Sergeant
Ray
Smith

SERGEANT RAY SMITH was born Lucius Raymond Smith on June 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 Petain. 

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 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 on 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.

Camden Courier-Post - January 28, 1928

CHARITY BATTLES ATTRACT BIG CROWD
St. Joan of Arc Church Bouts Furnish Plenty of Action Throughout

Fifteen sizzling amateur boxing bouts, together with nine acts of vaudeville, were presented to a capacity crowd in the St. Joan of Arc Church gym, Fairview. The proceeds derived from the affair will go toward the church building fund.

In the feature bout, Bob Zimmerman, of Fairview, unintentionally fouled Eddie O'Tell of South Camden, in the first round and Referee Joe Bonnell immediately stopped the fuss. Zimmerman was in the lead when O'Tell, in attempting to avoid a left hook to the body, leaped into the air with the result that the punch landed low.

Zimmerman, in order not to disappoint the crowd went three rounds with Mickey Murtha. Battling Mack and Pee Wee Ross staged a clown act, while Johnny Lucas met Billy De Lue; Tommy Lyons clashed with Jack Stanley; "Peaches" Gray tackled Terrible Pine; Joe Colon faced Billy Osborne, and George Anderson encountered Milton Bamford. All bouts were limited to three rounds.

Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh attended the affair, and when introduced by Announcer Bill Kennedy received an ovation that lasted fully five minutes. Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus, a member of the city board of censors also was present.

Sergeant Ray Smith assisted Bonell in refereeing, while John McGraw was timekeeper. It was one of the most successful affairs ever conducted by the church athletic association.  

Camden Courier-Post - October 17, 1933

Camden Courier-Post - January 13, 1928

LOCAL LEGI0N POST TO PUT ON FIGHT SHOW
Sergeant Ray Smith Heads Committee In Charge of Arrangement  for Jousts

Not to be outdone by any local organization, Corporal Raymond C. Thoirs Post, of the American Legion, passed a resolution last night in favor of staging a monster boxing show at Convention Hall sometime next month. Half the receipts will be donated to further the Boy Scout Movement.

Sergeant Ray Smith, former heavyweight boxer and now a licensed referee, was elected to head the committee on arrangements, which consists if ten members; Judge Frank F. Neutze, Dr. Irwin B. Deibert, Tom Taylor, J. Harry Ashton, Harry E. Bayne, George P. Rothermel, Albert Wehner, Fireman Ray Smith and Jack Weinberg will assist the sergeant in making the show a success.

A businessmen’s committee also will be appointed, but as yet has not been named by the legion committee members.

It is the intention of the committee to bring some of the best boxers in the country here for the show, which they will make an annual affair providing the initial one is a success. Chairman Smith stated today that he would apply for a boxing permit from Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh at once.

Fans Anticipate Stirring Bout When Mickey Blair
 Clashes With Joey Michaels Here Tonight
EVEN MONEY PREVAILS AS BOUT DRAWS NEAR
Friends of Principals Will Not Offer Odds on Convention Hall Final
BOTH BOYS CONFIDENT

...continued...

Fans Jeer As Referee Smith Gives Draw Decision in 'Mickey' Blair-Joey Michaels Bout
BLAIR'S SKILL OFFSET MICHAELS KAYO PUNCH

...continued...
...continued...
...continued...
...continued...
...continued...

Camden Courier-Post - March 29, 1930

SERGEANT RAY SMITH, Courier-Post reporter and former heavyweight boxer, who suffered a wrenched back and strained right leg yesterday in an automobile accident while en route to the Baer-Schmellng fight in New York. He was treated at Bellevue Hospital but was able to continue to the Yankee Stadium and witness the bout. 

Camden Courier-Post - June 13, 1933

What Do YOU Think?

By CHARLEY HUMES

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... 

Camden Courier-Post - June 16, 1933

HUNDREDS HONOR MRS. ELLEN D. RYAN
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.

Camden Courier-Post - June 16, 1933

Ray Smith ·Thinks Sharkey Will Win on Square Tonight
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 con 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. It 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 what ever 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 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 he is America's hope to night, 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 op 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 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.

Camden Courier-Post - August 1, 1933

 Jack Britton, welterweight champion from 1916 to 1922.

A master boxer whose years never dimmed his brilliant work in the squared circle. "How do you do it, Jack?" I asked one afternoon after a heated workout in Grupp's Gymnasium on 116th street in New York City. "Well, Ray, I guess the answer is properly conserving energy. If you notice I never make any un­necessary moves when I'm in there," pointing to the ring we had just left. "I do everything with a purpose, and every move counts." For, I am getting old. The showy, flashy boxer makes a, lot of unnecessary moves, makes a lot of useless motions, and hardly ever gets anywhere. I go in there with a purpose, to do my work in an expert workmanlike manner, to win and do it with the least possible effort."

