Sgt. Ray Smith
Portrait photo — no article text to transcribe. Shows a young man in boxing stance wearing shorts, bare-chested, in a newspaper halftone photo. Likely a portrait of Ray Smith from his boxing days.
SERGEANT RAY SMITH was born Lucius Raymond Smith on July 6, 1895. Enlisting in the United States Army at 17, he served in Mexico with General Pershing’s expedition in pursuit of Pancho Villa. A combat veteran of World War I, he was wounded while serving in France during that conflict, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre with palms, presented to him personally by Field Marshal Henri Pétain.
Sergeant Ray Smith had fought at least once as a professional before the war. During that time he came to prominence as a boxer, becoming the heavyweight champion of the American Expeditionary Force.
Sergeant Ray Smith returned to professional boxing after the war. In 20 fights his record was 2 wins, 15 losses, and 3 no contest, not uncommon as in those days certain states while allowing pro boxing would not allow a winner to be declared. He fought some of the most famous boxers of his day, including eventual world heavyweight champion Gene Tunney, one-time middleweight champion Leo Houck, and heavyweight title contenders Tommy Gibbons and Bill “KO” Brennan. He fought Battling Levinsky for the Light Heavyweight Title, but lost on points.
After hanging up his gloves, he remained in boxing as a referee, and was well known for fairness and good judgment. Settling in Camden NJ, he made his home in the 1920s and early 1930s at 31 North 25th Street, and later at 212 North 27th Street. Ray Smith worked as a radio announcer and as sportswriter. Ray Smith was involved in many civic activities. He was the president of the Elks Crippled Children’s Committee for over 20 years, was a four-time commander of VFW Post 705 in Camden, three-time commander of the August F. Walters Chapter No. 4 of the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the Raymond C. Thoirs Post 47 of the American Legion, Ring No. 6 of the New Jersey Veterans Boxing Association, and was involved in many, many other civic activities. He was one of the leaders of the bonus march for World War I veterans, and was associated with Congressman Charles A. Wolverton in veterans matters.
In 1926 he ran for Republican committeeman from the Twelfth Ward with the support of Jake Schiller, but lost to Clay W. Reesman.
Sgt. Ray Smith was working for the Courier-Post on the night of June 8, 1933 when he was hurt in a car accident while en route to New York to cover the Max Baer vs. Max Schmeling fight at Yankee Stadium.
In May of 1934 he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for the New Jersey Assembly from Camden. In the fight for control of the Republican Party in Camden, he was an ally of Albert S. Woodruff.
Raymond Smith was married to Mabel, and they had one child, a son, Charles Augustus Bodine Smith, who left school to enlist in the Army in 1942. Mabel F. Smith passed away in 1944, and sadly, Private Charles A.B. Smith died while serving in Algeria later that year.
Sergeant Ray Smith moved to the Erial section of Gloucester Township NJ after World War II, where he founded and operated the Charles A.B. Smith Home for Crippled Children. He remained active in civic affairs.
In February of 1959 he addressed the New Jersey Assembly on veterans issues. On April 20, 1959 he was honored by Ring 6 of the New Jersey Veterans Boxing Association as Man of the Year.
An automobile accident in 1964 left Sgt. Ray Smith partially crippled, only able to walk with the use of braces and crutches. Refusing to give up his work on the crippled children’s charities, he was still living at his home in Erial as late as December of 1967. Raymond Smith’s later years were spent in Haddon Heights NJ. Sergeant Ray Smith passed away in February of 1979.
Sergeant Ray Smith's Boxing Record
Known Boxing Record
Sgt. Ray Smith (Lucius Raymond Smith) career boxing record — W2 (KO1) L15 (KO10) NC3. Total 20 known bouts plus one exhibition.
Bouts
| Date ↕ | Opponent ↕ | Result ↕ | Method ↕ | Rounds ↕ | Location ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923-09-21 | Homer Smith | L | KO | 7 | Kalamazoo, MI, USA |
| 1923-08-26 | Homer Smith | W | PTS | 1 | Kalamazoo, MI, USA |
| 1922-08-08 | Harry Wills | L | PTS | 6 | Quebec, Canada |
| 1922-05-10 | Ad Stone | L | KO | 1 | Philadelphia, PA, USA |
| 1922-03-13 | Leo Houck | L | PTS | 8 | Lancaster, PA, USA |
| 1921-10-19 | Denver Ed Martin | L | KO | 3 | Arena, Milwaukee, OR, USA |
| 1921-09-08 | Battling Levinsky | L | PTS | 10 | Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| 1921-08-05 | Paul Samson-Körner | L | KO | 4 | |
| 1921-05-27 | Tommy Gibbons | L | KO | 2 | Youngstown, OH, USA |
| 1921-04-04 | Eddie Record | NC | NC | 2 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| 1921-03-14 | Bill (KO) Brennan | L | KO | 3 | Havana, Cuba |
| 1920-12-08 | Charley Weinert | L | KO | 1 | Newark, NJ, USA |
| 1920-11-10 | Fighting Bob Martin | L | KO | 2 | Savannah, GA, USA |
| 1920-10-22 | Gene Tunney | L | KO | 2 | Camden, NJ, USA |
| 1920-09-15 | Fighting Bob Martin | L | DQ | 2 | St. Louis, MO, USA |
| 1920-07-26 | Fighting Bob Martin | L | KO | 5 | Columbus, OH, USA |
| 1920-06-28 | Battling Levinsky | NC | ND | 10 | Cleveland, OH, USA |
| 1920-02-23 | Jack Connors | W | KO | 2 | Akron, OH, USA |
| 1920-01-26 | Fighting Bob Martin | NC | ND | 10 | Cleveland, OH, USA |
| 1917-07-04 | Jack Dillon | L | KO | 1 | Terre Haute, IN, USA |
Why Not Aid Veterans Instead of Finder of Lindbergh Baby?
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
Sir—Anything for publicity.
Assemblyman Frank Travaline proved that he is not half a [sic] interested in Camden county as he is in publicity for Mr. Travaline.
In Camden county there are hundreds of ex-service men, white and colored, hungry and without jobs. All they did was fight that democracy should continue. Many of them are wounded and barely able to carry on. No legislation to help them is even thought of by my good friend Frank.
Now a man goes in the bushes and accidentally finds the corpse of the Lindbergh baby without any particular effort on his part. In fact, he wasn’t even looking for the baby. Mr. Travaline introduces a bill whereas the finder will be provided for with a job by the state. And the man comes from Mercer county. Why does Frank exhibit so much interest in a man who does not even come from the county he represents? Yes, we know that the affair is national. Yet the gentleman from Mercer did not introduce any such bill.
We want more representation right here in Camden county, more constructive legislation that will help our community. If Frank needs any ideas just let him walk around our city with a couple of ex-service men.
SGT. RAY SMITH.
Allen Takes Thumping But Gets Even Break
Camden Courier-Post —
Ringside Howls Greet Draw Decision in Allen-Cabana Bout
ALLEN TAKES THUMPING BUT GETS EVEN BREAK
Former Maine Ringster Wins Four Rounds, Loses Three, Splits One in 8-Round Fuss
SPEARING BEATS K.O. KID
By SOK
A chorus of 1500 enraged voices, raised in a discordant unison, greeted the announcement of a draw decision handed down by Referee Ray Smith at the conclusion of eight rounds of legal assault between Roxie Allen and Emory Cabana at Twelfth and Federal streets last night. The occasion was the star bout of the Camden City A. C. boxing show.
This howling mass assembled at the local ball plant hoping to see Allen, regarded as the premier “lightweight” puncher of these parts, take a slamming from the shifty son of Maine’s woodlands around Sanford. They feasted their eyes on the unusual sight of Allen catching rights and lefts to the head and body. They saw Cabana clout his ever-moving target around the roped enclosure in four of the eight innings, losing but three, one of which was by a slim margin. They watched the popular Cabana fight to a standstill in the other frame and gloried in the scene of a reeling, leg-weary Roxie, with left eye battered, make his uncertain way toward his stool when the fight ended.
But the decision that called the affair even came like a lightning bolt from the sky and they cut loose their shrieking protest in a venomous volume that could be heard for blocks around the premises.
LOCAL FIGHT RESULTS
The winners, losers and their weights in the Camden City A.C. boxing show at the Twelfth and Federal streets ball field last night follow:
Frankie Mack, 126 pounds, of Camden, stopped Joe Powell, 128 pounds, of Camden, in two rounds. Bout stopped after end of first round.
Joe Kid Kelly, 126 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Freddie Brady, 126½ pounds, of Philadelphia, in six rounds.
Tommy Kid Boots, 175 pounds, of Roebling, won referee’s decision over Joe Lill, 180 pounds, of U. S. Marines, in six rounds.
Joe Spearing, 135 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Joey Michaels, 143 pounds, of Riverside, in eight rounds.
Emory Cabana, 129 pounds, of Philadelphia, fought draw with Roxie Allen, 138 pounds, of Camden, in eight rounds.
Referee—Thomas Walters (first three bouts); Sgt. Ray Smith (last two).
Timer—George Dean. Announcer—Joe Valentine.
Cabana Gets Early Lead
Coming out of his corner with fire in his eyes and dynamite in his upholstered fists, Cabana lashed away at Allen to win the first two heats. These frames were treats to the patient patrons who have frequently flocked through the Camden Club’s turnstiles, hoping for just such a scene. Allen did better in the third session, for he earned an even break, but Cabana was right back at him in the fourth and carried that chapter, boosting his lead to almost an unsurmountable edge.
Roxie heard plenty of barking when he went back to his stool at the end of the fourth and he came out a changed clouter when the gong signaled for the fifth heat. It was the real Allen fighting back, jabbing, right-crossing, and he also pecked away with a series of one-twos in the sixth, shaving a considerable chunk off Cabana’s lead. Emory decided to do some more hustling on his own hook when the seventh started, but Allen retained a slim margin when they took the next rest.
In the eighth and final round Cabana came out the stronger, although Allen tried to trim him down with long right leads and light jabs. After this resulted to Cabana’s advantage Allen shifted his tactics and bulled the former Maine mauler over the four sides of the ring. It was a furious rubbing, heeling, clinching round, with Cabana deserving the nod due to his greater aggressiveness and cleaner punches. Allen showed much of his old self in this round, but he was whipped when he ambled to his stool.
Allen in Typical Form
Barring the first two rounds it was a typical Allen fight. Taking it from start to finish it was the usual pleasing Cabana mode of battling. In the initial rounds Emory was more than the rugged, rushing slashing, two-fisted knuckler that Camden fans have seen before. He tore in from the sound of the first bell, connected well with his long right crosses and sweeping left hooks to the belt and when he feinted it was just too bad for Roxie. The latter exhibited flashes of creditable work but he was often backing and did not add to his prestige.
There might have been a few who felt that Allen deserved a draw and there might have been some in that gallery of mixed minds who may have given him the decision but if there was one person inclined toward either of these turns he or she did not let it be known to that motley, screaming mass that yelled in protest of the verdict. They looked like an enraged mob with their hands waving high and their voices pitched to the limit, seemingly aching to reach the object of their ire but held in restraint by some invisible bonds.
To the writer it is hardly conceivable how the three rounds that are granted to Allen could balance against the four frames that Cabana earned even if an allowance of any one of the latter innings could be shifted to Roxie’s credit.
Question Over Allen’s Weight
There was considerable comment heard around the ringside and back in the dressing barn as well as throughout the gallery over the weight figures.
At 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon it was announced that Cabana surprised everybody with 129 pounds while Allen’s weight was given as 138 pounds. When the fighters were brought into the ring after the first two bouts owing to threatening weather it was announced that Cabana’s poundage was 131 with Allen scaling at 138 pounds. It was frequently heard that Roxie tipped the beam at 141 yesterday afternoon and came in around 144 last night.
Since starting his comeback here several weeks ago Joe Spearing, the husky local lightweight has done some tall thumping and he added another nick in his knuckles when he beat down Joey Michaels, the Riverside knocker, in the semi-windup of last night’s bill.
Michaels took the aggressive at the start and whipped over some speedy rights and lefts, forcing Spearing to the pedal act for two rounds. The latter, however, rated as one of the strongest boxers in the local ring racket, has always been a slow starter and he didn’t get going until the third heat. But from then on the youthful blond Burlington county slugger was in plenty of trouble.
Joey came out for the third much the same manner that he whaled away in the previous rounds, but a couple of Soearing [sic] abs [sic] and two right uppercuts followed by a series of rights and lefts that contained a bundle of sting slowed him down a peg and marked the turning point of the battle. When the bell sent them to rest Michaels bled from the nose but it was merely a slight trickle that didn’t look dangerous.
After winning the first and second Michaels trailed Soearing [sic] in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth while the seventh was even. The final frame went to Michaels. It was a hard fight and Referee Smith was given a far more pleasing round of applause than that which marked his return to the ring after the Allen-Cabana tilt.
Tommy Kid Boots, that 175-pounds of handsome, bull-like fighting stock from Roebling, gave Joe Lill, a former marine, a good thumping about the head and body in the main preliminary contest. Lill scaled 180 ponds [sic] and gave Boots loads of grief for a couple of rounds, but when all was said and done there was really only one and that was the big slam and slug boy from Roebling.
Joe Kid Kelly, a slim Irish lad, gave a foe named Freddie Brady a beating in the second duel. Brady who hails from Philadelphia, likes to have his residence announced as Panama but it didn’t matter to Kelly as he was clouting O. K. and let them fly hard and often in the direction of Mr. Brady’s fizz. Joe might have put the boots to Freddie if he had worked downstairs but that’s neither here nor there, he won the decision.
Frankie Mack gashed Joe Powell in the first round of the opener and when the boys sat down Inspector Edward A. Welsh decided it might be too dangerous to allow the bout to go on. Powell had an ugly wound over his right eye and faced serious injury if the bout were permitted to go farther than it did. Noone saw a punch open Joe’s forehead and it is felt that he received the cut accidentally during a clinch.
Local Fight Results
Camden Courier-Post —
Ringside Howls Greet Draw Decision in Allen-Cabana Bout
ALLEN TAKES THUMPING BUT GETS EVEN BREAK
Former Maine Ringster Wins Four Rounds, Loses Three, Splits One in 8-Round Fuss
SPEARING BEATS K.O. KID
By SOK
A chorus of 1500 enraged voices, raised in a discordant unison, greeted the announcement of a draw decision handed down by Referee Ray Smith at the conclusion of eight rounds of legal assault between Roxie Allen and Emory Cabana at Twelfth and Federal streets last night. The occasion was the star bout of the Camden City A. C. boxing show.
This howling mass assembled at the local ball plant hoping to see Allen, regarded as the premier “lightweight” puncher of these parts, take a slamming from the shifty son of Maine’s woodlands around Sanford. They feasted their eyes on the unusual sight of Allen catching rights and lefts to the head and body. They saw Cabana clout his ever-moving target around the roped enclosure in four of the eight innings, losing but three, one of which was by a slim margin. They watched the popular Cabana fight to a standstill in the other frame and gloried in the scene of a reeling, leg-weary Roxie, with left eye battered, make his uncertain way toward his stool when the fight ended.
But the decision that called the affair even came like a lightning bolt from the sky and they cut loose their shrieking protest in a venomous volume that could be heard for blocks around the premises.
LOCAL FIGHT RESULTS
The winners, losers and their weights in the Camden City A.C. boxing show at the Twelfth and Federal streets ball field last night follow:
Frankie Mack, 126 pounds, of Camden, stopped Joe Powell, 128 pounds, of Camden, in two rounds. Bout stopped after end of first round.
Joe Kid Kelly, 126 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Freddie Brady, 126½ pounds, of Philadelphia, in six rounds.
Tommy Kid Boots, 175 pounds, of Roebling, won referee’s decision over Joe Lill, 180 pounds, of U. S. Marines, in six rounds.
Joe Spearing, 135 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Joey Michaels, 143 pounds, of Riverside, in eight rounds.
Emory Cabana, 129 pounds, of Philadelphia, fought draw with Roxie Allen, 138 pounds, of Camden, in eight rounds.
Referee—Thomas Walters (first three bouts); Sgt. Ray Smith (last two).
Timer—George Dean. Announcer—Joe Valentine.
Cabana Gets Early Lead
Coming out of his corner with fire in his eyes and dynamite in his upholstered fists, Cabana lashed away at Allen to win the first two heats. These frames were treats to the patient patrons who have frequently flocked through the Camden Club’s turnstiles, hoping for just such a scene. Allen did better in the third session, for he earned an even break, but Cabana was right back at him in the fourth and carried that chapter, boosting his lead to almost an unsurmountable edge.
Roxie heard plenty of barking when he went back to his stool at the end of the fourth and he came out a changed clouter when the gong signaled for the fifth heat. It was the real Allen fighting back, jabbing, right-crossing, and he also pecked away with a series of one-twos in the sixth, shaving a considerable chunk off Cabana’s lead. Emory decided to do some more hustling on his own hook when the seventh started, but Allen retained a slim margin when they took the next rest.
In the eighth and final round Cabana came out the stronger, although Allen tried to trim him down with long right leads and light jabs. After this resulted to Cabana’s advantage Allen shifted his tactics and bulled the former Maine mauler over the four sides of the ring. It was a furious rubbing, heeling, clinching round, with Cabana deserving the nod due to his greater aggressiveness and cleaner punches. Allen showed much of his old self in this round, but he was whipped when he ambled to his stool.
Allen in Typical Form
Barring the first two rounds it was a typical Allen fight. Taking it from start to finish it was the usual pleasing Cabana mode of battling. In the initial rounds Emory was more than the rugged, rushing slashing, two-fisted knuckler that Camden fans have seen before. He tore in from the sound of the first bell, connected well with his long right crosses and sweeping left hooks to the belt and when he feinted it was just too bad for Roxie. The latter exhibited flashes of creditable work but he was often backing and did not add to his prestige.
There might have been a few who felt that Allen deserved a draw and there might have been some in that gallery of mixed minds who may have given him the decision but if there was one person inclined toward either of these turns he or she did not let it be known to that motley, screaming mass that yelled in protest of the verdict. They looked like an enraged mob with their hands waving high and their voices pitched to the limit, seemingly aching to reach the object of their ire but held in restraint by some invisible bonds.
To the writer it is hardly conceivable how the three rounds that are granted to Allen could balance against the four frames that Cabana earned even if an allowance of any one of the latter innings could be shifted to Roxie’s credit.
Question Over Allen’s Weight
There was considerable comment heard around the ringside and back in the dressing barn as well as throughout the gallery over the weight figures.
At 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon it was announced that Cabana surprised everybody with 129 pounds while Allen’s weight was given as 138 pounds. When the fighters were brought into the ring after the first two bouts owing to threatening weather it was announced that Cabana’s poundage was 131 with Allen scaling at 138 pounds. It was frequently heard that Roxie tipped the beam at 141 yesterday afternoon and came in around 144 last night.
Since starting his comeback here several weeks ago Joe Spearing, the husky local lightweight has done some tall thumping and he added another nick in his knuckles when he beat down Joey Michaels, the Riverside knocker, in the semi-windup of last night’s bill.
Michaels took the aggressive at the start and whipped over some speedy rights and lefts, forcing Spearing to the pedal act for two rounds. The latter, however, rated as one of the strongest boxers in the local ring racket, has always been a slow starter and he didn’t get going until the third heat. But from then on the youthful blond Burlington county slugger was in plenty of trouble.
Joey came out for the third much the same manner that he whaled away in the previous rounds, but a couple of Soearing [sic] abs [sic] and two right uppercuts followed by a series of rights and lefts that contained a bundle of sting slowed him down a peg and marked the turning point of the battle. When the bell sent them to rest Michaels bled from the nose but it was merely a slight trickle that didn’t look dangerous.
After winning the first and second Michaels trailed Soearing [sic] in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth while the seventh was even. The final frame went to Michaels. It was a hard fight and Referee Smith was given a far more pleasing round of applause than that which marked his return to the ring after the Allen-Cabana tilt.
