawrence C. Sloan, Westville, color guards.
Joseph Thanner, who was elected president of the newly organized Charles M. Jeffries Camp, Sons of Spanish Veterans
Billy Passan Wins Over Marcelline
Camden Courier-Post —
Rally after being on the floor for a count of eight in the first round, Billy Passan, 119, won the unanimous decision last night over Johnny Marcelline, 118, in the feature bout at the Philadelphia Cambria Club. Both are hometown boys.
After going down for the count of eight and also losing the second round, Passan came out fighting like a demon in the third round and he soon had Marcelline running for cover. Passan was credited with a one-count knockdown in the fifth round of the 10-round bout.
Frankie Carlin, 132, of Camden, lost a six-round decision in one of the preliminaries to Walt Kirk, 134, Kensington.
In the other bouts, Nick Young, 182, gained the nod over Tom Kapsack, 181; Herman Masselli, 141, was given the verdict over Billy Arnold, 134, and Frank Nello, 141, scored a knockout over Dave Hagan, 135; in the second round, Kapsack hails from New Brunswick and the others all are Philadelphians.