"I used to sit at the ringside and marvel at the defensive tactics that Jack could follow when necessary. Apparently he was making no effort at all, just loafing around, his left hand straight down at his side, his opponent would be forcing him, when all of a sudden the left would come from somewhere, snap into the opponent's face, then drop down to his side again. His opponent, usually some youngster that was strong, would rush Jack, bent on caressing him on the "whiskers," but the punch would never land, Jack was either inside or had dropped his head just low enough to let the punch fly harmlessly over. Then up from nowhere would come that left. It was sorta uncanny.

One night at the Garden, a boy with whom Jack used to box, worked in one of the preliminaries. He assumed Jack's pose, his left hand at his side. His opponent. a tough little fellow from the West Side, started a right cross. The left hand never came up, and the right cross landed against the boy's chin- that fight was over.

The next day at the gym I said to Jack, "Did you see S.· ... box last night? He tried that left hand just like you do." "Yep, he tried it," said Jack, "and it's a shame he got knocked out, but there's one thing he forgot and that is that I have been practicing that punch for 20 years, and I haven't got it perfect yet”.

Think of that. For twenty years Jack had been practicing one punch and yet didn't think he had it perfect. Yet several aspiring youngsters would see Jack use the punch a couple of times, then try and emulate him in their first ring contest. The ring game is strewn with boys who have been knocked kicking, while trying out Jack's method of using a left hand.

Jack was a marvel when it came to judging distance. He would just slide along, then pop would go that left hand, you had been nailed, and would still be wondering what it was all about, when bang would go a right that would almost jar your teeth loose, He was the hardest man to hit that I have ever boxed, in many ring contests. While training with Jack, I do not believe that I ever struck him an effective punch.

One day I felt as though I would like to work a couple of fast rounds, and as I had been boxing with Jack, I asked him to go a couple, Imagine my surprise to have him say, "I don't want to box, you hit too hard," I felt mighty swelled up, but modestly replied, "Why, Jack, I couldn't hit you with a hand full of salt."

“I know,” t he went on, "but you do hit me on the head, and it gives me headaches, and don't forget, Chicken, I'm getting old."

Jack is nearly 50 years old now, and I do bet that wherever he is, he's training his grandchildren in how to use that left hand. Wherever he is, the writer would like to take his hand and say, "Howdy Jack," just for "Auld Lang Syne."

Camden Courier-Post - August 4, 1933

Camden Courier-Post - August 17, 1933

Johnny Kilbane, featherweight champion from Feb. 22, 1912, to June 2, 1923.

John Patrick Kilbane, the cagiest boxer who ever drew on a padded mitt. For 11 years Johnny held the coveted title. Scattered throughout his reign as "king" of the feather­weight division are sprinkled the names of the real greats of fistiana. His hair was sprinkled a bit with gray on June 2, 1923, when in the sixth round of a 15-round battle fought in New York he lost to the great little war hero, Eugene Criqui, of France. Johnny had defeated Abe Attell for the title, at Vernon, California, Feb. 22, 1912.

"Sure, and boxing is just a means of making a living," Johnny told me one afternoon, after I had asked him why he carried so many boys along. "You see, I don't actually carry them, I just am careful that I don't hit them too hard on a vulnerable spot. These youngsters I box are striving for a place in the pugilistic sun, and are ruined a lot of times if you knock them out. On the other hand, if you help them make a good fight, you season them, develop them, and give the fans greater action for their money. And never forget their money. And never forget that the fellow out there who pays his dollar to see you perform is your boss."

What a philosophy! And what action Johnny gave the boys who bought their tickets at the box office!

Johnny. was a great crowd pleaser and always gave the fans a run for their money. He was noted for his generosity to his opponents. And a number of the boys who went the limit with John did it because he let them. But let the smart boxer who after Johnny had given him a break suddenly got smart and thought he could win from the "old fox." Johnny would kid them along for a couple of rounds, then, bang would go that right hand loaded with dynamite, and the chances are the "kid" would never hear the referee toll the fatal 10 seconds, but would wake up some time later either in his dressing room or in a hotel, still wondering what it was all about.

I remember well the story of Kilbane's fight with Patsy Cline that took place in Philadelphia in 1916. Everywhere in .New York wherever boxing fans would congregate the story would be told as how Patsy got too fresh with the champ and was knocked out. Along in 1916 Patsy Cline" a tough New York boy, loomed as a great fight prospect. He was managed .by George Engle, who landed a match with him with Johnny Kilbane in Philadelphia. The fight was not in the "bag," but it was sort of understood that Johnny was not going to make any particular effort to knock off Cline.

The fight went through the first round in good shape and Johnny was heard to say to Patsy, "You're doing great; now behave yourself and everything will be O. K."