Tommy Kid Boots, that 175-pounds of handsome, bull-like fighting stock from Roebling, gave Joe Lill, a former marine, a good thumping about the head and body in the main preliminary contest. Lill scaled 180 ponds [sic] and gave Boots loads of grief for a couple of rounds, but when all was said and done there was really only one and that was the big slam and slug boy from Roebling.
Joe Kid Kelly, a slim Irish lad, gave a foe named Freddie Brady a beating in the second duel. Brady who hails from Philadelphia, likes to have his residence announced as Panama but it didn’t matter to Kelly as he was clouting O. K. and let them fly hard and often in the direction of Mr. Brady’s fizz. Joe might have put the boots to Freddie if he had worked downstairs but that’s neither here nor there, he won the decision.
Frankie Mack gashed Joe Powell in the first round of the opener and when the boys sat down Inspector Edward A. Welsh decided it might be too dangerous to allow the bout to go on. Powell had an ugly wound over his right eye and faced serious injury if the bout were permitted to go farther than it did. Noone saw a punch open Joe’s forehead and it is felt that he received the cut accidentally during a clinch.
Fans Anticipate Stirring Bout When Mickey Blair Clashes With Joey Michaels Here Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
EVEN MONEY PREVAILS AS BOUT DRAWS NEAR
Friends of Principals Will Not Offer Odds on Convention Hall Final
BOTH BOYS CONFIDENT
Admirers of Mickey Blair, clever downtown Italian, are wagering even money that Blair will outpoint Joey Michaels, the Riverside knockout king when they clash in the feature eight-round scrap at the Convention Hall tonight. Five other bouts, every one of which shows promise of producing plenty of thrills, round out the night’s fistic program.
Still, it is the Blair-Michaels fuss that will fill every available space at the local Palace of Punch tonight. No bout arranged here in recent years has aroused the interest of local boxing devotees to the extent that tonight’s windup has created. It is a battle between a clever, cagey veteran and an inexperienced youngster who packs T. N. T. in both hands consequently, the fans are divided in their opinions as to which boy will win the verdict.
Each has a host of admirers who are willing to bet that their choice will be returned the victor, but neither side will lay odds on the outcome. That’s how the fans regard the bout.
Both Have Much at Stake
And the outcome is of the utmost importance to the principals. Blair, who is making his appearance here in several months, must win in order to regain his former place in the local fistic spotlight, while Michaels, who is fighting his first windup scrap tonight, must finish on the right side of the referee’s decision or else fall back among the lesser lights. Therefore both can be depended upon to put forth their best efforts in an attempt to gain the decision.
Mickey is one of the cleverest lads ever developed here, and until he broke a bone in his right hand in a bout with Tommy Murphy, of Trenton, in the Elks Krippled Kiddies Fund show here last fall, was regarded as the greatest little fighting machine in this end of the state. However, he was forced to undergo an operation as a result of the injury, idlying away many weeks before he was fit to fight again. His first tilt after regaining the use of his hand was with Tony Murray, of Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia Arena, which took place about five weeks ago. Murray winning the decision by a rally in the closing rounds.
Confidence Reigns in Both Camps
Blair, nevertheless, looked good for the first three rounds, but his extended layoff told on him in the final three sessions, while Murray, who was in good shape, put on added speed to win the contest.
But, Mickey is in tiptop condition for tonight’s fuss. He has trained diligently for the past two weeks and will answer the gong trained to the minute. He showed his old time skill during his training period, throwing punches at his sparring partners with all the speed that he displayed when he was the king of the feathers in this locality. He, along with his manager, John “Pud” Bantivoglio, feels confident that he is capable of outsmarting his dynamite-slinging foe.
Michaels, too, is confident that he will win the decision and so is his manager, Ed Berryan. Joey and his pilot do not fear the outcome. Both firmly believe that sometime during the scrap Blair will find himself on the floor just as eight of the ten opponents that Michaels has fought here have found themselves. And those eight stayed “put,” and how.
Kayo of Hindle Made Michaels
Jackie Hindle, local lightweight, was Michaels’ latest victim. Prior to his knockout victory over Hindle, who went the voyage in the fourth round, Michaels’ showing here didn’t cause a sensation even though he had knocked out seven of his nine opponents. The fans felt that he hadn’t met a first-class foe until he faced Hindle and it was the concensus of opinion that Hindle would outpoint Joey by a fair margin.
Michaels confounded the critics by stopping Jackie in the fourth round after the latter had held his own in the first three periods. That victory boosted Michaels’ stock a hundred percent. He gained many cohorts by that win and some of the boys who thought he was due to be licked by Hindle now think that he’ll also whip Blair.
And Michaels is a dangerous lad at all times. He hits as hard with one fist as he does with the other which accounts for his many knockouts. A single sock on a vital spot from either fist has flattened most of his opponents and Blair will be in constant danger during the course of the tilt. All in all it looks like a great scrap on paper and should be just as sensational in reality.
Frank Morris, of New York, who is reported to be a 300-hitter, clashes with Jack Nelson, of Hammonton, in the eight-round semi-final. They are heavyweights and as it is the usual thing for those sort of bouts to end early, this one may result in a knockout for Nelson, who also is a pretty fair puncher.
Kid Boots, of Riverside, a stablemate of Michaels, meets Harry Woods, of Philadelphia, in the main preliminary of six rounds. Woods replaces Stanley Ketchell who informed the promoters that a sparring partner had stuck one of the thumbs in his eye and that he would not be able to go through with the bout.
Harry Buck, of National Park, who stopped his last opponent, faces Joe “Kid” Kelly, of Camden, in the second scrap, while Young Joe O’Donnell, of Barrington, mingles with Tommy Collins, of Philadelphia, in the opener. Jesse Chambers, of Manila, and Jack Haley, of Burlington, meet in the four-round novice bout.
JOEY MICHAELS
The Riverside “killer” will be sent out by his manager, Ed Berryan, to knock out Mickey Blair, clever downtown Italian, as early as possible when they clash in the main event at the Convention Hall tonight. Michaels has scored eight knockouts in ten bouts here and many fans regard him as a coming lightweight champion.
Fans Jeer As Referee Smith Gives Draw Decision in ‘Mickey’ Blair-Joey Michaels Bout
Camden Courier-Post —
LOCAL FIGHT RESULTS
The winners, losers and their weights, of the Camden City A. C. boxing show at the Convention Hall last night follow:
Jack Riley, 151½ pounds, of Burlington, stopped Jess Chambers, 162 pounds of Mantua, in first round. (1 mintue [sic], 53 seconds).
Joe O’Donnell, 120 pounds, of Camden, knocked out Tommy Collins, 116 pounds, of Philadelphia, in first round. (1 minute, 5 seconds).
Kid Boots, 174½ pounds, of Riverside, stopped Harry Woodam 173 pounds, of Philadelphia, in first round. (35 seconds).
Joe Kid Kelly, 127 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Harry Buck 129 pounds, of National Park, in six rounds.
Frank Morris, 164 pounds, of New York, knocked out Willie Curry, 156 pounds, of Philadelphia, in first round. (1 minute, 50 seconds).
Mickey Blair, 133½ pounds, of Camden, and Joey Michaels, 134½ pounds, of Riverside, fought eight rounds to draw.
Referee—Sergeant Ray Smith.
Timer—George Dean. Inspector—Edward A. Welsh. Announcer—Joe Valentine.
Fans Jeer As Referee Smith Gives Draw Decision in ‘Mickey’ Blair-Joey Michaels Bout
BLAIR’S SKILL OFFSET MICHAELS KAYO PUNCH
Downtown Italian Wages Great Scrap in Holding Knockout King at Bay
MORRIS STOPS CURRIE
By TOM RYAN
Mickey Blair, downtown Italian, once more is the idol of Camden boxing devotees.
Displaying the best form he has shown in the past year, Blair outboxed, outpunched and outsmarted Joey Michaels, Riverside knockout artist, when they clashed in the feature eight-round set-to at the Convention Hall last night. Still, the best Blair received for his meritorious performance was a draw. Referee Sergeant Ray Smith declaring the bout even at the close of hostilities.
Mickey, in the writer’s opinion, was entitled to seven out of the eight rounds, while Michaels only could be credited with one round, the sixth, in which he landed a couple of well-directed right uppercuts to Blair’s jaw, which made Mickey a trifle “woozy” for a few seconds. However, barring that round, Blair never was in danger of being felled by one of Michaels’ lusty blows. That’s how the scrap appeared to the writer.
And the capacity crowd that witnessed the tussle evidently viewed the bout the same way, for they met Referee Smith’s decision with a concerted outburst of jeers that lasted several minutes. In fact, it was the most surprising verdict that has been rendered here since referee’s decisions have been in vogue. There wasn’t a spectator present who didn’t figure that Blair had won by a comfortable margin, consequently, Smith’s decision caused the fans to cut loose with “berries” from every part of the hall.
Four Bouts Result in Knockouts
While Smith’s decision failed to meet with the approval of the fans and also that of the writer, we sincerely believe that he gave the decision as he thought it should have been rendered. Of course, we do not know how he scored the scrap, but he must have given Michaels credit for several rounds which we thought belonged to Blair. It’s just a matter of a difference of opinion, which so frequently occurs whenever a fight of any importance is staged here. The verandah saw it one way and the fans and the writer another, but we’ll always believe that Blair should have been awarded the verdict without question.
Only one of the five bouts preceding the main event went the limit.
Frank Morris, 160, of New York, who is being groomed by Leo P. Flynn, for a whack at Mickey Walker’s middleweight crown, knocked out Willie Curry, 156, of Philadelphia, who substituted for Jack Nelson, of Hammonton, after one minute and fifty seconds of a one-sided scrapping in the semi-final. Curry went down twice from left hooks to the pit of the stomach, the last one putting him down for keeps.
Kid Boots, 174½, of Riverside, flattened Harry Woods, 172, of Philadelphia, who substituted for Stanley Ketchell, another Quaker City heavyweight, in the fast time of thirty-five seconds in the main preliminary.
Kelly Wins Over Buck
Joe “Kid” Kelly, 127, of South Camden, won the referee’s decision over Harry Buck, 129, of National Park, in the second six-rounder. It was a close fight and went the limit. Referee Walters awarding Kelly the verdict at the end of the fuss.
In the four-round novice bout, Jack Riley, 151½, of Burlington, stopped Jesse Chambers, of Mantua, after 1 minute and 53 seconds of slugging in the first round.
Tommy Collins, 116, of Philadelphia, took a “dive” in the first round of his tilt with Young Joe O’Donnell, 120, of Barrington. Incidentally, Collins’ money was held up by Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh, as Collins’ act was too raw for even the most liberal minded fans to condone.
But the crowd wasn’t interested in the settos preceding the feature scrap. The fans turned out to see Blair and Michaels fight, and while Michaels’ admirers were disappointed at his showing, Blair’s cohorts were overjoyed to see Mickey display his old-time form throughout.
Blair Outslugs Michaels
Picked by many critics to hit the deck if he attempted to trade punches with Michaels, Mickey astounded the fans by standing toe-to-toe with Joey, and on many occasions he invariably made the latter either break ground or go into a clinch. Blair knew entirely too much for Michaels. He feinted Joey into leading in the early rounds and then beat him to the punch repeatedly. Then in the closing rounds Blair took the lead himself, and also packed home his punches before Joey could get off first.
Michaels, who had knocked out eight of the ten opponents he had faced here prior to last night’s fuss with Blair, fought a one-punch fight. He apparently based his hopes of victory on getting an opening to tag Mickey on the “button,” but Mickey made certain that he didn’t present that opportunity, although he never once went into a “shell” in order to avoid punishment. Joey only made Mickey look tired in one round, and that was the sixth. In that frame Joey brought up a few right uppercuts while in the clinches which sent Mickey’s head bobbing and brought a weary look to his eyes, but Blair shook them off before the round was over and finished in good shape.
Blair’s best rounds were the first and fourth. Both sparred for an opening in the first and spent full thirty seconds fiddling around before Blair sent a right and left to the head, Mickey then cut loose with a long right which landed flush on Michaels’ nose, the punch starting the gore trickling at once. Mickey followed up with a flurry of rights and lefts to the head and body, winding up with a hard right to the jaw which sent Joey back on his heels. Blair tore into Michaels, banging away with both hands and Joey was forced to hold. After coming out of the embrace, Joey missed a long right swing and Blair took advantage of his poor judgment by planting a right and left to the body just as the bell ended the round.
Mickey Starts Weaving
Joey took the lead at the start of the second. He clipped Mickey alongside the head with a right and left, but the punches were too high to do much damage. Blair started weaving at this stage of the fuss and Joey appeared to be at a loss as to how to meet the situation. Mickey, however, went to work then and scored with a right and left to the body. He continued his attack on Joey’s midsection and the latter took to the run for the remainder of the round.
The third was a repetition of the second, Blair piling up more points, while Joey was looking for an opening to send home a decisive wallop. In the fourth, Mickey landed almost will and it was in this round that confounded the critics by outslugging his youthful foe. He crowded Joey into the ropes and exchanged punch for punch, Michaels finally being the first one to call it quits by falling into a clinch.
Mickey also won the fifth by a fair margin. He outpunched Michaels throughout and forced the milling from start to finish of the round. Joey got in his best work in the sixth. He opened with a vicious left hook to Mickey’s head which packed enough power to make the little Italian wobble for an instant. Joey closed in and sent two lefts to the body and then got in three right uppercuts to Blair’s jaw, the last punch bringing the claret from Mickey’s lips.
Joey Rocks Mickey In Sixth
Blair looked a trifle worried when Referee Smith parted them, but took the initiative by throwing a light right into Joey’s ribs. The latter, however, sensing that he had hurt Blair, countered with a right and left to the head before they went into another clinch. Joey then made Mickey’s head bob back and forth with four or five more uppercuts shortly before the gong ended the period, Blair appearing to be pretty tired when he went to his corner.
But that was Joey’s first and last flash of the night. Mickey came out refreshed at the start of the seventh and worked fast enough to win the round with plenty to spare. The final session was the slowest one of the bout. Both boys were played out from their earlier exertion, but Michaels was wearier than Blair. Joey didn’t land a punch in the last round, and while Blair didn’t do much damage, he sent home enough light punches to gain the period.
It was a good fight, and Blair set at rest the rumors that he has slipped by fighting one of the best fights of his career. The defeat didn’t dim for Michaels for he was fighting after the old last night and the showing means that Joey gave his best and with a few more fights under his belt may give Blair a better fight when they meet again. Blair weighed 133½, while Michaels was one pound heavier.
Morris Displays Punching Power
Despite the fact that the semi-final didn’t last two minutes, Morris showed enough in that short space of time to convince the fans that he is a great hitter. He didn’t waste any time when the gong sounded, but went about his task of stowing away Currie in a business-like fashion. He jammed the Philadelphian into a neutral corner and let fly with both hands to the head and body until Curry halted his attack by grabbing him around the waist.
After the break, Morris again crowded Willie into a neutral corner and then drove his left to the stomach with such force that Currie went down like a shot. It looked like the end for Willie squirmed in pain, but he was game and regained his feet at the count of nine. Morris tore in to finish him, but Currie managed to bore his way into a clinch. But that was the last chance he got to hold. After Smith parted them, Frank planted a couple of light rights to the head and then, like a bolt from the blue, banged his left to Currie’s stomach. That was the end of the scrap.
Boots Wins an Argument
Boots made short shrift of Woods who announced before the fight that Boots wasn’t so “hot” and that he’d take him early. Boots took exception to Woods’ remark and stated that he’d knock Woods kicking in the first round. Boots won the argument. He started both hands going as soon as the gong rang and Woods hit the floor from a hard right which landed on his left eye. When he arose the blood was streaming down his face and before Boots could clout him again he dropped to his knees. He took three straightened up and was going through some hostilities, but Referee Walters took one look at the gash over his eye and halted the fuss.
The Kelly-Buck tussle was a mighty close affair but there wasn’t a thrill in the fuss. Kelly, a right-hander, beat Buck, a left-hander, to the punch because the National Park lad entered the ring with a damaged left hand. Still we gave Buck the edge for his aggressiveness. According to our score card, Buck won the second, fifth and sixth rounds. Kelly the third and fourth, while the first was even. Then again, Kelly fared in the last rounds, while Buck hadn’t suffered any damage from the right uppercuts registered by Kelly in the early rounds.
Collins Is Very Poor Actor
Collins’ “diving” act in the first bout was the crudest thing that ever has been witnessed in a local ring. O’Donnell, one of the most promising featherweights in the east, hit too hard for him, so he took the easiest way out. Joe hit him with two lefts to the head shortly after the round opened, and Tommy looked ready to quit after the second punch. He must have felt the shot was too early, for he sleep for a few seconds more. Then O’Donnell fooled around the ring and then hit him on the top of the head with a light right. That was Tommy’s cue to hit the deck. He didn’t need a prompter, too he collapsed as if he had been hit by lightning. He took the full count while lying flat on his face. It was a vile performance, but Tommy will not receive a nickel for his acting.
Leon Lucas, who won the National A.A.U. light heavyweight championship by knocking out four opponents on the layouts for the American Olympic boxing team at Boston early this week, was introduced to the ring. Lucas will represent the United States on his distances at the Olympic Games, which will be held at Amsterdam in July.
Classified Ad — Lost Wallet Items
Camden Courier-Post —
WILL the finder please return the Sergeant’s Registration card, driver’s license and police courtesy cards that were in his wallet and lost Wednesday night? Reward. Return Sergt. Ray Smith, City Hall, or 31 N. 25th St., Camden.
Injured En Route to Baer-Schmeling Fight
Camden Courier-Post —
Showing the Same Grit That Carried Him Through France
Camden Courier-Post —
Showing the same grit and determination that carried him through battle-scarred France and then on to heavyweight heights, Sergeant Ray Smith attended the Battle of the Maxies in New York last Thursday… And with a broken back… The Sergeant had to bribe an attendant in a New York hospital to get his clothes for him so that he could get to the affair… And was there, gritting his teeth to hold back the pain, cheering his old friend Jack Dempsey’s initial go as a big-time promoter…
Hundreds Honor Mrs. Ellen D. Ryan
Camden Courier-Post —
Funeral Services Will Be Held at Penn Street Home at 2:30 P.M.
Hundreds paid a final tribute last night to Mrs. Ellen Dougherty Ryan, 79, whose funeral will be held at 2.30 p. m. today at her late home, 312 Penn Street.
Floral expressions of sympathy arrived all yesterday afternoon and last night from scores of friends of the family until two rooms were banked with flowers.
The pallbearers will be William E. “Wid” Conroy, former big league baseball player, Frank “Sis” Clouser, former ball player, Maurice Holler, Police Lieutenant William “Dutch” Padgett of Haddonfield, former ball player, Henry C. Beck and Sergeant Ray Smith, Courier-Post newspapers.
Rev. Dr. George H. Hemingway, former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will conduct the services and burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Mrs. Ryan, a widow 20 years, was the mother of Frank H. Ryan, managing editor of the Courier-Post Newspapers; Thomas H. Ryan, sports editor of the newspapers; Edward Ryan, George R. Ryan, Mrs. Mary Shivers, Miss Anna W. Ryan and Miss Esther Porter Ryan. There are also four grandchildren and two surviving sisters. Mrs. Sue Davis, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Jane Somers, of Philadelphia.
Ray Smith Thinks Sharkey Will Win on Square Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Says All Carnera Publicity Is Ballyhoo and Ex Gob Will Lace ‘Ambling Alp’ to Avenge Death of His Pal, Ernie Schaaf
By SERGEANT RAY SMITH
Who will win tonight?
Will Sharkey retain the heavyweight crown when he and Primo Carnera meet at the Madison Square Garden Bowl in Long Island? Or will the gigantic battler from Italy, take the coveted heavyweight title to Europe for the second time in two years?
This has been the main topic of conversation along the fistic rialto for the past few days now that the title contest looms so near.
The public has lost faith in the so-called experts. The fight fan of today has come to a realization that his opinion or yours is entitled to just as much consideration as the writers labeled as experts.
The sports writers of the country have already started the ballyhoo for Carnera to win. If he doesn’t win, the contest—and then it will just be that the experts have pulled another boner, and that’s that. When I read what the New York newspapers said of the fight, I reached the decision that I hadn’t been to the same fight. So much for experts.
Some have already started the cry that the fight is in “the bag,” that Sharkey will go in the tank. Somehow this writer thinks this a lot of hooey. It is true that many strange things happen in the fight “racket” in New York.
Sharkey Won’t ‘Bag’ It
But whatever happens tonight, your informer feels sure that Sharkey will be no party to anything that is not strictly on the up and up. Sharkey was a “gob,” a sailor for Uncle Sam. On his ships around the world, thousands of Sharkey’s fellow shipmates will lay every dollar on the line that the Boston man wins.
And the writer is willing to bet all the tea in China that Sharkey will not sell them out. Logically speaking, Sharkey has well invested all the money he needs. He has a mighty fine family, as the saying goes, he’s all set. He is whole-heartedly an American. He proved that when he joined the forces of the U. S. A. for maybe a paltry $18 per month.
He is an American at heart. When he climbs through those ropes to that ring he is America’s hope tonight, we think that two thoughts will be uppermost in his mind. One—keep the crown over here; second—that the ambling fighter who he will oppose is the same man who was responsible for the death of his pal, Ernie Schaaf. There is no use telling you of his ability. Sharkey licked Schmeling twice, despite the experts’ reports to the contrary.
Camden Bout Recalled
The writer saw both contests. The first battle I was accompanied by one of the best judges of fistic tests around these parts, Tom Ryan. Sharkey had so beaten Schmeling that we were both ready to leave the park, when the low blow giving the world’s championship to Schmeling landed. I saw the second fight, too, and Sharkey won by a big margin.
One night several months ago, Carnera met a “stumble bum” at the Camden Armory. All who saw it remember the hard time the “Ambling Alp” had to keep him on the floor.
He displayed only one thing, and that, plenty of size. Of course the experts will tell you how he has come along, but you can’t fool yourself. He has been on the floor on many occasions, proving that he can be hit. And somehow, when you see a giant as big as Carnera fold up from a punch, you wonder if all these talks about his marvelous ability is just plain “bunk.”
Sharkey will be fighting not only for the country of his adoption, but to avenge the death of his pal Ernie and the writer is banking on him to come through a decisive victor tonight.
Champions I Have Known
Camden Courier-Post —
CHAMPIONS I HAVE KNOWN
By SERGEANT RAY SMITH
Champions I Have Known: Joe Lynch
Camden Courier-Post —
CHAMPIONS I HAVE KNOWN
By Sergeant Ray Smith
Joe Lynch, bantamweight champion of the world.
One of the few boxers who regained his title after once losing it, Joe won the title from Pete Herman, Herman in turn won it back from Lynch, then Herman lost the title to Johnny Buff, Johnny won the title from Herman in 1921, then in 1922 in New York Joe won the title back from Buff by defeating him in 14 rounds.
Sort of a ring-around-the-rosy affair, but through it all Joe came through untainted, a man who won and lost on the level, a square shooter who always gave his best.
I met Joe in London, England, in December, 1918; he was a tall, lanky kid, modest to a marked degree. Despite the fact that he was a product of the lower East Side in New York he possessed none of the so-called “wise guy” proclivities.
Joe was America’s bantamweight representative “over there,” where he was defeated by Jimmy Wilde. Joe was not one of our original American boxing team, but joined us early in December in London.
Too Much Herring
One of the big laughs of the tournament was after we had gone to Chatham Kent to train, after our workout on the first day. Imagine our surprise to have them feed us herrings, a bit of jam and a lot of tea. After the second day Joe came to me tearfully and exclaimed, “Geez, Sergeant, how can a fellow make weight on this kind of food? Here I’m to make 118 pounds on December 11 and I’ve eaten so many herring and drank so much tea that now I weigh about 119½. What am I going to do?” I told Joe not to worry and as I have already told you in a previous article I immediately got in touch with General Biddle, commander of the London area, who saw that we received American food from the commissary.
Joe worked much harder and on December 11 came in at the required poundage. He made several good fights abroad and impressed the boys with his skill and sportsmanship.
Joe was not a knocker out. He seemed a bit frail for such an occupation, but he could box. He had a corking left hand and an original way of delivering it. Joe used to have a small rubber ball in his quarters, and whenever the opportunity presented itself, Joe would take wallops at the ball. I watched him one afternoon and finally my curiosity became so aroused that I asked him, “What’s the idea?” “This sharpens my eye,” replied Lynch, and believe it or not, from then on that small ball became a part of my regular training regime, and I found that if you were able to hit a small object like a rubber ball, you would not have so much chance to miss a bigger target.
Joe Too Modest
Joe was not a good salesman. He was entirely too modest. Eddie Meade (the fat boy) was the ballyhoo artist, and a mighty good man, too. He brought Joe along, and made him a champion. Eddie bounced back in the picture a few weeks ago, with a new heavyweight fighter, Perroni. As to Joe, I do not know what has happened to him. On June 29 I went to see the Sharkey-Carnera battle and while walking along Broadway I met Jack Sharkey, the former bantam weight. I then vividly recalled one of the greatest fights between little men ever staged in New York City. It was at the old Madison Square Garden in 1920. Joe Lynch and Jack Sharkey were the participants. They boxed 15 rounds like two Kilkenny wildcats, with everybody standing and cheering. They called it a draw. It was a great fight, and a great decision. When asked if he remembered the fight, Jack smiled and replied, “Sure do, I was sore for two weeks, and believe me, that Lynch boy can hit.”
Much water has flowed under the bridge since those days. And often on memory’s ship we go back once again to those glorious days where fighters were fighters and wrestling was just a side line.
* * *
I missed seeing a great fighter last Saturday when Frankie Klaus, the Pittsburgh bearcat, who made his headquarters at Harry Stahl’s (Young Starr) place on the Marlton Pike, Frankie passed through Camden and paused for a visit with his old pal, Harry, who is now a jailer at Camden City Hall. Harry himself was a mighty sweet lightweight, quite a few years back. Harry tells the writer that Frank is still in Braddock, Pa., managing a few fighters and doing pretty well.
Sgt. Ray's Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
Max Adelbert Baer, the Livermore walloper who engages Primo Carnera for the heavyweight championship of the world on June 14, arrived in New York Monday. Attired as a movie hero, his giddy grey checks, suede shoes and a polo coat knocked the sartorial experts goofy. Max worked right into the buildup with his boasts. “I’ll flatten Carnera sure on June 14,” he said. “That big guy is made to order for me, and he knows it, too! Why, I’ll hit him on that big glass chin of his and he’ll kick the bucket, the big bum!”
“All I need to take Primo is a good night’s sleep. I got his number when we were making our movie in Hol-
lywood, and he’s just a pushover for me!“
Surely the good looking Jewish boy is running Jack Sharkey a close second in his claims. And by the way, Max does not like Jack. “I’ll pay Sharkey $25 a day to act as my sparring partner,” Max said, when somebody mentioned the Bostonian, “and that’s all he’s entitled to. He’s fouled out too many times.”
It surely looks like a mistake to bring Max to New York so soon. He weighs 221 pounds and is far from being in good enough condition to meet the rough man mountain champion, who says nothing, and continues to stay in Maine where he is said to be getting himself in perfect condition.
Locatelli fought true to form and was victorious when he met Benny Bass at the Convention Hall Monday night. However, many rumors are going the rounds that Benny was not doing his best and that he is saving himself for a third showing before a ball park crowd. This may be so, and it might be a lot of applesauce, but it looked from where I sat that the Italian is Benny’s master.
Georgia Reed, the popular Haddonfield master of ceremonies who has a birthday on Sunday, has just received a card from Willie Richie. The card bore the postmark of San Francisco, where Willie has a large automobile tire store. Richie who was the former world’s lightweight champion and George are great friends. While he was still champion George and Willie appeared in a comedy boxing exhibition while both were trouping on the Sullivan-Considine circuit.
Richie won the world’s title from Ad Wolgast, the Michigan bearcat, on a foul in the sixteenth round. The bout was held in San Francisco November 8, 1912. Willie lost his championship to Freddy Welsh in a bout held in London July 7, 1914. The bout went 20 rounds and at the finish the title was awarded to the Englishman.
Many judges of boxing at the ringside claimed that Willie actually won the bout.
Boxing did considerably for Willie. As a youth he was tubercular, but through exercise and boxing he became champion of the world. He is now doing well in his old home town.
Woodruff's Support Asked for Ray Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
Mathews-Purnell Post, No. 518, Veterans of Foreign Wars, last night requested that State Senator Albert S. Woodruff, “New Deal Republican” candidate for state committee, endorse the candidacy of L. Ray Smith, “War Veteran Republican” candidate for Assembly.
“Whereas one of the members of our post, L. Ray Smith, a veteran with a distinguished war record, has filed his petition for Republican nomination for the Assembly.
“It is hereby resolved, that the Mathews-Purnell Post, No. 518, Veterans of Foreign Wars, does hereby endorse the candidacy of L. Ray Smith for the Republican nomination for Assemblyman from Camden county, and
“It is hereby further resolved, that Hon. Albert S. Woodruff, Senator from Camden county and candidate for election to the Republican state committee from Camden county, be urged to endorse the candidacy of L. Ray Smith for State Assembly position along with Herbert H. Blizzard and Clinton I. Evans.”
The resolution was made public by Perry J. Wark, quartermaster.
Woodruff Faction Endorses Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
Sergeant Lines Up for Assembly With Other ’New Deal’ Candidates
Sergeant L. Ray Smith, candidate for the Republican nomination to the Assembly, has been endorsed by the Woodruff-Verga faction of the Republican party, and the workers of that group now will seek support for Smith along with the other two Assembly candidates of that wing. Smith filed petitions as a “War
“Veteran Republican,” which designation will appear behind his name on the primary ballot. The selection of Smith fills the Assembly ticket of the Woodruff-Verga faction.
“It is an honor to join with Senator Woodruff and the ’New Deal’ group in their fight against boss dictatorship in the Republican party,” Smith declared in a statement. “The dwindling majorities of our party candidates attest to the unpopularity of the present leadership.
“If we would restore confidence in our party and give it new life, we must have a leadership that will obey the will of the people—not fight it in favor of the big interests.
“It is true that the ideals and purposes behind my candidacy coincide with those of the ’New Deal.’ It has been my pleasure to fight for tenure of rights for teachers, protect the rights of the veterans, uphold labor in its fight for decent wages and advocate the cause of the municipal lighting plant, which the people of Camden overwhelmingly adopted in spite of the opposition of the present political dictatorship. It is amusing to observe that Baird’s ticket has usurped the title, ’Civic Rights,’ as its slogan, when he has consistently opposed the electorate. I need but refer to his recent efforts to make it difficult for independents to run for office.
“Senator Woodruff and his ’New Deal’ group don’t merely preach. They are for a free, open primary— they practice it. I cannot say that goes for the Baird organization.
“I am grateful to my friends and to Mathews-Purnell Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, for endorsing me, for showing their interest in my candidacy and appealing for my endorsement by the ’New Deal’ group. I can only add that I will do everything in my humble power in behalf of all candidates pledged to a ’New Deal.’”
Sgt. Ray's Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
Mickey Walker the unusual.
Mickey Walker dubbed the toy bulldog, and one of the most pleasing fighters ever to appear before the public did the unexpected the other night, and won from that unorthodox boxer Max Rosenbloom. Mickey is 33 years old. He was born July 13, 1901, at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and has been boxing for fifteen years. He started in 1919.
Mickey had for a manager Jack Bulger and they were very close friends until Jack’s death a few years ago. During the past few years Mickey has been under the management of Jack Kearns, the man who discovered and made Jack Dempsey. Mickey won the world’s welterweight title from Jack Britton November 1, 1922, in New York City after 15 rounds. He won the middleweight crown from Tiger Flowers in ten rounds December 3, 1926, after losing the welterweight title to Pete Latzo on May 20 of the same year.
Mickey for a long time had a fine home in the Oranges where he did considerable entertaining. Beauties of the screen were Mickey’s weakness and many were the celebrities who were entertained by him and “Doc.” Mickey never took training very seriously, and could do his best fighting with a hair cut and a shave.
Since going to the coast Mickey has been taking the boxing game seriously, and he has turned in some fine victories. His latest win over Slapsie Maxie leads me to believe that he is perhaps once again on the comeback trail.
With two championship battles scheduled in New York, boxing begins to look up in the big town. The first bout featuring the welterweight champion, Jimmy McLarnin, and Barney Ross, the lightweight boss, is scheduled for the latter part of May. Both boys are now in the midst of strenuous preparation for the battle.
In June for the Mrs. William Randolph Hearst milk fund, Primo Carnera, the heavyweight champion,
and Maxie Baer are scheduled to exchange wallops. Both fighters have aroused considerable interest. In the McLarnin-Ross battle it is an Irish battler pitted against a Jew. This sort of rivalry always arouses great interest in the metropolitan city.
The same appeal is felt in the Car-
nera-Baer bout, the champion is an Italian, while Max is of Jewish extraction.
Both Jimmy and Barney have shown that they have the goods and are the greatest mittmen in their division at the present time.
Maxie showed that he can punch when he knocked out the former heavyweight king, Max Schmeling. I did not think so much of Carnera until he won from my pal, Tommy Loughran. After seeing the pictures of the Miami battle, I am convinced that the Man Mountain from Italy has developed into a mighty dangerous fighter and will be a hard man for any one to lick.
No, I am not attempting to pick a winner yet. All four fighters are good and two rip-snorting battles are bound to result. And I hope to see you at the ringside.
Sgt. Ray's Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
Believe it or not, down in the nation’s capitol boxing will be directed by a unique commission. Not one of the three officials has ever been affiliated with the boxing game, and only one of them is a boxing fan.
Major Lucian Vandoren, the chairman, is a lawyer, Georgetown graduate and World War veteran. He is 38 years old. Major Earnest W. Brown, superintendent of the District of Columbia police, is a member. It is required that a member of the police department be a member of the official group. Fred W. Bucholz, a wealthy hotel owner and a fight fan of long standing, is the third member of the commission.
Major Harvey L. (Heinie) Miller, former flyweight champion of the navy, one time sports editor of the Washington Herald, fight promoter, referee of college bouts and at present editor of the Coast Guard Review, is the secretary.
It is an outstanding commission. Not one member has any political tie-ups. They start without any tie-ups in the game that might bias them in any decisions that they might make. It’s a good commission and its record will be watched by commissions throughout the country.
It is said that Stanley Ketchell, the former middleweight champion of the world, used to be able tell the round in which he would knock his opponent out. Eddie McGoorty had one of the best left hooks in the business. Kid Williams was the nearest thing to a perpetual motion machine ever seen in the ring. Harry Wills was one of the most perfect heavyweights ever to trod his feet in resin. Battling Mack had an even temper in or out of the ring. Frankie Conway and Joey O’Donnell, local boys, fought several world’s champions. Still neither was fortunate enough to win the crown. Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion, was, in my estimation, one of the greatest fighters ever produced in the ring game. Jeff Smith was one of the quietest of ringmen. He disliked bally-hoo, and even didn’t like to have his picture in the paper. Harry Lewis and Kid McCoy were two of the smartest ringmen, and both set many traps that their opponents stepped into to bring defeat. Joe Grim and Ole Anderson were, in my estimation, two of the toughest boxers ever to answer a bell.
I once asked Sam Langford, the great colored heavyweight, how far one should bring a feint. For the unitiated [sic], a feint is an imaginary blow. The idea is have your opponent lower his guard. Sam scratched his head and replied: “Well, Sergeant, sometimes you bring them to with cold water.”
A great fighter, Sam! I learned more in one bout with the old tar baby than I ever dreamed could exist in the boxing game. He could punch, and I have often pondered whether Dempsey could hit any harder. He hit me on the head and I had a headache for a week.
The one fight that I think would have been among the greatest ever offered to fight fans would have been between Jack Dempsey and Jack Dillon. What a fight, and I say it would bring back the million dollar gates!
Sgt. Ray's Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
The main conversation along the fistic rialto in any big town in America today is the coming championship battle in New York on May 28 between Barney Ross, the lightweight champion, and Jimmy McLarnin, the holder of the welterweight diadem.
It is said up in Ferndale, N. Y., that Ross is in tiptop condition and is just coasting along so that he can keep his weight up around 140 pounds. Art Winch, one of Ross’ co-pilots, said that his charge is best at 140. “He is as strong as an ox at that weight and has plenty of stuff behind his punches,” Art says.
“Barney, however, is still a natural lightweight and we have to build him up purposely for this bout. He can still do the lightweight limit any time he is called upon to do it.”
Reports from the Ross camp say that on Thursday he boxed two rounds each with Tommy Romano of Albany, Ray Napolitano, Al Cassimini and Phil Rafferty. Throughout the workout Ross contented himself with getting inside of left hooks and countering leads. Ross has developed a short uppercut used in close that seems mighty effective.
McLarnin is working out at Atlantic City and is said to be rounding himself into good condition at the “Playground of the World.”
Unless some one of the boys with plenty of money to invest bobs up, the two major baseball parks in New York will be dark to boxing this year.
Tim Mara who conducted boxing both at the Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds the past two years, told friends in New York yesterday that he would not exercise his fistic option on these parks.
This will give Taylor and Gunnis the premier promoters of Philadelphia an opportunity of staking some real big contests in the ball parks across the river.
King Levinsky, the Chicago fish peddler who has gained considerable prominence as a heavyweight contender, has been found in Chicago suffering from a nervous breakdown, or so ’tis said. The King was scheduled to trade punches with Art Lasky, the Minneapolis heavy, and did not show for the fight. Immediately a search was instigated for the fighter.
Mrs. Lena Levinsky, the King’s manager, ridiculed reports that he ran out of the match. “King is not well,” said Lena, “but will back to California for the Lasky fight as soon as he recovers. We left his boxing togs in California and as soon as he recovers we will return to the coast and prove to this Lasky fellow that he is no trouble.”
Sgt. Ray's Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
A real threat in the lightweight division has been found in Erie, Pa. The name of the new sensation is Maxie Strub, and in past performances he has proved that he has what it takes to make champions. Recently Strub lost a referee’s decision to Chuck Woods, of Detroit, but the Detroit Times, the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News claimed that the decision was unfair and that Strub won eight of the ten rounds.
In his last six fights Strub has won twice from Frankie Bojarski, Joey Ferrando, Wesley Ramey and Johnny Jadick, and then the fight with Woods that was counted against him.
Strub is being managed by Lester E. Denning, of Erie, Pa., and he is already making arrangements to have Strub and Woods meet in a return engagement.
Al Rosenheck, Amateur Boxing Commissioner of New Jersey, has made amateur boxing the popular sport it now is in South Jersey. Through Rosenheck’s efforts amateur boxing was revived at the Moore Home and several amateur champions were discovered. Many of these champions and near champions display their wares each Friday night at Dr. Ethan Lang’s boxing shows at Charley Grip’s Pennsauken Arena.
Lew McFarland, one of the toughest lightweights ever to trod his feet in resin, is again going to try his hand at promoting boxing shows. Lew will devote his time and energies to developing local talent, and according to Lew each card will present at least one neighborhood battle. Lew’s new club will be known as the Golden Gate A. C. and will hold shows each Monday night at Charley Grip’s Pennsauken Arena. According to Lew his first show will be held August 19 and will feature several outstanding lads from Camden and vicinity.
Reports say that Danny Nichols, the sensational amateur fighter from Merchantville, will quit the simon pures and fight his first professional battle on the card Lew has arranged for August 19.
Sgt. Ray's Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
“Can Joe Louis take it?”