But the bout was only scheduled for six rounds and Patsy had ideas of his own. Starting the second round; Cline tried his hardest to clip the wily Kilbane. That was the payoff.

A few hours later, Patsy awoke.

The club was in darkness, only Patsy's manager and a handler (waiting for his dough) were left in his dressing room. As Patsy moved, the manager exclaimed, "Geez, we was just going to send you to the hospital. We thought you were dead." Patsy told me years later that Kilbane had not knocked him out in that bout, but that someone had sneaked up behind him and hit him with a club.

One day in New York Johnny told me, "You know, I like that town I across the river from the burg where you live. That six-round business is the money. Sure, and you have to work hard and fast but when you only have six rounds to go there's nothing to it."

'Some of Johnny's best fights were fought In Philadelphia. It was in Philly in 1917 that he was knocked out by Benny Leonard in three rounds at the Olympia Club. Many of you, shall I say, "old timers," remember that show, for it was responsible in a way for starting the all-star show.

Edwards had signed Kilbane and Leonard for his feature bout, at the Olympia. The late Jack McGuigan had put on an all-star show at his National Club, featuring some of the greatest stars in the business at that time. Benny and Johnny drew a capacity house. It was something of a novelty to see two champs at that time. Johnny was a great little fellow, and Bennie was a great bigger fellow, and the law of averages must be that always a good big man will whip a good little man. It was true on that day. It was a sort of the setting of the sun for Kilbane. He made a few good fights after that K.O. defeat, but he had passed the zenith of his career.

Johnny engaged in 139 bouts. He knocked out 23 of his opponents, engaged in 76 no-decision contests, won 25 battles, lost two, took part in two affairs that were called no contests, and was knocked out twice- once by Leonard and the other time by Criqui.

Surely a great record, when you see sprinkled over Johnny's past such names as Abe Attell, Eddie O'Keefe, Young Saylor, Biz Mackie, Eddie Moy, Frankie Burns, Tommy O'Toole, Eddie Morgan, Packey Hommey, Ralph Brady, Richie Mitchell-the list would cover a cou­ple of more sheets of paper.

Johnny was a real king of all he surveyed in the featherweight division when he was champion. He met them all, and beat them. That is, all but once, when he had a very close call, It was in 1913, and he fought that great Italian. Jumping Jack Johnny Dundee. It went 20 rounds, and was called a draw. Dun­dee was managed by my old man­ager, "Scotty" Monteith. Just be­fore the fight, Johnny--

But that is another story, and I'll tell you about it when I write about another great champion, Johnny Dundee, next Tuesday.

Camden Courier-Post - October 17, 1933

May 7, 1934

Click on Image to Enlarge

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 1, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 4, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 16, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 17, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 19, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 21, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 23, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 23, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 24, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 26, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

August 27, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post * August 28, 1935

Click on Image to Enlarge

SGT. RAY'S CHATTER

A "champ", while it's a name only, must continue to fight in order to keep the golden shekels coming in, but then again he must get right opposition if the spectators are to swarm through the turnstiles.  

Joe Louis, the 'Brown Bomber," of Detroit, who has slashed through the heavyweight ranks, needs the right opponents if he's to pile the million bucks he thinks he’d like to have as insurance against the vicissitudes of life. 

The story comes from Newark that Steve Hamas, former Penn State College football star, who for a brief period looked like a real heavyweight prospect, will take the moth balls from his ring clothes, leave his restaurant for a while and retire to the mountains to go through a training period with a shot at Joe Louis at the finish . 

And so, fight fans, you re m on the present plot being hatched in the inner circle of pugilism: 

Joe Louis vs. Steve Hamas, some time in June.

 The ballyhoo has been launched. Soon you will read of the 'stumble bums' Steve has knocked out on his way back for the Louis encounter. You will be amazed at the progress Steve is making in his training quarters, With tales of the sparring partners he knocks bowlegged with a terrific right cross, or maybe with a left hook. 

All of this you will read daily, for the match is practically in. Steve has been selected to help replenish the exchequer of Louis and, at the same time he won't be doing his own financial standing any harm. 

But the thing we are interested in is the result of such a battle. It looks to me though Steve will not go more than three rounds, that is provided the former college football order star reaches the best possible physical condition.

 Last March Max Schmeling who I figure will be duck soup for Louis handed Hamas a terrific beating and knocked him out in the ninth round of a bout in Hamburg, Germany.

 Never can it be said the writer of this column has aided and abet "big shots" who foisted such one-sided matches on the suspecting public. Remember the Louis-Retzlaff fiasco? That's why I am against this proposed Louis Hamas match, and I'll tell you why.