This is one question that is of paramount interest to boxing followers. Louis has in past performances proved that he is a mighty cool, collected mittman under fire, but in none of his contests has he been compelled to stand up and fight back after receiving a great deal of punishment. Joe has proved that he can hand out punishment, but what will his reaction be if he is on the receiving end?
Undoubtedly this question will be definitely answered this month when [continues in sgtraysmith-080435-2.jpg]
Louis and Kingfish Levinsky collide in a battle out in the West. Levinsky is a most unusual fighter, that is better expressed by the words of Frankie Conway, “You never know what the Kingfish is going to do next.”
Meeting the type of fighter that the Kingfish represents will in my estimation be a real test for Louis. Boxing of course is a business. A boxer of the orthodox type responds to feints and various boxing charges in a certain manner. The experienced boxer more or less expects such actions and prepares to thwart them accordingly. Levinsky does not respond to any manner of orthodox boxing. You feint him into a left lead, and he is just as likely to punch you on the top of the head with an overhand loop.
So in meeting a man of the type of Levinsky, I am sure that somewhere in the battle Levinsky will land one of his unorthodox punches that will hit Louis on some sentitive part of his anatomy. Then perhaps the question will be answered of whether Joe can take it.
Sgt. Ray's Corner
Camden Courier-Post —
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
On Monday night at the Pennsauken Circle there will blaze in large electric lights the name “Golden Gate A. C.” It will be another venture to revive boxing hereabouts by that pudgy little chap, Lew McFarland. Failure has been Lew’s lot in the past, but he is trying again, convinced Camden and places hereabouts will support a fight club.
“There are plenty of fans around here who want fights,” said Lew. “Well, I’m going to give them real fighting shows, no sucker matches, no big names, but honest to goodness fights. That’s what the public wants and that’s what I am going to give them.”
Lew has a number of well known locals in his first show. For the wind-up he has secured Ted Borman formerly of Kensington now making his home in South Camden. Opposed to Boreman will be Calvin Reed, the Philadelphia colored battler who is rated as a mighty good lightweight.
The “killer instinct” in referring to any fighter has always made good copy. It is the same kind of copy, together with his manner in the ring, that is making Joe Louis one of the present ring sensations. That cold merciless stuff has the fans all excited, and so whenever Joe Louis is scheduled to appear, you can rest assured that the show will be a sell out.
The crowds still wonder if Joe can take it. If he continues to bowl them over as he has done in the part [sic], no one will ever know if he can take it or not. The answer is simple. He just doesn’t have to take it.
Of course in meeting Baer he will meet a real outstanding heavyweight, a man who can hit, a man who can take it, and a man whose value as a fighter has been proven. After the terrible showing in the Braddock battle many fans are already going on record and sawing [sic] that Louis will knock Baer out in jig time.
But one thing the fans can bank on. When Maxie enters the ring he will not be beaten before he starts, as have many of Joe’s opponents in the past. Maxie Baer when in condition can fight. He has proven that in the past. After his battle with Louis, the fans will be able to determine just how good Joe can fight.
It will be the turning point in the sensational career of Joe Louis. If he wins, nothing can keep him from the championship. If he loses he will be just another hope strewn along the pugilistic highway.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter
Camden Courier-Post —
If the advance interest displayed in the coming Baer-Louis fight means any thing, it surely will draw a million-dollar gate. My mail is filled with those who desire to go on record for either Baer or Louis. One interesting letter is from a lad who years ago acted as a sparring mate for Tommy Loughran, and who compiled a nice record for himself in the boxing profession under the name of Harry Grant. Harry’s right name is Harry Grinnan. He tells me he is a Jersey farmer and is located at the Echowood Farms, near Elmer.
Regarding the Louis-Baer fight, Harry says, “Baer realizes that he has lost the confidence of the boxing public bcause [sic] of the terrible battle he waged against Braddock. However, he is now out for vindication, and when he gets into the ring against Louis, he will be right mentally and physically, and above all his hands will be in perfect condition. You can say for me that when the smoke of battle has cleared, Maxie Baer will be the winner of the Louis bout and will again gain his heavyweight title.”
* * *
“What did you think of the fight Monday night?” Frankie Conway, the great little bantamweight boxer, asked me this question, referring to the Ettore-Haynes bout.
“It was a mnghty [sic] swell fight,” I answered.
“It was a mighty swell fight,” I Frankie [sic], “but I think that if Ettore had steadied himself a bit in the clinches and landed harder punches he might have knocked Haynes out. The flashy work of Haynes was discounted by the effective short right-hand punches that Ettore landed in close.”
We went over the fight round by round, Frankie pointing out to me the things that he thought Ettore had done wrong. And when I was ready to leave it was hard for me to realize that I had been talking to a blind man. But Frankie despite the fact that he lost his eyesight several years ago, still goes to fights with his pal, “Skilly,” who tells Frankie the blows as they are struck and scores them. Frankie’s memory is remarkable, and long afterwards he can go over the fight round by round just as though he saw the punches himself instead of having them relayed to him by a friend.
* * *
Ted Borman, the Camden lad who meets Calvin Reed in the windup arranged by Lew McFarland, is a mighty sweet little puncher, a fighter who can come back and win even after he has taken a trouncing.
Down in Wildwood several years ago I refereed a bout in which Borman took part. Borman was behind in the first part of the contest, but by a great display of courage came back and rightfully won the decision. However, in Reed he will be meeting a smart fighter, a boy who has met the world’s best and always acquitted himself in great shape. It should be a great battle on Monday night, and it will be mighty hard to pick the winner until the last bell rings.
Sgt. Ray's Corner — In Defense of 'Punch-Drunk' Fighters
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Corner
“Punch-drunk” is a term applied to members of the boxing profession who have during their service as a “knight of the padded mitts” absorbed a wee bit more than their share of punishment which causes them to lag in their gate and become incoherent in their speech. But in defense of those who are labeled “punch-drunk” I would say a word. The stigma placed against the names of many former fistic warriors by persons whose mentality does not itself rate very high often causes an erroneous idea to be formed by [. . .] the person involved.
While Boxing Commissions protect the boxing public as well as the fighter, there is very little possibility of a boxer’s becoming “punch-drunk.” No bout under the supervision of a commission would permit a boy to be beaten so badly that his mentality would become affected. In the second place a thorough physical examination by a competent physician named by the commission prevents a boy entering into a boxing bout without being in superb physical condition.
Under proper supervision such as boxing has enjoyed for the past 10 years, there are very few fighters whose health or mind has been affected by punishment absorbed in the ring. True, a few of the old-timers are walking on their heels as a result of terrific beatings absorbed in battles before the day of the commissions.
But today with the protection offered by state boards it is very unlikely that a boxer will become punch-drunk as the result of beating absorbed while in the squared circle.
Jealousy is often responsible for persons whose education does not extend beyond the third grade, passing along information that this fighter or that one is punch-drunk, when the truth is that the person making the remarks would have some difficulty in passing a third grade grammar school education.
The late Will Rogers, a grand fellow and a real friend of the writer’s once said that many of the so-called elite thought the word “ain’t” had no place in the vocabulary of any American. Will’s come-back which squelched the so-called “wise guys” was:
“Wal all I know is that a lotta people who ain’t sayin’ ‘ain’t’—ain’t eatin’!”
And so this might be sort of a warning against people who do not rate so high themselves, making remarks behind the backs of ex-fighters who are their mental and physical superiors.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter
Camden Courier-Post —
The coming big fight between Maxie Baer and Joe Louis goes to the big town. That is the big eastern town, New York. Those of the West feel that the real big town of the universe is Chicago. But when the big town of the East and the big town of the West started bidding for this fistic affair, well the East won, and that is as it was expected. The bout will without a doubt draw close to a million dollar gate. And from all indications it will be a—fight. Maxie is taking the matter of training very seriously, for in this contest Max figures that he will be back in line for the championship. Joe Louis has proved a real threat. He has mounted every obstacle that has been placed before him in his quest for a title bout. Every win he has registered has been in a most impressive manner. There is only Max Baer standing between him and a crack at the heavyweight title now perched precariously upon the brow of James J. Braddock. In this battle both fighters will be at their very best, both boys will be leveling and trying to win from the very first bell. It will indeed be a great contest from the spectators’ viewpoint. And for once and for all the question whether Joe can take it or not will be answered.
* * *
Lew (Roly-Poly) McFarland, having won last Monday with a fine set of slam bang battles, goes to the post on Monday next with a card of hair-raising battles. The feature bout brings what is dear to the hearts of fistic fans hereabouts—a heavyweight mill. The boys who will try to annihilate one another are Jersey Joe Walcott of Merchantville and Lew Alvo of Spain. While Spain is noted for its “bull throwers” McFarland says that Alvo is the real McCoy, is fast as lightning and hits like a Dempsey—What more can be said?
Elks to Stage Camden Rodeo
Camden Courier-Post —
Elks to Stage Camden Rodeo For Krippled Kiddies Benefit
Western Performers Sign Contract With Fraternal Group; Program Scheduled for Early Fall; Committee Seeks Site
“Ride ’em, cowboy!”
And bring western thrills to Camden. Oh, that’s all right. It’ll help the crippled children protegees of the Camden Lodge of Elks.
Which is the idea back of a contract signed yesterday to bring Fred Beebe’s World Series Rodeo to Camden.
Beebe came from Texas to put his name on the dotted line with that of Carlton W. Rowand, exalted ruler of the Elks, and Sergeant Ray Smith, vice chairman of the lodge’s Krippled Kiddies Kommittee, which looks after the welfare of as many crippled children as its limited funds will allow.
The contract calls for performances of the rodeo here between September 27 and October 6 with a percentage of the proceeds to go to the committee for its welfare purposes.
Beebe’s World Series Rodeo first thrilled the East in 1926, with performances at Madison Square Garden, New York, when Tex Rickard was directing it, and at the Sesquicentennial Exposition, Philadelphia.
The rodeo features “bulldogging,” bronco bareback riding, rope spinning, trick and fancy riding, trick and fancy roping, and all the other stunts of the Western plains.
In these events the pick of cowboy and cowgirl riders compete for prizes.
Beebe said it is probable that one of the competitors will be “Shorty” Ricker, champion steer wrestler, who set up a world’s record of 7½ seconds at Madison Square Garden in 1926.
Rud Preisendanz, Jr., chairman of the Kripple Kiddies Kommittee, who is ill, requested Sergeant Ray Smith, as vice president, to act in the arrangements for the rodeo.
The location is to be announced at a later date, Smith said.
Other members of the committee are Dr. B. Franklin Buzby, Arthur E. Morr, Leonard R. Baker, Charles T. Murray, Fred Caperoon and Charles L. Bowen.
Surrogate Frank B. Hanna, Albert E. Burling, candidate for the Republican nomination as State Senator, and Dr. Henry J. Schireson have been named honorary members of the committee.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter
Camden Courier-Post —
Boxers who serve an apprenticeship in the amateur ranks turn to professional boxing like a duck takes to water. This was exemplified on Monday night when the fans had the opportunity of sizing up the ability of two boxers who were fighting their first professional bouts. One was Danny McNichol who carved out a clean-cut victory over Jimmy Lynch. The other was Joe Mancuso, who looked like a potential champion in the workmanlike manner in which he knocked out Joe Frabbrizio.
The experience they both gained as amateurs helped them to conduct themselves like veterans instead of the novices that one would expect of fighters who were fighting their first fight. There is plenty of room for both amateur programs and professional boxing. The one needs the other, the amateur bouts give the boys the seasoning necessary to embark on a professional career.
Much credit is due Dr. Ethan A. Lang, president and chairman of the registration committee of the Middle Atlantic Association, and a student of the sport. Al C. Dr. Lang started the amateur contests that have met with such appeal to boxing fans. They are held each Friday night at the outdoor arena in Wenonah. Dr. Lang has taken hold of the amateur situation with an experienced hand. He has made many fine, even matches, and this has assured the patrons of boxing a fine night’s entertainment. Many of the boys first mentioned by Dr. Lang may be the champions of the world a few years hence.
* * *
Once again the experts are claiming that Tommy Loughran is through, this because on Thursday night Tommy was held to a draw by Al Delaney. The bout at Buffalo. Delaney is described by sport writers as a young hard-hitting lad who tips the beam at 185 pounds. But the fact that Tommy was unable to get a draw is in my opinion a fine example of the ability of Tommy to gauge himself even in a short bout. The bout was of six rounds, while Tommy’s best work is done over the longer routes. Reports say the youngster got the jump on the veteran and he had to fight mighty hard to overcome the lead piled up by Delaney in the first part of the battle.
Sheer strength, and age are a big factor in winning short bouts, but its knowledge born out of experience and real class will tell. So instead of saying that Tommy is through I reserve judgment until these two meet over the longer route. Then one can really tell. The years have been and years have treated Tommy, one of the cleverest, finest fighters who ever trod his feet in resin.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter
Camden Courier-Post —
Tonight Lew McFarland, matchmaker for the Golden Gate A. C., has another rip-snorting show for fistic devotees. The double wind-up presents heavyweights. One thing the fans here go for is hard hitting in the heavyweight division. In the final bout, “Jersey Joe” Walcott mingles with Lew Alva of Spain. In the first half of the wind-up Jack Taylor, the giant U. S. Marine, meets Steve McGraw of Vineland. A great battle is expected.
It looks as though all roads will lead to the Pennsauken Arena where McFarland hopes to pack them in for his second boxing extravaganza. We’ll be seein’ you there.
* * *
On August 18, the Veteran Boxers Association held its first picnic at Clementon Park. Ted Gibbs the genial manager never having entertained such a flock of mittmen, took precautions. He discussed the event with Rosario Lucia, a mighty good leather-pusher a few years ago who boxed under the nom de plume “Kid Locke,” and is now police recorder of Clementon township. “I’ll bet you $10,” said Locke, “that there will not even be one fight.” “It’s a bet,” said Gibbs.
The affair was one of the most orderly ever held in the park, and on Monday Lucia was called into Gibbs’ office. “Well, you won,” said Gibbs, “whom shall I make this check to?” “Make it to the Veteran Boxers Association,” answered Lucia, “just a little contribution from me.”
“Well, if that’s the case,” replied Gibbs, “I’ll double the amount and send the Association a check for $20.” The association is now richer by $20.
“It was in the bag,” said Otto O’Keefe the secretary, “who ever heard of fighters fighting for nothing?”
* * *
To resemble an outstanding figure is oftentimes not without its embarrassing moments. A tall, broad-shouldered lad walked down Broadway the other night. He was followed by about 10 youngsters. When he arrived at Broadway and Stevens street the crowd had become so large that it looked as though it would take the police to escort the stranger. “Gee,” said one urchin, “Maxie Baer is in this building, I saw him myself.” The chap closely resembling the former champion came out and walked up Broadway and dropped into a restaurant. He was surrounded by autograph hunters. He kindly autographed each book and menu that was placed before him, but not with the name of Max Baer. Instead this chap wrote his own name, Ray Casper. Casper who so strongly resembles Baer is in the insurance business with offices in the building at Broadway and Stevens street.
Sgt. Ray's Corner — Dempsey Picks Baer Over Louis
Camden Courier-Post —
“Maxie Baer will win from Joe Louis when they meet September 24 at the Yankee Stadium—but he must be in shape,” thus spoke the great Jack Dempsey, when asked his opinion on the battle.
This came as a sort of surprise, as most of the so-called experts are picking the Brown Bomber to be victorious. Jack however is entitled to his opinion, even as you and I, and the fact of the matter, his opinion is worth no more. The experts rate form, condition, and age plus experience, but the unknown quantity—heart as courage is commonly called is a decided factor in determining winners of fistic contests.
Max in his battle with Braddock did not show the “stuff of which champions are made” and to many ringside spectators, it looked as though Max lost his title because he just didn’t seem to have the courage to keep trying when things were not going so good. Louis is without a doubt a greater fighter, but Joe has been so very good that his opponents have had a great deal of difficulty in handing him any punishment. So the question—Can Joe take it? has remained unanswered.
Max Baer can fight. No man reaches the top of the ladder without being able to both give and take it. Max has been on top. Perhaps he felt he was destined to stay there, and do what he liked. However Max has learned his lesson. He has found that late hours, and champagne parties are not conducive to the best physical condition.
Possibly Max has learned his lesson in time. The serious manner in which he is going about his training for the Louis battle would indicate that he has. Perhaps in the Braddock battle, Baer the supreme egoist, suffered such a hurt to his pride that he was just unable to cope with the determined veteran who relentlessly kept coming in despite the best efforts of Baer to repulse his attack. Braddock won the title, and I am one who is convinced that the fight was on the up and up. To my mind it proved conclusively that determination plus perfect physical condition can overcome the efforts of a “play-boy” champion. And at that time Max was just that.
Today Max is again trying the comeback trail, he is trying to retrieve that which he thought was his to keep forever. He is taking the situation very seriously. And I am sure that when he and Louis meet, the boxing world will know just how well Louis can fight.
‘Pepper’ Martin Institutes Sale For ‘Krippled Kiddies’ Rodeo
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Pepper’ Aids Elks Krippled Kiddies Rodeo
Cardinal Third Baseman Opens Office of Elks Committee at 215 Broadway; Star Greeted by Lodge Leaders
John “Pepper” Martin, star third baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals and idol of young America, last night came to Camden to aid the crippled children of Camden and South Jersey.
Officially greeted by a committee of the Camden Lodge of Elks, No. 293, Martin opened the office of Fred Beebe’s “World Series Rodeo”, at 215 Broadway.
The rodeo will open at the Camden ball park, Broadway and Everett street, September 27 and continue through October 8 under the auspices of the Krippled Kiddies Kommittee of the local Elks lodge.
Martin, long interested in aiding crippled children, arrived at the Elks Home where he was greeted by a committee headed by Carlton W. Rowand, exalted ruler of the local lodge.
From the Elks home they went to the rodeo office, where “Pepper” cut a ribbon on the door, opening the ticket sale. The committee welcoming Martin comprised Rowand, Rud Preisendanz, Jr., chairman of the Krippled Kiddies Kommittee; Sergeant Ray Smith, vice-chairman; H. J. Volmer, William F. Huff, Albert Austermuhl, Leonard R. Baker, Ernest Linder and Surrogate Frank B. Hanna.
John “Pepper” Martin came to Camden last night to open the office of the rodeo which will be held in Camden from September 27 to October 8 under auspices of the Elks Krippled Kiddies Kommittee. He is shown above in cowboy togs with ten-year-old Tommy Viskovitz, of 126 North Twenty-second street, one of the beneficiaries of the Elks aid; Carlton W. Rowand, exalted ruler of Camden Lodge, right, and Sergeant Ray Smith, left, vice chairman of the Kommittee.
Sgt. Ray's Corner — Is Loughran Through?
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Corner
Is Tommy Loughran through? Reports coming from Montreal where Tommy boxed a draw with Al McCoy, a French-Canadian ringman, would indicate the former “phantom” is finished as a top-notch performer. Reports say that the Philadelphia boxer was on the verge of a knockout on several occasions, and was battered in every round by his opponent comparatively unknown among the followers of fisticuffs. This apparent setback coming on the verge of a meeting between Louis and Loughran or Al Ettore in a Philadelphia ring surely does not do the “Ritner street” idol any good. Between Ettore and Loughran the writer is of the impression that Tommy would give the fans a much better show than would Ettore. This I attribute to Tommy’s greater experience in having met the world’s outstanding mittmen.
Tommy has already met Ettore and gave him quite a shellacking. This writer feels that in order to protect the interest of the boxing fans a contest should be arranged between Loughran and Ettore, the winner to be given the opportunity of meeting the “Brown Bomber.” Perhaps Loughran had an off night with McCoy, and maybe Ettore has so improved that he can completely reverse the decision that Tommy holds over him. Only a contest between the two can decide the issue.
Before either Loughran or Ettore is matched with Louis, a match should be held between Loughran and Ettore, the winner to be given the chance to trade punches with Louis.
This is the story of a local boy who made good.
Twelve years ago a youngster very much interested in boxing left Camden for the southland. He settled in Miami Beach. In the 12 years that have passed he has become a Municipal Judge and a member of the Miami Beach Boxing Commission.
His name is Daniel P. Galen who for years made his home in South Camden. Judge Galen is paying a visit to his home town. The writer talked to him yesterday and found that boxing is still very near to his heart. In discussing the boxing situation in Florida the judge said “Miami Beach is building a huge outdoor stadium that will hold 25,000 to 30,000 people.”
Galen revealed that the boxing law in Florida permits boxing shows to be held only under the sanction of the National Guards, the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“The boxing shows at present,” said Galen, “are being run under the direction of the American Legion, whose matchmaker is Captain R. Peoples, and they have given Miami Beach some cracker-jack shows. The new stadium will be ready in December and I expect many champions will perform in Miami Beach during 1937.”
Carlton Rowand and Elks Crippled Children's Committee
Camden Courier-Post —
Carlton W. Rowand, secretary of the Elks Crippled Children’s Committee, with his cats Amos and Andy, February 1936. Rowand worked closely with Sgt. Ray Smith on the committee for many years.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Braddock vs. Schmeling
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
The coming heavyweight championship battle between James J. Braddock, the titleholder, and Max Schmeling, the German ex-champion, has stirred many debates among fistic followers on the outcome of their battle in September.
Past performance means little at present in the game of fisticuffs. That fact was demonstrated in the last heavyweight battle between Max and Joe Louis. One point for comparison was the battles in which both ring gladiators had met the old man of the ring wars, Paulino Uzcudun. Schmeling had battled the tough man from Spain on two occasions; He drew once in 12 rounds and later won the decision in 12 heats. To form followers it looked very much as though Paulino would give the Brown Bomber plenty of trouble. To the contrary, the bout was just a workout for Louis, who knocked Paulino out in four rounds. This is mentioned in passing just to prove that form does not always count.
Those who saw the battle in which Schmeling won the heavyweight title from Jack Sharkey back in 1930, when he was on the floor and was awarded the decision on a foul, and those who saw the college boxer, Steve Hamas, pound out a decision over the Teuton in Philadelphia in 1934, were surely not impressed with the German’s ring powers.
It is to be regretted that the ring glamor that surrounded Joe Louis cannot be heaped upon Schmeling. But it works out that the fans, instead of regarding Schmeling as a superman, just regard Louis as a much overrated boxer who was built up with publicity and just couldn’t take it.
Many ring followers are looking upon James J. as an old man. The truth to tell, Braddock is just three months younger than Schmeling. Braddock has the much more impressive ring record, is a smart boxer and has a telling right smash that can send any man to the canvas when it connects. All of these facts indicate James J. will still be champion after the battle in New York in September.
* * *
One of the most modest fellows among the local fistic lights is Battling Mack. He had just won from a real tough fellow in a Philadelphia ring. The crowds were clustered around Mack, telling him what a great fighter he was. Mack surprised every one by saying, “I’m not so good, and if it wasn’t for the fact that my opponent was sick I would have never won.”
But Mack didn’t say that the reason his opponent was sick was because he piled so many hard punches in the stomach of his ring foe that any one would have been sick.
Tony Falco will give the acid test to Andre Jesserun, whom he meets in the feature bout tonight at the Dyckman Oval in New York.
At the Dexter Park Sporting Club in Woodhaven Bob Paster, who has been named as an opponent for Leroy Haynes, the Philadelphia Negro, will have his work cut out for him when he meets the tough Millville farm land, Billy Ketchell, in an eight-round bout.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Louis vs. Sharkey
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
When Joe Louis and Jack Sharkey meet in New York, later this month, methinks the “Brown Bomber” will encounter some real stiff opposition. Jack Sharkey is a much better fighter than he has been given credit for. He’s very smart, and has a punch hard enough to knock out any man with whom it connects. He is far from being a pauper, he has been doing pretty well with his finances since retiring from the fistic war. He has a tavern in Boston, that’s paying good returns. This is all said to establish the fact that it is not just money that causes Sharkey to return to ring warfare.
Jack thinks he can beat Louis, in fact, Jack has had that thought ever since Louis became a threat. Now that Louis has proved “duck soup” for Schmeling, Jack is more confident than ever that he can take the measure of the “Brown Bomber.”
A few years back, when Jack Dempsey was the champion and Harry Wills was hanging around the champion’s door, Jack secured a bout with the great Wills and gave him a great shellacking.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that bout and Sharkey is not as young as he once was, but the fire of a champion still burns in his chest, and he had been reluctant to hang up the gloves. A recent win over Phil Brubaker, the Coast sensation, has conveyed the thought to the former heavyweight champion that he is still ready to mingle with the best in the fistic business. In fact Jack still has visions of again copping the world’s heavyweight boxing crown.
A win over Louis will surely establish Sharkey seriously as a championship contender. And from where I sit, I’m kinda expecting the garrulous gob to pull the unexpected and win from the Brown Bomber when they meet on August 18.
* * *
Babe Wolf, of Atco, who himself was a mighty good mittman when he was throwing leather a few years back, is picking Jimmy Braddock to win from Max Schmeling when the two meet in September. This is the way Babe has it figured out. “Braddock is an Irish-American,” Babe says, “and he’s mighty proud of that fact. When he meets Schmeling he will be meeting a man who claims Germany as his home. Braddock wants the title of heavyweight champion of the world to remain in America. And don’t forget he’s a pretty good fighter, who I am willing to wager is good enough to take Schmeling any time the two meet.”
* * *
Senator Robert R. Reynolds, a mighty good amateur mittman, writes me from Mexico: “When we were held up recently I tried to cross my right on the bandit nearest me, but he countered with a gun that sort of dazed me, and I was good while he took me for about $500. I am about convinced that a man facing another, armed with a gun, has the best reason in the world to be good and do what he is told.”
The senator who hails from North Carolina never asks quarter in any kind of a fight. The fact that he took a punch at the bandit came as no surprise to the writer, who knows what a game chap the senator is.
Sgt. Ray's Corner — Louis vs. Brescia
Camden Courier-Post —
Joe Louis of Detroit in this corner. Jorge Brescia of the Argentine in this corner, ten rounds to a referee’s decision.
This bout to be introduced tonight at the Hippodrome in New York City, officially opens the Fall season for boxing at the large ampitheatre.
Five seconds later, nine minutes at the most, a number of New Yorkers will be leaving the big Hippodrome talking to themselves, wondering why they should have paid their good money to see the foreign importation.
It is indeed surprising that the New York Boxing Commission that has in the past turned thumbs down on some real battles, should permit the fiasco slated for tonight.
Brescia is a tall heavy lad who in the past year and a half has had only eight fights. He does not rate a chance at Louis, and if he were matched in Camden with our own Joe Walcott, I doubt if the match would draw more than $2000. I think the result would be the same so far as Brescia is concerned. I believe Walcott would knock the South American out quickly.
Yet tonight’s battle will undoubtedly draw five figures in New York—which proves that a guy named Barnum knew what he was talking about.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — A History of Middleweight Champions
Camden Courier-Post —
With a middleweight championship battle on hand, it is in order to survey the past monarchs of that division. The first one I remember was that great Irishman, Mike O’Dowd, a great fellow, personally. He was not a really great ringman, despite his courage and willingness to battle all the while. Then came Johnny Wilson and Bryan Downey, not much to talk about, as far as fistic ability was concerned.
Then came a really great middleweight, Harry Greb, of Pittsburgh. Harry was the type that gave every one he met plenty of trouble, and then Greb was defeated by the only negro ever to hold the middleweight title, Tiger Flowers, who also was a fighter of mediocre ability. Then on June 3, 1926, the greatest of the great, a real champion, annexed the crown, in the person of Mickey Walker, called the toy bulldog. Mickey is without doubt one of the greatest men to hold the title, since the days of the immortal Stanley Ketchell.
Then Mickey, unable to make the weight, resigned from the division. Tournaments were held to pick a successor. Gorilla Jones won the N. B. A. title, while Ben Jeby won the New York state tournament. Marcel Thil, of France, won from Jones, in Paris on June 11, 1932, and was generally regarded as the champion of the world. However Jeby was still the New York champion, and so regarded in many states, until August 9, 1933, he was knocked out in seven rounds by Lou Brouillard, who was then recognized as the head man of the middleweights over here.
On October 30, 1933, Vince Dundee of Baltimore, won the crown from Brouillard. Dundee lost to Teddy Yarosz, who in turn, lost to Babe Risko.
Meanwhile there was a coming youngster, Freddy Steele, who had piled up a number of impressive wins. Looking for easy money, Risko hiked west and on July 11, 1936, in Seattle, Washington, met Steele, and lost his crown in a 15-round battle.
On Friday night, the undisputed middleweight will be crowned for the reason that Steele meets in a 15-round battle, Freddy Apostoli, who in the recent battle of champions, defeated Marcel Thil, the recognized European champion. The winner will be the declared champion of the world.
Steele has been a most impressive champion. The easy manner in which he disposed of Paul Pirrone, in a Philadelphia ring, established him in the minds of ring fans as a real champion. He is game, he is cool, and punches like a heavyweight with either hand. At the same time, he moves around the ring with the ease of a dancing master.
These two have met twice before and Steele was the victor on both occasions. Many contend that Apostoli was a comparative novice when he met Steele, and has since come along in such a splendid fashion that he has a good chance to win the title.
I’m picking Steele to win, and freely label him one of the real greats of the middleweight division.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Camden Needs Boxing
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden is ready for a first-class boxing match. I have reached that conclusion after seeing hundreds trek from Camden to Philadelphia and New York, to watch contests in those cities. But Camden fans are not easily fooled, they know boxing values and can not be taken over, no matter how smart the promoter thinks he is. It is with that idea in mind that I feel Camden would welcome a good match.
As chairman of the Elks Crippled Childrens’ Committee, I suggested to William F. Huff, head of the lodge, that it would be a good plan to revive the boxing show started ten years ago. This is necessary to carry on the good work that the committee has been doing in South Jersey among our little crippled sufferers. Funds must be raised, for this year the committee will not receive a penny from the President’s Birthday Ball. The one means of securing funds, in my opinion, is a boxing show.
In the past, boxing shows held under the auspices of the Elks, have met with the approval of the boxing fans of this vicinity, and that is because we have always given the fans real fighting shows. A possibility for a show here is James J. Braddock. Joe Gould has already signified his willingness to have the former champion appear in Camden.
Tommy Farr, the much-heralded lad from England, who created quite a sensation in American boxing circles, by staying the 15-round limit with Champion Joe Louis, has started to train at Madame Bey’s Camp, in Summit, for his battle with Braddock.
But really, we had no intention of making so much mention of this, as we are to tell you that Tommy will have a tough time when he attempts to trade punches in a training match with Gus Dorazio, who meets Al Ettore at the Arena on Monday night.
Tommy will receive a lot of opposition from this 21-year-old lad from Philly. He is a cool, fast thinker, and punches well enough to hurt any man he hits. Tommy’s stocks may come tumbling down, especially, if he is hit on the chin, by Dorazio. Farr is a notoriously poor gym performer, while Gus displays plenty of class in training jousts.
A knockout punch delivered by either fighter would do much to ruin one of the scheduled boxing shows. At that, the boys will perhaps train together, but one day and, perhaps, no harm will come to either of them.
But when heavies start swapping punches, anything is liable to happen, even in a gym with heavy mittens.
Just to remind you, I am picking Dorazio to win from Ettore, and Braddock to win from Farr.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Ettore vs. Dorazio Preview
Camden Courier-Post —
The Louis-Schmeling battle will attract more money, but tonight’s contest at the Arena in Philadelphia is likely to draw one of the most enthusiastic audiences ever to witness a boxing event in this locality.
Two sons of Italy do battle, and to the winner, will go the honor of representing the Quaker City in future heavyweight jousts. Al Ettore, hero of many hard fought battles hereabouts, and Gus Dorazio, a comparative youngster, who has worked himself into the position of Philadelphia’s leading challenger, are scheduled to trade punches, over the ten-round route.
As predicted in this column, Dorazio handed Tommy Farr a thorough pasting, when the two worked out in a training session yesterday, at Madame Bey’s Training Camp. The 21-year-old youngster is, in my estimation, too young, too strong and too eager for victory to be turned back by the efforts of Ettore.
It should be a fine battle. Every one who has seen Ettore in action, has marveled at the stamina he possessed. He has met the world’s best, including the champion, Joe Louis. Courage is one thing he has, and it can be assured that everything he possesses will be thrown into the battle.
The semi-final has local fight fans excited, to a high pitch. It presents a boy who gave Ettore a whale of a battle in our own Convention Hall, some time back, Jersey Joe Walcott. His opponent will be Freddy Fidicia of Newark.
Fiducia, who it is reported, has lost only one battle out of his last 14 starts, is a slight favorite. But one thing that can turn defeat into victory at any time, is one of Walcott’s sledge hammer blows. He is one of the best punchers in the heavyweight division.
Walcott’s record has been an up and down affair, and tonight he is at the cross-roads of his fistic career. Meeting a pretty good fighter, right on his own doorstep, so to speak, the Merchantville lad should be at his best. Manager “Bill” Brooks says his protege is in splendid condition, and he is banking on him to bring home the bacon. I am pulling for a Walcott victory. The battle will be for eight rounds—or less.
Johnny Hutchinson meets Tony Fernandez, in another contest, slated for eight rounds. Another eight-rounder will be between Young Gene Buffalo of Philadelphia, and Tony Ciaccio, of Norristown.
The opening bout of six rounds will feature Billy Maher, and Billy Arnold.
* * *
Pat Patucci, the best looking lightweight prospect in South Jersey, has fully recovered from a cut eye, and is training daily at “Buzz” Grinnan’s training camp in Elmer. Grinnan expects Pat to start on January 21, at The Cambria Club in Philadelphia. Johnny Burns, the “Duke of Kensington,” is trying to persuade Frankie Rice, who recently battled Pat to a draw, to again engage the Port Norris mittman.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Braddock-Farr and Apostoli
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
The young-old men who astounded the boxing world back in 1935 by defeating Maxie Baer for the heavyweight crown, is again slated for action in the squared circle. On Friday night, thousands of fight fans, with their eyes glued to the ring at Madison Square Garden, will eagerly watch James J. Braddock who, at the age of 34, is again seeking to establish himself as the leading challenger for the title he lost to Joe Louis.
Jim will be meeting the present chief attraction of the heavyweight division, Tommy Farr, the fighter from overseas, who proved a sensation when he went the distance of 15 rounds with the champion Joe Louis.
Farr, a courageous youth, with a hide as tough as that of a rhinoceros, hopes to eliminate James J. and work himself into a position for another chance with Louis.
Many things of an unexpected nature may happen, when the bell clangs in that ring at the Garden. Many hopes have been blasted there while others have it as crowned “kings.” It’s the melting pot of the boxing fraternity. It is the same ring where a few weeks ago, Freddy Steele, middleweight champion left the ring a beaten and battered chap after a battle with Freddy Apostoli, who emerged victor, but not a champion by reason of the so-called “overweight match.”
Steele was a three to one favorite, and still he was licked. Farr is an eight to five favorite, but one of the biggest assets in boxing is the desire to win. Jim will have that. He will be fighting for those kids over in Jersey—and in my humble opinion, will step out of that Garden ring, bigger and better than ever with the second comeback of an eventful career.
* * *
Pat Patucci, the Port Norris farm boy, who has fully recovered from a cut eye, swings into fistic action on Friday night at the Cambria Club, in Philadelphia, with Frankie Rice, the sensational colored lad of Philadelphia.
Rice and Patucci are not strangers in the squared circle. In Bridgeton several months ago they fought a bristling draw that had the fans in deliriums of excitement. Patucci is rounding into condition at the Echowood Farms, at Elmer, training quarters belonging to his manager, Harry “Buzz” Grinnan.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Boxing Memories
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter, January 18, 1938. By SGT. RAY SMITH. Boxing memories from the early years of the sport in the Camden area.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Braddock vs. Farr Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
Somewhere around 10 o’clock to-night at Madison Square Garden two fistic luminaries will do battle for 10 rounds or less.
One will be James J. Braddock, the man who came from the relief rolls of New Jersey to win the most coveted title of all—the heavyweight championship. Opposed to him will be a lad from abroad, whose ring value went high when he battled 15 furious rounds with Champion Joe Louis.
I expect to be there with a prayer that the former king will stage a comeback or repulse the invader. And while all the boxing experts are picking Tommy Farr as a sure winner, I still dispute them and predict a victory for James J.
The prophesy is not wholly without a logical foundation in my mind. First, the distance of 10 rounds is in favor of Braddock, who is much the older of the two. Secondly, Farr can’t hit hard enough to knock your hat off. And I’ll say that in 10 important fights, Farr has not obtained the knowledge Jim possesses after battling the world’s best in more than 10 active years in the arena.
To offset any advantages possessed by Farr, I’ll take the one factor that should rule heavily in favor of the “Jersey Irishman”—his ability to hit. Jim hits hard enough to belt out any man, and Farr is no exception.
Another factor favoring Braddock is Farr’s willingness to carry the fight. Jim is a mighty fine sharp-shooter with his left hand, and Farr, at some time during the action, will prove a target for Jim’s right hand, and when that occurs, I’m thinking Farr’s chances of winning will go flying.
Another big advantage in Braddock’s favor will be his manager and chief second, Joe Gould, who has handled fights and fighters for the past 20 years. He knows Braddock thoroughly. He will know when Jim is tired and will tell him how to shorten his punches to win. In fact, Jim will have the advantage of four eyes. These two men have been associated so long that Jim will and does have implicit confidence in Gould. As soon as Joe telegraphs a message to Jim, he will sure follow it through.
A victory for Braddock will put the boxing business in a muddle, with James J. and Max Baer, both former champions, prepared to battle for the second time, to determine the fitness of either one to meet the winner of the Louis-Schmeling battle.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Ettore vs. Dorazio
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
By SGT. RAY SMITH
With 1938 still in swaddling clothes, many interesting boxing contests are already slated. One of local importance is the battle scheduled at the Arena, in Philadelphia, on January 10.
It will present Al Ettore and Gus Dorazio, and raises many questions. Can Gus, who is comparatively a novice, so far as experience is concerned, match wits and blows with the more experienced Ettore? Will the fact that Ettore gave Joe Louis a fine battle for four rounds, or the fact that on two occasions, he whipped Leroy Haynes, give Dorazio an inferiority complex if the going becomes tough?
Ettore has never impressed me as a great fighter. But he has one quality (and a necessary one at that) in his courage. He has never lost a fight going away. Always, he meets his opponent in the middle of the ring, and gives as good as he receives, as long as he is able. He displayed that in his battle with Louis. On the other hand, against Tommy Loughran, the old master, he looked like a comparative novice, and could not apparently, in the vernacular of the game, hit Tom with a handfull of rice.
After watching Dorazio in action, I regard him as a “plodder,” a man, who offers no spectacular wealth of ring generalship, or ability, but keeps on going, hitting at every opportunity, with one thing in mind—victory.
If Dorazio were to pit his ring ability against a veteran, who possessed ring finesse, I would have no hesitancy in picking the veteran as the winner. But in meeting Ettore, Gus will not be called upon to meet a man who has the skill of a Loughran nor the punch of a Dempsey. He will be meeting just an ordinary fighter, who has plenty of “moxie.” And, on that basis, I pick Dorazio to win.
The bout is indeed a natural. Ettore since the retirement of Loughran, has loomed as Philadelphia’s Number One ring representative. Dorazio is a youngster who has strength and the desire to annex the honors that have been Ettore’s. Al is just a bit washed up. The lickings he absorbed in his battles with Louis and Galento have done him no good. A veteran of the ring game, Ettore will have to be at his very best to meet the onslaughts of the coming youngster. It should be a fine battle.
In the semi-final, Jersey Joe Walcott finds himself at the crossroads of the fight game. This is Joe’s first fight before local fans for quite a few moons. However, he has mopped up many an ambitious heavy in out-of-town rings. Upon this fight depends Joe’s future, for he must win and in a decisive fashion to warrant the boosts of home-town fans.