They never come back. The coordination that makes a really great fighter is lost after a long layoff. You never get it back. Like the flower kept alive through hothouse method, it never comes back as the bloom first picked from the bush. The days and months sap something within one, one of the essential qualities that go to make up a great fighter, and that is endurance. It was again proved in the Sharkey-Tony Shucco bout in Boston last Friday night.

 The former champion looked good in the early rounds, but at the finish he tired and almost sank to the canvas from sheer weariness. The splendid endurance that made him a champion had gone forever

 Hamas may be young in years but he is old in the fistic game. The beating handed him by Schmeling has in itself taken years from his athletic life. Even at the height of his pugilistic career I doubt he would have been a fit opponent for the 'Brown Bomber'.

SGT. RAY'S CHATTER

A letter from "Sunny Miami" brings a note from Little Ray Smith, now a city fireman and one of the writer's best friends. Little Ray, his wife Helen, and daughter Joan, are sojourning in the Southland during Ray's vacation. Enclosed in a letter are two snap shots taken of Joan and George Bernard Shaw. Ray says he met an old friend of mine, Jimmy Maloney, who now is a policeman. And that brings to mind a story. Jim, a good Irishman, and a few years back one of the best heavy­weights ever turned out of Boston.

 It was in 1927 when I last saw Jim Maloney, a fine husky lad who on the night of May 20 that year, was to meet an old rival, ,Jack Sharkey, from his home town in the ring at Madison Square Garden. These two had been bitter enemies and I feel that Jim resented the fact that Sharkey, a Lithuanian, had taken an Irish moniker when he took up fisticuffs. These two had met twice before in the squared circle in Boston. In 1924 Jim gained the decision in 10 rounds. In 1925 Jim again won, this time on a foul in the ninth round. And so on May 20, 1927, these two were to meet for the third time. To the winner was to go the distinction of being a runner­up for the heavyweight title .

 .After shaking hands with Maloney at the weighing-in ceremonies, I walked across the ring where Sharkey was addressing Jimmy Johnston, the matchmaker of the Garden, presented me to the garroulous gob.

I told Jack that I was a newspaper man and asked him how he felt about the encounter scheduled for that evening.

"I'll knock that big Irishman right I into your lap in about three rounds," Sharkey told me.

Jack was the underdog in the fight, all the sports scribes around New York labeled the match as just a warming-up process for Maloney who they thought was a great prospect to annex the heavyweight championship of the world.

The night of the fight I was at the ringside with my nose literally in the resin box in Maloney's corner. Jack got away to a fast start and was well out in front when near the middle Of the fifth round, call it imagination if you pleas, but Jack looked down at me, winked and shot over a terrific right cross that sent Maloney sprawling to the canvas just a few inches from where I was sitting. That ended the fight and also the career of a great Irishman who always gave his best in the squared circle, and I'll bet that there is no finer bluecoat in all Miami than Jim Maloney.

Incidentally that was the first fight that started Jack Sharkey on his climb to fame that resulted in his winning of the greatest of all fistic baubles- the heavyweight championship of the world. 

SGT. RAY'S CHATTER

I want to tell you of the time I was in Sing Sing as an entertainer in one of the many shows arranged for the inmates of that institution. On June 15, 1920, a boxing show was held within the prison walls for the benefit of the Mutual Welfare League of Sing Sing prison. The show, a boxing carnival, was arranged by Billy Roche, the renowned referee and staged through the courtesy of William A. McCabe, confidential agent for the New York State Prison Department.

As I look over the program I see many names who meant much in the world of pugilism 16 years ago. The show was headed by that great colored fighter, Harry Wills. His opponent was the writer of this column. Frankie Burns, the sterling little battler from Jersey City, was matched with Frankie Nelson, of Hoboken. Others to appear on the card were Al Reich, the white hope recently named by Damon Runyon and who attained much publicity as "Jafsie's" bodyguard in the Lindbergh case; Ole Anderson, of Minneapolis; Willie Herman, of Paterson; Willie Gardner, of Paterson; Jimmy Burns, of Bridgeport; Danny Lee, of New York; Jimmy Ambrose, of New York; Georgie Brown, of New York; Phil Bloom. of Brooklyn; Eddie Wallace, of Brooklyn; Red Allen, of Brooklyn; Dave Medal, of New York; Willie Murphy, of Staten Island; Jimmy Duffy, of New York; Fighting Joe Hyland, of New York; Frankie Corry, of New York; Al Turner, of New York; Jimmy Smith, Joe Lynch and Victor Richie.

We were entertained at lunch in the large prison dining room, and were greatly impressed with the efficient handling of the many convicts at meal time.

Since that June day, 16 years ago, many changes have taken place in the world of fistania. The names that meant so much in those days have disappeared entirely from the sports pages. Harry Wills, I understand, is quite prosperous a