Joe’s opponent will be Freddy Fiducia, who is rated a pretty fair mittman. But Joe, one of the best punchers in the heavyweight division, is in the best possible shape for the encounter, according to “Bill” Brooks, his manager. I look for Joe to win by a knockout.
The other matches present Johnny Hutchinson and Tony Fernandez; Tony Ciaccio and Young Gene Buffalo, while the opener will present Billy Maher and Billy Arnold.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — February 15, 1938
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
By SGT. RAY SMITH
I was discussing the fighters of today and those of other years with Babe Wolf at his place in Atco. “Yes sir,” said Babe, “Yi Yi Erne, what a fighter. Erne, Kid Beebe, Willie Fitzgerald, Grover Hayes, Billie Willis and I used to train down in Smith’s Gym at Eleventh and Washington avenue in Philadelphia. I used to work with Erne, and I’m telling you the lightweights of today would be duck soup for Erne. And Wilfie Fitzgerald was one of the hardest hitters of the welterweight division. You remember Grover Hayes? He was a grand fighter and that goes for Willis, too.
“But I also want to pass along a puff for my friend Kid Beebe. He was one of the busiest fighters I ever knew. Why, sometimes he would fight, and I mean they would be hard fights, three and four times a week. I still think his mark of over six hundred fights remains the record for any one man.”
“But while the type of fighters has changed, the manner in which a fighter prepares for a battle has also changed,” Babe said. “In those days we boxed six rounds, but that meant that you had to keep going, and going fast for the entire eighteen minutes. And how we trained. Every morning we would go out on the road, through Grays’ Ferry road, to the old race track, past the oil works for a six-mile tramp. Then in the afternoon we would work for a solid hour in the gym.”
“Yes sir,” concluded Wolf, “everything has changed, maybe its for the better, you trained hard for a six-round battle and received maybe if you were lucky a hundred bucks. Now you train very lightly, work eight or ten rounds, and collect anything from $5000 up. Yep, things have changed.”
Tony Galento has cancelled his engagement in Philadelphia on February 28. This must be good news for Willie Reddish, for he was the one named to exchange punches with the Newark “night stick.” Tony really has hurt his hand, according to word from his manager, Joe Jacobs, and will be unable to fulfill the contract made with Pete Moran, representing the Herman Taylor interests.
Moran announced he will substitute lightweights for the date. One of the battlers will be Pedro Montanez.
A letter from Jack Kearns, manager of Jimmy Adamick, the Michigan “killer,” says that Adamick looks better than Jack Dempsey at the same stage of his career. The youngster will show his ability to New Yorkers on Friday night when he meets Harry Thomas. If he’s only nearly as good as Dempsey, we are willing to vote him a champion in the making.
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — February 17, 1938
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
By SGT. RAY SMITH
“Doc” Harris, a modest little fellow who can be placed in the category of a “small business man,” was a pretty good mittman while doing duty “over there” with the 78th Division. He told me one of his experiences the other day at the Elks Club.
“I only weighed about 132,” said Doc, “and I was considered the company’s representative in the light-weight class. We were homeward bound on the S.S. Luckenbach, and I was without a sou. Now the Navy had a lightweight on board who was considered very, very good. And it was suggested I take on this lad in a ten-round battle, I was to represent the Army and he was to uphold the colors of the Navy. It so happened that after the match was made it became the talk of the ship. Bets were made and it looked as though I would land in New York with some money in my pocket instead of stone broke. I looked up my opponent and suggested he and I make a good fight. Nobody would get hurt and maybe we could stage another bout before we hit land. We had had an accident and drifted several days, and it looked as though we would have plenty of time.
“I talked to the lad, but he turned me down cold. ‘If I can knock you out, I’m going to do it,’ he said. Well, that was O. K. with me, so everything went along until the day of the match.
“The ring was pitched fore and the crew, plus the troops, ranged around the ring to see the battle. Incidentally the officers had taken up a large size collection and as the purse was to be divided 60-40, I knew I would get some funds out of the fight.
“I was considered pretty shifty and a fairly good puncher. But as soon as the bell rang for the first round I knew I would be called upon to do my best to keep from being knocked out. This sailor was good. He fought in a crouch, put his neck between his shoulders and just kept throwing punches. He kept crowding me and I had to step to keep from being annihilated.
“From the first round to the finish of the tenth, it was a biff bang affair with both of us trying every kind of punch we knew to knock the other fellow out. At the finish the cheers of the sailors and soldiers must have been heard back in France, and then the decision—the referee called it a draw—and also announced all bets were off. My opponent was a mighty good boy and he and I both felt the decision was a fair one, and none of the boys lost any money through any technicalities.
“The payoff came when we divided the purse. It amounted to exactly $560, and I’ll tell you $280 for a soldier who was broke was nothing to be sneered at.”
“Why didn’t you keep up boxing?” I asked him.
“It’s too tough a racket,” answered Harris. “I have managed a few boys, and box a little bit once in a while, but as for boxing as a career, I’m much better off with my little cigar store.”
Sgt. Ray's Chatter — Louis Will KO Schmeling
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray’s Chatter
Joe Louis will knock out Max Schmeling to retain the heavyweight crown when the two meet at Yankee Stadium on June 22.
That’s the Sergeant’s prediction. On that tip, perhaps, some of the bettors will be crushed in the rush to lay it heavy on the line on Schmeling. However, Louis is my choice and here are a few of my reasons.
Usually it’s a rule not to be too emphatic in predicting a winner. But not with me—I’ve stuck out my neck. Some of the boys who pick Schmeling, already are building up alibis in the event Joe comes through. Some writers are ballyhooing the “over-trained” bugaboo. That’s their out, in case they’re wrong. But let me make this clear—Max Schmeling will not be overtrained when he starts throwing punches at the champion.
Personally, I do not believe a man can be overtrained. Even were such a thing possible, it just couldn’t happen with an old ring general like Joe Jacobs watching every move of his meal ticket. A two-day rest with a bit of relaxation such as a trip to Ben Marden’s Riviera, or a ball game at the Yankee Stadium would take off that ragged edge and put the Teuton back in top form.
In some columns you read Louis is still and always will be a sucker for a right hand. More baloney! Every boxer is labelled a sucker for anything if he’s nailed by it once. Sure Schmeling nailed Louis with a right, had him goofy for 10 rounds before he could knock him out.
Careful analysis of that fight leaves only two conclusions in my mind—either Max is not such a great hitter or else Louis is tougher and gamier than I thought.
And right now I say, “Boys, you’ve got something there!”
That devastating punch Schmeling is supposed to have ready to unpack at the slightest opportunity is another of those legends built up by certain writers.
By measuring a punch on one of those bags in carnivals and parks I would wager I could register with my own right hand a score equal to that of Herr Schmeling. My reason for placing myself in the picture is just to show that a worn-out ex-heavy who once could punch, and still can, would in no way be entitled to a workout with the champion just because his knockout ability might merit it. I’ll bet our own Steve Martin, an up and coming heavy, can punch harder than Schmeling.
Perhaps I have torn down to some extent the opinion that Schmeling is a terrific puncher. That’s not my intention. I’m not saying Max cannot punch. He can! And so can anyone else that tips the beam around 200.
Let’s take a look at the German’s record. He didn’t do so well with Jack Sharkey, nor did he look like a superman with little Mickie Walker back in 1932. Neither did he shape up like a Tarzan when he lost to old Paulino, nor was he spectacular when Maxie Baer knocked him out on June 8, 1933.
Yet the reams of copy sent out daily from the German’s camp give the idea the old boy has imbibed from the fountain of youth. And don’t let anyone kid you about the vital part “Old Man Time” will play in this battle. That same old guy has reserved a ring seat for the show—in fact he’s even got a clinch on the corners.
Max is hovering around thirty-four and that’s plenty old for a mitt slugger, especially a heavyweight. Unless Max has found that fountain which even the old Spaniard, Ponce de Leon, sought in vain to get another fling at life, I can’t see how he expected to win over his 25-year-old opponent.
Time takes something indefinable from every human being. Some call it vitality, others the gradual tearing down of the cellular system. As the years pile up, it’s only human to think the resilency [sic] of youth still is with us. But when we need it, we discover it has gone. And while it’s true the mind is an important factor in winning battles, it’s the stamina that brings home the winner in the stretch.
Maybe Louis will be punch shy, but what of it? It would only slow up the contest. Surely, Joe, the possessor of a billion dollar title isn’t going to lose his head. And just because a few blood-thirsty spectators in the three-dollar seats shout for him to go in and be killed doesn’t necessarily mean he is going to do it.
Boosts Iron Lung Movement
Camden Courier-Post —
Joey Powell and Sgt. Ray Smith, January 11, 1939. Article: Boosts Iron Lung Movement.
Ex-Fighters Are Set for Charity Show
Camden Courier-Post —
Jersey Joe Walcott and Roxie Allen in Feature at Civic Hall Tomorrow
Present and past greats of Camden boxing will do their all for charity tomorrow night, when they appear on a card sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden, at the Camden Convention Hall.
Fifteen bouts of three rounds each are scheduled to be held, and the entire proceeds will be used to provide Christmas baskets for Camden’s needy. The boxers and referees have generously donated their services free of charge, and are to be complimented for their willingness to aid a worthy cause.
All 15 bouts are exhibition matches as most of the principals have been out of training for several years. However, they have done their best to get in pretty fair shape during the past two weeks and a number of interesting bouts should be presented.
Jersey Joe Walcott, still in active harness in heavyweight ranks, and Roxie Allen, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight but who retired two years ago, hold the feature spot on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in the eighth and final round of a scheduled eight-rounder.
However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights, scaling in around 185, while Allen weighed around 160. Although Walcott eventually knocked out Allen, Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the first round, a left hook to the jaw sending the Negro down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Allen quit fighting at this bout, but still is in good physical shape and should be able to box a fast three rounds against Walcott.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who made names for themselves in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest fights in New York in the past two years, while Mickey was of [sic] the best featherweights in the East about eight years ago.
Tommy Ricco, another South Camden featherweight, and Mickey and Johnny Duca, both of Paulsboro, are the other three boys who are active in the game. Ricco is due to appear against Mickey Duca, while Johnny Duca squares off against Al White, also of Paulsboro.
The veteran of the card is Battling Mack, one of the finest characters ever to enter the fight game. Mack fought the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War. George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Johnny Buff, Danny Kramer and Pete Herman were some of the boys Balling [sic] met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another South Camdenite who was a favorite with Camden fight addicts.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local reisdents [sic], are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the great crop of local lightweights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus MaGuire, Charley Mack, White, Lew Jackson, Paddy Lyons, Joe Spearing, and Johnny Attell were included among the group which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor in tomorrow night’s bouts. Jackson mingles with Lyons; Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who also fought the best featherweights in the East a few short years ago, and Attell clashes with Billy Marino.
Young Firpo, of Pennsgrove, is known to all South Jersey fightgoers. Firpo, a lightweight, packed a great left hook and his record is dotted with knockouts. He will take on Joey Allen, South Camden featherweight who never fought a slow bout and who never side-stepped a match.
Pee Wee Ross undoubtedly was the best bantamweight ever developed in this city. Ross fought ’em all 10 years ago and finished with a great record. He meets Bobby Zimmerman, another local product who also was a pleasing performer and who was known as the “buzz saw” because of his rapid-fire punching.
Nick Nichols, one of the hardest-hitting welterweights ever to hold forth here, takes on Tommy McCann, East Camdenite who had one of the best left hands in the city.
Lucas Vs. Straiges
Johnny Lucas, South Camden welterweight who still could go to the wars, faces Joey Straiges, also of South Camden, who also could compete in featherweight ranks if it were necessary for him to continue boxing. In the other bout on the card, Young Palmer and Tommy Dundee, former featherweights, clash.
Jim Braddock, former world heavyweight champion, is expected to be on hand to referee at least one bout. Others invited to referee are:
Sgt. Ray Smith, Harry Shaw, Tom Walters, Al Ettore, Joey O’Donnell, Mike DeLeece, Young Lawrence, Charley Harris, Bill McFarlane and Walter “West” Kennedy.
The committee in charge of the boxing arrangements consists of Caesar Campana, chairman, Dominic Lombardo, Daniel Gallasso, James McSparrin and Paul Daly.
Nearly 4000 Witness Old-Timers in Action
Camden Courier-Post —
Past and Present South Jersey Boxers Go Through Paces in Charity Show
NO DECISIONS RENDERED
By FRANK KOPESKY
They turned back the sporting pages last night, month after month, year after year.
And out of the staring type and paling newsprint stepped the images of youths who in their bygone day had their names blazed across the headlines for their prowess in the boxing ring.
With nearly 4000 in attendance, these old-timers and some who still are or could be active engaged in a program of exhibition bouts at Convention Hall to aid the poor this Christmas.
The affair was sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden.
Braddock Gets Big Hand
The feature attraction and a man who received a thunderous ovation from the gathering was popular James J. Braddock, former heavyweight champion of the world, who refereed the final two bouts.
Roxie Allen, of Camden, and Jersey Joe Walcott, Merchantville slugger who still is active, paired off in the windup with Braddock serving as referee.
They boxed lightly most of the way with neither connecting with any serious blows and the spectators were handed a few laughs when both boxers “picked on” Braddock in the last round.
Braddock Gets Hand
Braddock was given a great ovation when he entered the ring to referee the bout between Frankie and Mickey Blair.
Strangely the well-known brothers fought one of the hardest bouts of the night. Frankie, one of the best boxers Camden has ever produced, tagged his older brother with several stiff lefts in the first round. Mickey also got in his share of hard blows, although Frankie was the better of the two.
Lou Skymer and Battling Mack, of South Camden, continued fighting after their three-rounder ended. So Referee Joey O’Donnell scurried from the ring. Skymer had the best of the fight.
Spearing and Rapp Even
Joe Spearing and Frankie Rapp, both from South Camden, boxed lightly for three rounds on about even terms.
Johnny Lucas, of Whitman Park, who did considerably campaigning several years ago, and Joey Straiges, active South Camden lightweight, went through three fast rounds. Straiges had the better of the exhibition.
Young Joe Firpo, of Pennsgrove, and Joey Allen, of Camden, who retired from the ring not so long ago, fought a hard fight in the first round. Allen knocked himself down in the second round when he socked Referee Ray Smith in the stomach. They both pummeled the Sargeant [sic] after the final bell and the bout got a great hand.
Comedy Bout
The spectators sang the “Beer Barrel Polka” when Buck Fleming of the Veteran Boxing Association entered the ring. Bricks and horseshoes were dumped out of Fleming’s gloves before his bout with Joe Shannon, another V. B. A. entrant, began.
It was the comedy bout of the night, meant as such, and the fans went into near hysterics.
Tommy Ricco, active South Camden lightweight, and Al Daly, of Fairview, staged a clever boxing exhibition. Although neither landed any telling blows, the fast bout was a crowd pleaser. Ricco had the best of it.
The parade of overgrown lightweights continued when Eddie Chaney, of Whitman Park, squared off with Jackie Hindle, of South Camden. These two also got “mad” at each other in the third round and Hindle seemed to have the better of it.
Ceaser [sic] Campana, chairman of the committee, who fought as Young O’Connors years ago, paired off with Charley Mack, well known lightweight of a decade ago. After two slow rounds, they really started slugging and the bell halted a furious exchange.
Lyons’ Wind Gives Out
Kayo Palmer, of Camden, and Pat Lyons, of Gloucester, got along for two rounds, but Lyons asked for a short third session when his wind gave out. Timekeeper Dave Lambert cut the round to 30 seconds. Palmer dropped Referee Young Lawrence, who was saved by the bell.
A howl went up from the throng when Announcer Archie McNew introduced Lou Jackson, of Pennsgrove, and Al White, of Paulsboro, as former lightweights. Both massive weight lines and looked like heavyweight wrestlers. They went three rounds and received a great hand for their efforts. Jackson appeared to have the better of it.
Employing several body slams and a flying tackle to good advantage, Young Palmer bested Tommy Dundee in three rounds. Both are former local bantamweights.
Pee-Wee Ross and Bobby Zimmerman, a pair of excellent flyweights in their day, opened the show. They knocked each other “out” in the second round, Referee Joe Mangold counting 10 over the fallen pair. After rising the two Camden men resumed “fighting” much to the crowd’s amusement.
Early Donor in Aluminum Drive Hopes ‘Gift’ Will Be Sent to Hitler
Camden Courier-Post —
Campaign Opens Here with Distribution of Pamphlets on Details; Metal Collection Listed for Thursday at Nine City Centers
Editorial: “Pans and Patriots” appears on page eight.
Hitler’s anti-Semitic nation may receive a “gift” in the near future from a South Camden Jewish resident, but the Fuehrer will not send back a “thank you” note.
The gift may attain the form of aluminum bomber parts.
Last night the city opened its drive for old aluminum from homes for use in national defense work. Only pamphlets giving details about the canvass were distributed with the old pots, discarded pans and other outmoded aluminum utensils to be collected Thursday.
However, not to be late in handing in his donation, the South Camden Jew of German birth, who remains unidentified, walked into headquarters of Engine Company No. 8 at Sixth street and Kaighn avenue, his arms laden with old aluminum.
“Here, I want to give this aluminum to you now and not wait until Thursday,” the donor told firemen. “These pots and pans came from Germany with me many years ago, and now I want the United States to make something out of them to send back to that (several words censored) Hitler.”
Seized Cooker in Gifts
A Boy Scout’s pint-size cooking pan was taken into police headquarters by Norwood Greene, a Secret Service Agent, who said the utensil was confiscated in a counterfeit raid a short time ago at Wilmington, Del.
Greene was instructed by a superior to turn the pan over to the Camden aluminum drive. In doing so the agent had to request a receipt signed in triplicate from police headquarters since that is the required procedure in disposing of any seized articles by the Secret Service.
Beginning at 7 p. m. approximately 300 Boy Scouts, veterans and volunteers, began their systematic house-to-house canvass delivering the pamphlets explaining the drive and requesting contributions. The same workers will return Thursday to pick up whatever aluminum the householders care to give.
Anyone may take his contributed articles to any one of the collection centers. From the nine centers the aluminum will be taken to Fifth and Arch streets where a large wire enclosed bin has been constructed.
Mayor Heads Group
Mayor George E. Brunner heads the campaign as honorary chairman and William C. Schriver is general chairman. Heading a group of World War veterans engaged in the effort is Edward J. Quinlan. The veterans laid out the nine districts of the city for the collections. The Scouts are directed in the drive by Scout Commissioner Thomas Norris.
Schriver reported last night when the workers called at many homes the housewives had already collected the old utensils and had them ready for collection piled in boxes. The workers told the residents, however, the donations would not be collected until Thursday.
The nationwide appeal for gifts of aluminum will end July 29. Similar drive plans have been made in every community in the county. In many municipalities, property owners have donated the use of vacant buildings as collection centers.
The Camden city districts, and those in charge of collection, are:
First district, firehouse, Fourth and Pine streets, Leo G. Stephans.
Second district, fire headquarters, Fifth and Arch, Sgt. Ray Smith and Fred Vogel.
Third district, Engine Company No. 3, 1800 Broadway, Eugene Conlin.
Fourth district, Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden, Samuel Shapiro.
Fifth district, Engine Company No. 7, 1115 Kaighn, James H. O’Brien.
Sixth district, Engine Company No. 8, Sixth and Kaighn, Albert C. Becker.
Seventh district, Engine Company No. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal, Roy C. Adams.
Eighth district, Engine Company No. 10, Ninth and Morgan, Burnell S. Hartman.
Ninth district, Engine Company No. 11, Twenty-seventh and Hayes, Michael Mungioli.
Mrs. Carrie R. Bean, past department president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary, and Mrs. Anne D. Spooner, president-elect of the Camden County American Legion auxiliaries, have appealed to members of all county auxiliary posts of both organizations to assist in collections.
50 Volunteer Firemen Complete Training for Emergency Duties
Camden Courier-Post —
Graduates First of 500 to Be Trained by City for Huge Reserve. Similar to that in London; Defense Officials Praise Work
Camden’s first group of war and emergency volunteer firemen received their “diplomas” last night on completion of their training at the fire school in No. 10 firehouse, Ninth Street and Morgan Boulevard.
They are the initial volunteers to be trained as a reserve for the city fire department in an emergency. The volunteers, 50 of them, will be on 24-hour call. Eventually more than 500 men are expected to receive the training course for a huge reserve similar to the corps of firemen now being used in London.
The men range in ages from 11 to 59 years with Charles Smith, son of Sgt. Ray Smith, being the youngest, and Harry L. Freidel, the oldest.
The training course started May 12 and the trainees have attended three sessions a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, for seven weeks under the direction of Fire Captain Raymond Smith, no relation to the sergeant, who is director of the training school. Smith is a graduate of Class 56, of the Philadelphia Fire Training School.
Each volunteer fireman will be issued an identification card which will hold his fingerprints.
Class Praised
Among those congratulating the graduates were Herbert E. Harper, chairman of the Camden Defense Council; William C. Schriver, council member; Fire Chief John Lennox and Captain Smith. Howard Odrain, deputy chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department with 31 years of experience in fighting fires, attended as an observer.
“In behalf of the Camden City Defense Council, I want to thank you men for the hours and days you have put into taking this course,” Harper told the graduates.
“You have been prompt in attendance and have been attentive. We don’t anticipate any air raids or any acts of war-invasion, but we have an important problem in enabling national defense industries in Camden city to make load in their jobs.
“The sabotage committee of the defense council has been visiting the local industries encouraging the plants to set up their own fire fighting squads and many are doing so. You men will be needed in times of an emergency to aid these forces and to assist at industries where there is no fire fighting squads.”
Chief Lennox termed the volunteers “our second line of defense” and thanked them for their cooperation.
Training Complete
The course included training in all phases of fire-fighting from operating pumpers to climbing ladders and combating incendiaries. Rescue work also was included. The use of gas masks and asbestos suits in chemical fires, how to approach delayed bombs with snubbers and the proper methods of using extinguishers were taught. A demonstration was held outside the firehouse by the volunteers. Their activities included scaling ladders, using gas masks to enter a smoke house, climbing and working on the top of the fire tower, using an aerial truck, tying tools for the lifting to tools, working on the end of water lines, working on pumpers, hooking up to stand pipes, jumping into life nets, tying life ropes and using asbestos suits through flaming gasoline and oil.
The Class
The graduates included: George D. Wilkinson, fire marshal of the RCA Manufacturing Company, and his two sons, Ernest and George; Garfield Watson, sergeant of police at New York Shipbuilding Corporation; Lieut. George Hamilton, Jr., of the 157th Field Artillery; Captain William Hare, of the Kaighn Avenue-South Street Ferry.
Harry B. Thompson, Earl Denby, Lester W. Giberson, Norman P. Maull, Joseph Leone, Samuel Schuele, George P. Smith, Joseph Marchese, Nicholas A. Messaro, William S. Martz, William E. Doan, Elwood P. Martz, Jr., Clyde Getzinger, George W. Grove, Stephen Kirby, James W. McCracken, William Watkin, Manuel Weiss, Riccardo DiGiacomo, Louis Cimini, William P. Walter, Sigmund Yakaski, Nicholas Iacovelli, Robert Holmes, Walter D. Lohrman.
Myer J. Mutter, Charles Geitz, Charles A. B. Smith, Howard Doerschner, Harry L. Freidel, Franklin L. Wright, Paul W. Kessler, Warren I. Carter, Creston Polland, Edward E. Friant, Frank F. Shropshire, Charles Gall, Albert E. Pine, Nicholas Cerasoli, George W. Williams, Joseph G. Foster, Joseph Elliott, George Hance and Irving L. Stiefel.
Vets Launch Drive to Save Ambulance
Camden Courier-Post —
Sergeant Ray Smith Says $2400 Needed to Make Full Payment
A campaign to raise $2400 to pay off the balance due on an ambulance purchased recently will be launched today by Camden City Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sergeant Ray Smith announced last night.
Smith, commander of East Camden Post 705, said the ambulance is in danger of being repossessed by the finance company unless the council is able to raise the balance owed on the original cost of $3600 for the ambulance.
Smith was named chairman of the drive by Louis Naples, council commander, to succeed Joseph Marchione. The latter was complimented by Naples for raising the $1200 paid to date on the vehicle.
Smith, in revealing the ambulance is now housed in the municipal garage, said it was the intention of the veterans to present the vehicle to the city.
“We received a tentative offer from Mayor George E. Brunner in which he said he would try to have the city of Camden take over the ambulance and finish the payments on it,” said Smith, “but the council, although appreciating the mayor’s gesture, voted to hold the responsibility and wait until the vehicle is cleared before any presentment is made.”
Others named by Naples on the committee are Harold Paul Fox, vice chairman; Jules Jaspan, council adjutant, secretary; Lewis Webb, council quartermaster, treasurer, and Leo Stephans, Fred Mease and Naples, ex-officio, board of trustees.
Smith said because the standing of the V. F. W. will be placed in jeopardy if the ambulance is repossessed, a concerted drive will be made this week in industrial plants for assistance in paying off the remaining debt.
Naples learned Friday, Smith said, the liability insurance on the ambulance had lapsed and the council was unprotected in case of accident, and the commander immediately ordered the vehicle stored in the garage until paid for.
Ambulance Head Denies Removal
Camden Courier-Post —
Marchione Declares He Still Is Chairman of Fund Unit
A denial that he has been replaced as chairman of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Camden Ambulance Association by Ray Smith, commander of Post 705, V.F.W., was issued yesterday by Joseph J. Marchione, judge advocate of Camden County Council, V.F.W.
Marchione has headed the association since it was formed last September for the purpose of raising funds to purchase one or more ambulances for the public use in Camden. His statement follows:
“It is true that a meeting was held in the office of Mayor George Brunner July 25, but at that time no change was made in the chairmanship of the association.
“In order to clear up the matter, may I point out that I was made general chairman of this association at a meeting of Veterans and other citizens, and that in order to remove me as chairman, the Veterans of Foreign Wars County Council must vote on it at a regular meeting which will be held on Friday, August 1. The County Commander is without authority to remove the chairman of any committee, only at a regular constituted council meeting, and then it must be agreed upon by the delegates and alternates present. This is clearly defined in the constitution and by-laws of the V.F.W.
“In addition to that, it must be confirmed by the citizens committee who also have a great financial interest in the association. May I
Sgt. Smith and Russell Stoddard
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray Smith and Russell Stoddard, August 21, 1941.
Ray Smith's Wife Dies in Hospital
Camden Courier-Post — circa 1944
Ray Smith’s Wife Dies in Hospital
Mrs. Mabel Nash Smith, wife of Sgt. Ray Smith, newspaperman and boxing inspector, died yesterday in West Jersey hospital from a complication of diseases.
Their son, Pvt. Charles A. B. Smith, stationed at Fort Dix with the military police, was called to her bedside and arrived a few minutes before his mother died.
Mrs. Smith, a graduate nurse, met the former AEF light heavyweight champion when Smith returned to this country for treatment of wounds at the close of World War I. She was the sergeant’s attending nurse at Greenhut’s hospital, New York, and they were married shortly after his convalescence.
Shortly after coming to Camden with her husband, Mrs. Smith joined the Camden County Humane Society and became prominently identified with its activities. She was widely known throughout the East Side for her kindness to animals. During Winters she fed hundreds of birds which daily visited her yard.
Mrs. Smith took an active interest in her husband’s work as chairman of the Elks Crippled Kiddies committee, wrapping and preparing packages for the children. At the time of her death she was preparing to assist in the Crippled Kiddies Easter seal sale which opens tomorrow.
Surviving besides her husband and son are two brothers, Irwin and H. Walter Nash, Newark, and two sisters, Mrs. Mildred Clark, Haddon Heights and Mrs. Stella Gattman, Solvay, N. Y.
Funeral services will be held in St. Joseph’s church, Twenty-ninth and Westfield avenue, Saturday morning at a time to be announced. Friends may call tomorrow night at the home, 212 North Twenty-seventh street.
VFW Post Accepts Son of Sgt. Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
Pvt. Charles A. B. Smith, of 212 North Twenty-seventh street, now serving in England, was accepted last night as a member of East Camden Post, No. 705, VFW. His father, Sgt. Ray Smith, a veteran of World War I, is commander of the post and presided.
Also accepted into membership was David Ross, of 2724 Cramer street, now serving in the South Pacific. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ross and nephew of William Reeve, Jr., quartermaster of the post.
Samuel A. Dickson, chaplain and service officer, paid high tribute to Brig. Gen. H. M. Gilbert, director of dependency benefits, and the post directed a letter of commendation be forwarded.
Martin Bjeorklund was appointed by Smith as chairman of the installation committee which will install officers at the next meeting to be held in the newly purchased quarters of the post at 2808 Federal street.
Portrait of Pvt. Charles A. B. Smith
Camden Courier-Post
Pvt. Charles A. B. Smith, son of Sgt. Ray Smith, who was killed in action in Algeria during World War II.
Military Rites Set Friday for Cpl. Charles Smith
Camden Courier-Post — circa late 1944
The body of Cpl. Charles Augustus Bodine Smith, 20, who was killed in action in North Africa on July 29, 1944, will arrive here for burial Wednesday.
His father, Sgt. Ray Smith, former newspaperman and hero of War I, announced last night services for his son will be held at 7 p. m. Friday in the funeral home, at 2850 Federal street.
Services will be held at the funeral home Friday night by members of East Camden post, 705, VFW, of which the elder Smith is a past commander, and Cpl. Raymond C. Thoirs post, 47, American Legion.
Burial will be in Arlington cemetery, Pennsauken township, Saturday.
The youth’s father is living at the Charles A. B. Smith Home for Crippled Children at Erial, which he founded after the death of his son.
Corporal Smith’s father is the youth’s only immediate survivor. His mother, Mrs. Mabel F. Smith, died on March 8, 1944.
The Army veteran was a former pupil in Camden High school. He enlisted at the age of 17 and joined a Military Police unit.
Corporal Smith received his early training at New York and Ft. Dix. He was sent overseas shortly after the death of his mother.
His father, who enlisted in the Army before he was 18 years of age, served with General Pershing on the Mexican border and was among the first 50,000 American soldiers to sail for France in War I. He became the AEF heavyweight boxing champion while overseas. He later was wounded in three engagements and won the Croix de Guerre with palm, which was presented personally by Marshal Petain.
Grave Markers — Mabel F. Smith and Charles A.B. Smith
Grave markers for Mabel F., wife of Sgt. Ray Smith (1891–1944), and Charles A. B. Smith.
Life Hereabouts
Camden Courier-Post —
DOWN MEMORY LANE with that Old Gang of Yours . . . in a few of the years when Our Town was as good a sport town as any in the land . . . from the time that Taylor and Gunnis promoted fights through the years to Roxey Allen . . . Mickey Blair . . . Eddie Chaney . . . Shamus Maguire . . . Pee Wee Ross . . . Jackie Hindle . . . Watson Finch . . . Georgie Abner . . . Nick Nicholas . . . Dixie Allen . . .
The days when Camden was the Mecca for Philly fight fans . . . with champions like Mike O’Dowd . . . Benny Leonard . . . Pete Herman . . . Jimmy Wilde . . . Gene Tunney . . . fighting in the Armory on Haddon avenue . . . for One, Two and Three . . . tax included . . . the days of John Smith . . . whose son, Lee, became one of our great friends . . . the days when Philly came to Camden to see the best fighters in the land . . .
AND THEN DOWN through the years with Lou McFarland . . . Higgins and Kaplan . . . Tommy James . . . the man named Doyle who always gave us a smile when we called him “Mister” because he was so kind . . . When Sergeant Ray Smith became a referee . . . “Pose” Robinson . . . the days of Willie Davis . . . Harry Smith . . . Jim Kelly . . .
Fights in the ball park at Twelfth and Federal streets . . . at the Fairview Ball Park . . . in the Temple Theatre . . . the Star Theatre . . . Newt Blanchard, the only promoter who gave us MORE money than we asked for . . . The Broadway Theatre . . . the early days of Convention Hall . . .
THE TIME they opened the Plaza Hotel Gym and all the fine lads on the program . . . with the late Mayor Stewart in the audience . . . and many other dignitaries . . . and being “dared” into a match with Ray Smith, because his opponent failed to show . . . the same guy who fought Tunney . . . Mike Brennan . . . Gibbons . . . Martin . . . Dempsey . . . Loughran . . . and seeing the Sergeant’s body covered with blood in the second round . . . our very own blood . . .
THE YEARS when Gloucester city was the fightenest town in the nation . . .
The days of K. O. Joey O’Donnell . . . who fought them all. . . Of Frankie Conway . . . who never took a backward step . . . and still has the same courage today. . . . Of Willie Spencer . . . who headlined show after show. . . . Charlie Daggert . . . now a referee in Philly. . . . Jimmy Rafferty . . . Eddie (Kid) Wagner . . . Young Sherlock . . . Abe Wustbond, later an instructor of boxing at Herman’s gym in Philly . . . Eddie Forrest . . . and his brother, who fought Battling Nelson . . . the crowd-pleasing Willie Fuller . . . Joey O’Connor.
Back when “Chick” Hunt fought under the name of Eddie Melson . . . and later, in professional ranks, the night he fought Joe “Kid” Fisher at the Apollo theatre in Gloucester. . . . Chick is our friend today . . . but we don’t believe he ever will forgive us for that night when we yelled at Joe to . . . well, we yelled at Joe . . . The days of Harry “Dick” Donohue, trainer and manager of Nick Nichols.
AND THE BEST, learning the business under the incomparable Eddie Prince . . . who knows how to condition fighters . . . then and now . . . with the best in the nation. . . . The days when they called Mister Georgano “Lemons” . . . but affectionately . . . not because he was ever sour.
When Johnny Sapio . . . who only days ago was honored at a banquet at Weber’s Hof Brau by so many people the walls bulged . . . fought under the name of Young Joe Grim.
HOW MANY will remember when our own Eddie Garrity, now the sedate deputy director of public safety in Our Town, was a boxer . . . with plenty on the ball? . . . When George Murphy boxed around here . . . and the Tighe brothers, Eddie and Jimmy . . . Remember Richie Hoehner? . . . Jimmie Jordan? . . . Eddie Douglas? . . . Bobby Graham, then a soldier stationed in Gloucester? . . . Steve Jackson? . . . Frankie McLaughlin (whose brother Neil WAS on Retreat with us, Mrs. McLaughlin, and gave us much of this information)?
Recall Johnny “Homo” Bryan? . . . Duncan Carswell, Jimmy and Jack Dean, referees, all three? . . . Theo Ellick, the matchmaker. . . . And who could forget Joe Spearing, afraid of nobody then and now . . . he fought our boy Fisher three times to our knowledge . . . once in Atlantic City . . . another at one of the ball parks here and the third (the windup, no less) in Gloucester. . . . Who won . . . who cares?
THE DAYS when a Cook was a promoter . . . and a Politician(?) got the gravy. . . . The time “Red” Haines fought Roxey Allen over top the old Standard movies at Second and Vine streets . . . amateur against a near-champ . . . and what a battle . . . when Everett Joslin and Johnny Taylor were on the First district wagon and backed it up to the door leading to the second floor, and all the people gathering around because they thought it was a raid . . . and all they came to see was a round or two of the fights.
Back when Joey Powell had an iron fist . . . and Soldier Freedman an iron jaw. . . . When Mayor Victor King was always in the front row at the bouts . . . when Augie Oswald “worked” the river in his boat for shad and other fish . . . when a dollar was a dollar and not 27 cents . . . when the downtown fight gym was operated by Charley Mack . . . whose brother Battling Mack was a great drawing card and a great fighter . . . and Charley was no softie, either.
THE SUMMER BOUTS in the ball park when you could get a swell bleacher seat for half a buck—and be closer to the bouts than $50 seats at some of the big clubs now . . . and see better fights, too.
When Camden had growing pains . . . and its people started moving to the suburbs . . . when a guy who made 40 slugs a week was a “big executive.” . . . When copy boys on the papers got $4 a week . . . and had enough left over from their salary to lend money to reporters who made the tremendous sum of $25 a week. . . . Great days, say you . . . great days, say us. . . . Nostalgia.
Ayres Asks Public To Aid Easter Shield Drive
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Judge Rudolph S. Ayres, retiring exalted ruler of Camden lodge 293, BPOE, today urged South Jersey residents to support the Easter Shield campaign of the lodge’s crippled children’s committee.
Ayres, who is serving his second term as head of the Camden lodge, said: “The job of looking after needy, crippled children in this area is of great importance to all members of our lodge. This year, the crippled children’s committee plans to establish its own Elks’ Central palsy clinic. The estimated cost of the clinic will be approximately $25,000, which will include expenses of renovating a building to house the clinic.
“Throughout the years, our lodge has endeavored to aid crippled children. But public support urgently is needed now more than ever. I urge everyone to send their contributions to the Elks home, 807 Cooper street.”
Carlton W. Rowand, secretary of the crippled children’s committee, said an additional $2500 was needed this year for the purchase of braces, corsets and other aids for crippled children. In the past these aids have been bought by the State Crippled Children’s Commission, he added, but that agency is without funds until July 1.
Sgt. Ray Smith, the committee’s executive director, said: “The problems of cerebral palsy victims are ones which merit our most serious consideration. Statistics prove that only one out of every 100 children today receives the proper treatment. In this area there are more than 300 children suffering from cerebral palsy.
“At the clinic conducted by Dr. Winthrop Phelps it is possible to examine only 10 or 12 children each day. Due to the need in this area, Dr. Phelps is in Camden four days each week instead of two.
“The need for a permanent cerebral palsy clinic in this area is urgent. A clinic that will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. We want to care for the children suffering from cerebral palsy, but we need the help of South Jersey residents.”
The committee in charge of the Easter Shield drive includes: Dr. Irvin E. Deibert, president; John F. Knebleton, treasurer; Mrs. Florence A. Lovett, executive secretary; Supreme Court Justice Burling; James H. Barker; Samuel A. Cahn; Dr. Walter A. Crist; William Cassell; William J. Carberry; William A. Davis; Superior Court Judge Donges; Warren L. Fogg; Edward J. Griffith; Robert Galvin; U. S. Senator Hendrickson; William F. Huff; Herman Hurtle; Julius Krivos; Daniel A. McKim; John L. Morrisey; James O’Connell; Herbert Richardson; Harry G. Robinson; C. Guy Ross; John Robertson; I. Grant Scott; David L. Visor; Lawrence V. White and Congressman Wolverton.
Sgt. Ray Smith Installed by DAV
Camden Courier-Post —
Sgt. Ray Smith, former newspaperman, was elected and installed commander of the August F. Walters chapter 4, Disabled American Veterans, at a meeting Friday night in headquarters at Broadway and Benson street.
Sergeant Smith, who had been senior vice commander, was unanimously elected to head the organization after Robert Skutta resigned as commander because of his business hours. Sgt. Smith was installed by Albert Stewart, past commander. George Gkuhn was elected senior vice commander to succeed Smith.
James Duffield, who recently was hospitalized in Richmond, Va., spoke on paralyzed veterans of Wars I and II, declaring modern science had made great progress since the first war.
Named delegates to the DAV state convention at Wildwood June 22 to 24 were Smith, Gkuhn, Skutta, Stewart, Duffield, John Tachjiawn, Hamilton Batten, Stephen Kirby, junior vice commander; and Michael Sushak, chaplain.
Crippled Children Guests of DAV at Christmas Party
Camden Courier-Post —
Twenty-five crippled children were guests of the August F. Walters Chapter 4, Disabled American War Veterans, at a Christmas party in the chapter headquarters, 310 Broadway, Friday.
The children assembled at city hall, where holiday greetings were given by Mayor Brunner. They were then taken to the chapter home for a turkey dinner, according to Sgt. Ray Smith, commander, who said entertainment for the children was headed by Charlie Ventura, saxophone player.
Miss Sandra Lack, daughter of Albert Lack, of Magnolia, a War II veteran, distributed gifts. In addition the children received candy, novelties and fruit. Kathleen Walsh sang.
The chapter met after the party, Smith said, and made Lack a member.
Sponsors Invited For Children at Elks Annual Fete
Camden Courier-Post —
The chance to play “Dad” to a handicapped child will be the privilege of every Camden County man on Tuesday evening.
That’s the time for the annual birthday dinner in honor of Sgt. Ray Smith, held by the Elk’s Crippled Children’s Committee, at Clementon Park.
Each person subscribing to the dinner will have the opportunity to entertain a handicapped child as his guest. He will meet his “son” at the Chicken Barn at Silver Lake Inn at 5 p.m., and at 7:15 will be served dinner with him at the birthday party.
Frank H. Ryan, editor of The Courier-Post, will be toastmaster at the dinner, held in honor of the former Courier-Post reporter who was a hero of World War I and gave his only son in War II.
Persons wishing to entertain children for the night should send payment of $5 for self and child to Mrs. Florence A. Lovett, 807 Cooper st., Camden.
Sgt. Smith, who was injured in action in France, was light-heavyweight champion of the American Expeditionary Forces overseas before returning home.
Eddie Roecker, of Merchantville, singer and television personality, will be a guest at the dinner. Smith announced he has received word from Vice President Richard M. Nixon that he will be unable to attend because of duties in Washington.
Elks to Open Drive to Aid Youngsters
Camden Courier-Post —
The Elks Easter Shield fund drive will open officially Thursday with a luncheon in the Elks Home, 807 Cooper st., at 12.15 p. m.
William H. Heiser, president of the Elks’ Crippled Children’s Committee, Inc., of Camden Lodge of Elks 293, heads the fund raising committee.
“This year the Crippled Children’s Committee will conduct its own Easter Shield fund-raising drive,” said Heiser. “We are in no way connected with any other lodge or lodges and all returns will be used to aid crippled children in the area. The area which we service includes Camden County and parts of Burlington and Gloucester Counties.”
275 Children on List
According to Mrs. Florence A. Lovett, executive secretary, there are 275 crippled children on the committee’s active list. An average of more than 400 children are aided by the committee each year.
Through the fund drive the committee also buys approximately 150 pairs of orthopedic shoes annually for needy youngsters.
“No money is ever expended by the committee,” said Mrs. Lovett, “until all aspects of a case have been completely investigated.”
Sgt. Ray Smith, past president of the committee, is in charge of the luncheon assisted by John Robertson and Allie Barr.
Guests Pay for Lunch
“Each guest will pay for his own lunch,” explained Smith. “No money taken in on the drive will be used to buy food.”
The Shield will be in the mail next week. All contributions may be sent to the Elks Crippled Children’s Committee, BPOE, 293, 807 Cooper st., Camden.
Amateur Boxing Matches To Aid Drop-A-Buck Club
Camden Courier-Post —
Ten Bouts Scheduled to Be Held Tuesday Night at Convention Hall
Amateur boxing makes its reappearance tomorrow night in Camden, at the Convention Hall, after a lapse of many years.
Sponsored by NJSPBA Local No. 35, Camden, and sanctioned by the Middle Atlantic AAU. 10 three-round bouts will be held, the first bout to start at 8 o’clock.
The proceeds of the show will be donated to the Frank H. Ryan Memorial Drop-A-Buck Christmas Fund.
Six guest referees will officiate as many bouts, while an AAU referee will handle the four other bouts.
The guest referees are:
William Stretch, general manager of the Courier-Post; Jersey Joe Walcott, former world heavyweight champion; Joe Webster, popular restaurateur and former manager of record for Walcott; Mayor Weber, of Delaware Twp.; Sgt. Ray Smith, erstwhile AEF light heavyweight champion, and Frank Guetherman, Camden police sergeant who fought under the name of Tip Gorman.
Ten three-round matches, each round limited to two minutes, will be presented.
Seven of the 20 boxers to appear are Middle Atlantic AAU champions. They are:
Cyril Woodland, Richard Beasley, Woody Marcus, Richard Brown, Willard Roberts, Leslie Smith and Rudy Davis.
Others due to appear are:
Thomas Sharkey, Frank Murtha, Richard Ferraro, Edward Kiernan, William Floyd, Patrick Nutt, Stanley Hinneryk, Clarence Collins and James King.
Inspector Tony Skolski is chairman of the boxing committee and Anthony Moffa and George Mackenzie are co-chairmen.
11th Annual Banquet — Veterans Boxers Association, Ring 6
“ONE FOR ALL … ALL FOR ONE!”
11th Annual Banquet — Veteran Boxers Association, Ring 6 — Monday Evening • April 20 • 1959 — Moffa’s Farm
Honored Guests and Speakers
Toastmaster Hon. Francis J. Werner, Member of the New Jersey Assembly — Invocation Rt. Rev. Father George Sharkey, Pastor of the Church of the Blessed Virgin, Atco, N. J. — Address of Welcome Hon. Robert Yost, Mayor of Gloucester Township
Jersey Joe Walcott, Former World’s Heavyweight Champion — Tommy Loughran, Retired Undefeated World’s Light Heavyweight Champion — Pete Latzo, Former World’s Welterweight Titleholder, Conqueror of the great Mickey Walker — Corp. Izzy Schwartz, Former World’s Flyweight Champion — Hon. William Cahill, Member of Congress Representing Camden, Gloucester and Salem Counties — Hon. Edward J. Patton, Secretary of State, New Jersey — Hon. Anthony (Tony) Mitchell — Hon. Oscar Moore, Director, Board of Freeholders, Camden County — Hon. Martin Segal, Sheriff, Camden County — Hon. E. George Aaron, Commissioner, City of Camden — Hon. Frank (Chick) Abbott, Commissioner, City of Camden — Hon. Edward C. Garrity, Commissioner, City of Camden — James O’Neill, Executive Editor, Courier-Post Newspapers — Tom Ryan, Sports Editor, Courier-Post Newspapers
Alexander Feinberg, Member of the Stadium Committee — Gustav Koerner, Chief of Police, Camden — Francis (Pat) McCann, Executive Secretary, Boilermakers Union No. 801, CIO-AFL for the entire eastern seacoast — Joseph Guinan, Perennial President, Ring No. 1—Mother of all other Rings — Joe (Kid) Murphy, Six times president of Ring No. 6 — Frankie Conway, Honorary President, Ring No. 6 — Carlton W. Rowand, Secretary and Past Exalted Ruler of Camden B. P. O. E. No. 293 — Godfrey C. Misus, Past Exalted Ruler, Camden B. P. O. E. No. 293 — Jack Larkin, Ring No. 9, Garfield, N. J. — Jack Grebelski, Ring No. 8, New York City, N. Y. — Freddy Yale, Ring No. 12, Atlantic City, N. J. — Rosario DeLuca (Kid Locke), Veteran of 300 ring battles—never KOed — Stanley Ciechanowski, Former Freeholder — Joseph Cervino, Nationally Prominent Timekeeper
The Committee welcomes the following Mayors: Wilbur Richards — Clementon; Michael Piazzi — Pine Hill; C. Glenn Seelhorst — Stratford; Joseph Gaisor — Hi-Nella
Our Man of the Year
“Our guest of honor was born in Camden back on July 6, 1895 as Lucius Raymond Smith … in his 64 years on this earth, the man who is known to thousands over the face of the globe as Sgt. Ray Smith has endeared himself to all in this area for his unselfish interest and aid to crippled children … he has served as president of the Elks Crippled Childrens Committee for more than 20 years … at present, with Assemblymen Francis Werner and Frank Meloni, aided by Steve Kirby and George Ewing, he is fighting for a bonus for World War II Veterans and those who served in Korea. His talk before the N. J. Assembly, two months ago, was a masterpiece . . . he was one of the leaders of the bonus march for World War I Vets and with the aid of Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, established Anacosta … he has served the V. F. W. Post No. 705 four times as commander … he likewise has served three terms as Commander of the Disabled American Veterans — August F. Walters Chapter No. 4 … past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, South Jersey Chapter No. 26 … past president of the Veterans Voting League . . . member of Thoirs Post No. 47, American Legion . . . past president of the Gloucester Township Democrat Club . . . past president of the Erial Civic Association. Space will not permit to list any more of the accomplishments of this old soldier . . suffice to say he served his country with distinction in World War I, was decorated, and wounded on three occasions. His only son was killed in World War II.”
“We, the membership of Ring No. 6 are indeed proud to have our first president as our ‘Man of the Year’ . . . Sgt. Ray Smith . . . fighter for the underprivileged . . . fighter in ring wars . . . fighter on the battlefields of Europe . . . champion of crippled children . . . and so Sarge, your comrades of Ring 6 join with your many friends and say a long and healthy life.”
“LADIES & GENTLEMEN! HONORED GUESTS! TONIGHTS MAIN EVENT — SGT. RAY SMITH & FRIENDS” . . . the ring announcer would say at a boxing arena. “The feature attraction and testimonial sponsored by the Veteran Boxers Ring No. 6 Commission, Joe (Kid) Murphy, president. The principal, Sgt. Ray Smith, heavyweight boxer years ago, tonight honored as ‘Man of the Year’.”
To the host of friends Ray needs no introduction, for he has excelled in many fields — sports, charity, newspaper columnist, radio broadcaster, politics, public relations and understanding. In sports, he was an outstanding heavyweight boxer, winning top honors while in the Marine Corps.
As a referee in boxing, his ability, good judgment, fair decisions were never questioned.
In charitable work he has, on behalf of the Elk’s Club, performed a magnificent task for the crippled children. His many good deeds and kind words for his fellow man bestows upon him the title, “Big Man, Big Heart and the Man of the Year.”
Testimonial . . . Judges, host of friends present and elsewhere. Timekeepers . . . Ending festivities, Moffa Bros. Referee and Toastmaster . . . Frank Werner, N. J. Assemblyman. Referee’s Instructions . . . Friends, sportsmanship sometimes is better than a “Victory.” “Gong”!!! There goes the bell, festivities proceed.
There is no question, Sgt. Ray Smith welcomes his many friends, and appreciates your coming to honor him. We all agree that Sgt. Ray’s heart is not big enough, and words could not express his gratitude to his many friends for paying him this tribute, “Gong”!!! There goes the bell again, and final decision. Ladies, Gentlemen, Honored Guests and Advertisers, the Veteran Boxers Association, Ring No. 6 remains exceedingly grateful and sincerely appreciates your support and patronage in honoring “OUR MAN OF THE YEAR.”
Thank You … Good Night … Best of Health! — Arrangement Committee: Joseph Powell, Les Cranmer
VBA Ring 6 Well-Wishers
Veterans Boxers Association Ring 6 — 11th Annual Banquet,
Joey Powell’s Well-Wishers also extend best wishes to Sergeant Ray Smith.
Joey Powell, 1931, 127 lbs. Managers: Dick Graminga, Charles Humes, and Tony Georgette. Trainers: Eddie Prince, Lew Sparks, and Jack Blackburn.
Joseph Grochowski — Al Bunker — Ed Kaszycki — Andy Friday — John Skiba — John Dombrowski — Walter Szalanski — Nick Pawlak — Wm. O’Brien — Bill Neil — Wm. Schultz — Tom Scarduzio — Peter Paull — Barney Tracey — Dave Hainsworth — Walter Zimolong — Edward Shapiro — Thomas McLaughlin — John Opfer
Vallie Francesconi — Tom Ryan — Leon Lucas — Jesse Urban — Bobbie Zimmerman — Joe (Kid) Murphy — Pee Wee Wilson — Jackie Gleason — Joe Vitarelli — Al Daley — Frankie Youker — Joe McEvoy — Frank Valenti — Jim McFadden — Charles Bauer — George Ballantine — James O’Neill — Dorothy Dougherty — Agnes McHenry — Vicky Dangler — Francis Souders — Loretta and Reds — Bart — Roger Cotton — Leon McCarthy — Kenneth Geitz — Joe Daubman — Norman Jacobson — Nick Colofrancisco — Chris Rago — Charles Myers — Ray Cohand — Paul Harduk — Charles Wells — Carl Stolinski — Walter Wilson — Steve Straub — Charley Kmiec — Jimmy Tyler — Joe Dorfy — William Vogel — John Campbell — Steve O’Keefe — Sam Laird — Ed Rickter — Don Cragin — John Odorisio — Michael Przywara — Walter Paleszewski — Watson Burdalski — Stanley Snajkowski — Frank Drabik — John P. Kawczak — Frank Kulesa — Steve Kirby — James R. Asher — Polack Tony — Stephen Yakopczyna — Helen and Chick — Don Wilson — James Monaghan — George Carr — Bill Jentsch — John Greenan — Charles Galasso — Don’s Barber Shop — Joe Shaw — Ben Gutowski — Tom Bristow — Joseph Stelmach — Leon Hood — George Saunders — Mike Borman — Anthony Cirelli — Bob Hardy — Frank Hardy — Benny DePalma — Frank Padulla — Mike Yack — Stanley Powell — George Kroecker — A Friend — The Fox — Tom Fish
Flag Day Ceremonies Conducted by Elks
Camden Courier-Post —
Flag Day ceremonies were conducted Sunday in the Camden Elks Home, 807 Cooper st.
George I. Shaw and Godfrey C. Misus, both past exalted rulers, gave the history of the American Flag. Franklin P. Kramer, past exalted ruler, and officers, conducted the altar services. Clair V. Cathers, exalted ruler, conducted lodge services, which terminated with a formation of red, white and blue flower bouquets.
David W. Nichols Jr. headed the committee in charge. He was assisted by John Robertson, Sgt. Ray Smith, co-chairman, Shaw, Edwin H. Bishop, William S. Gibson, Joseph R. Mulligan, James A. MacMillan, William H. Jackle, C. Hobart Corson and Wilfred Benoit.
Ryan Honored At Special Fete
Camden Courier-Post —
More than a score [sic] sportsmen from the Camden area attended a surprise 75th birthday party to Tom Ryan, retired sports editor of the Courier-Post, in Kenney’s Camden last night.
Sheriff Martin Segal, Sergeant Ray Smith, former AEF heavyweight champion, and a number of other former boxers who have known Ryan for 40 years attended.
Other guests included: Stephen O’Keefe, chief copy editor of the Courier-Post; Joe (Kid) Murphy, former Camden Ring 6 president; Joe Spearing, Ring 6 president; Roxie Allen, Tom Kenney Sr., Battling Mack and Eddie Prince. Anthony Georgette was toastmaster and Lew Skymer chairman. All paid tribute to Ryan.
Crippled Children's Party Tomorrow
Camden Courier-Post —
41st Annual Affair
The Crippled Children’s Committee of Camden Elks Lodge 293 will sponsor its 41st annual party for crippled children tomorrow.
S.S. Norcross 3rd, exalted ruler of the lodge, and Edward J. Griffith, president of the Crippled Children’s Committee, said the children will board buses at 10:30 AM at the Elks’ home, 807 Cooper Street.
First stop will be Sergeant Ray Smith’s home on Lake Renee, where the children will have their annual picnic lunch. Following lunch they will ride horses from the Persian Acres Dude Ranch operated by County Detective Robert Di Persia.
Erial Fire Company will pick up the children for a ride to the Nike Missile Base in Erial, then onto Clementon Lake Park. Following dinner in the Chick Barn at Silver Lake Inn, the youngsters will return to the Elks’ Home.
Among those helping Sgt. Ray celebrate his 72nd birthday at Silver Lake Inn later in the evening will be former Judge Samuel P. Orlando, Congressman John E. Hunt, Jersey Joe Walcott, Mayor Alfred Pierce and state Senator Frederick J. Scholz and recently appointed Prosecutor A. Donald Bigley.
Sarge's Smile Will Be Full Bloom Again
Camden Courier-Post —
Hopes Frustration Ends
By Otts Hulleberg, Courier-Post Sports Editor
For the first time in his life, Sgt. Ray Smith feels frustrated.
For many dozens of years, the Sarge’s home on Lake Renee in Erial, has been the mecca for ex-boxers, newspapermen and politicians. Most of them just come to chat a bit and reminisce.
Suddenly, the Sarge reports, the line of visitors to his retreat has dwindled to a trickle. “In fact,” Sarge said mournfully, “I’ve only had two old friends — George Denver and Hugh Kelly — visit me in the last two weeks.”
Is that any way to treat a man who, in his prime, dined with the King of England and the Duke of Windsor, and tripped the light fantastic with famed dancer Irene Castle and Elsie Janis, the “Sweetheart of the AEF?”
We’re taking you back to the 1917-1920 era now. That’s when the Sarge became the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) heavyweight boxing champion. Later he became boss man of all boxers in Europe fighting with the Allies against Germany. He removed his last opponent, Captain J. Coughill of Australia, with a knockout at 1:25 of the first round in Paris, France.
And that’s when General John J. Pershing, supreme commander of the U.S.A. forces, decorated Ray Smith for valor. Later, famed Marshal Petain pinned France’s Croix de Guerre on the Sarge’s chest.
Ah, what memories this man has, and what moments and hours of glory.
He likes to recall his fight with Battling Levinsky, world’s light-heavy champion at the time. Ray battled him to a draw at Norfolk, Va. Later, after shipping to France, he boxed exhibitions for the doughboys with George Carpentier, France’s wonder boxer who stripped Levinsky of his title.
The Sarge fought the best of them after returning from World War I … Bill Brennan, Hambone Kelly, Willie Meehan and Gene Tunney. Gene, before he whipped Jack Dempsey for the world’s heavyweight championship, boxed Ray right here in Camden. Tunney knocked the local hero out.
“It was no disgrace losing to Tunney,” Ray said. “After all, he turned out to be the best of ‘em all.”
The Sarge, now 72 and a cripple confined to a wheel chair, still manages to smile most of the time, despite his handicaps and a series of hard knocks. His smile is beginning to wear a bit thin only because he misses his friends. “Many of them have thinned out,” he said, “like my good pal, Eddie Lobley. Now there was a real man.”
But Smith’s smile will be at full bloom again this Saturday afternoon. The place is Kenney’s, Camden; the time, 1 p.m.; the event, the 40th annual Elks Crippled Children’s party. The Sarge, chairman of this affair since its inception, this time will be the master of ceremonies. Most of the planning is in the hands of Carlton W. Rowand, who helped Smith establish the Elks Easter Shield years ago, and Eddie Griffith, new president of the Elks Crippled Children’s Committee.
Most of his life the indefatigable Smith has been doing things for others … crippled children, down and out boxers, most anyone with troubles. He went to work for the kiddies long before an auto accident in 1964 put him in a wheel chair. He required braces and crutches in walking, but he refused to give up his charitable work.
The National Veterans Boxers’ Association, at long last, recognized Smith’s great work recently at its annual convention in Atlantic City. The Sarge, as his buddies in Ring 6, VBA of Camden, looked on approvingly, received a plaque for “Meritorious Service to Humanity.”
Ray will always cherish that award.
But he would much rather see that slow trickle of visitors to his home blossom into a steady stream. After all, a lonely man needs more than his memories!
Camden Boxing Elite — VBA Ring 6
CAMDEN BOXING ELITE — At one of the many gatherings of Camden’s Ring 6, Veteran Boxers’ Association, Tony Georgette (right) enjoys company of Sgt. Ray Smith (seated), Lew Skymer (left) and Frankie Rapp.
Sgt. Ray Smith Road, Erial, NJ
“I live on Lake Rene in Erial across from Ray Smith road. My neighbors had told me of his kindness and generosity while owning all of this area inviting handicapped children here for camp and I was skeptical but now I know.”
— Pat Yocolano, September 2007