Church Ring Bout is Found Success

1920

Pastor Wrestles After Fight is Finished

Bible Class and Sewing Circle Girls Wildly Cheer as Boxers Draw Blood

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 18. — The pastor arose, motioned for silence from his flock gathered around the platform in the church basement, and announced:

"The next number on the program will be a 3-round bout between the amateur champion lightweight of the United States and the ex-welter weight champion. Following that event, I challenge anyone present to 'Indian wrestle' with me. The Sunday School superintendent has asked to be first."

That book place recently at the First Congregational Church in Rosedale, a suburb. Rev. J. H. Jones, pastor, was acting as master of ceremonies of an "athletic carnival" staged in the church basement by the ladies' aid society for the benefit of the church building fund. A swimming pool, billiard tables, moving picture machine and other items of that nature are the goal of the building fund.

Bout Draws Mixed Crowd

Young men and young women of the age frequently found in public dance halls were at the entertainment. There were, however, some of the older folks, but in every case the wrinkles about their eyes turned up instead of down.

After the pastor made his announcement, into the ring walked Tommy Murphy, lightweight, and Roy Helton, welterweight.

More excited spectators, probably, never watched Murphy and Helton. Members of the sewing circle shouted for side swipes and jaw punches. Students in the men's Bible class used the proper technical terms, while the young girls' organization invented phrases expressive, but of hazy wording.

Murphy Drew First Blood

Murphy drew blood from Helton's nose and was condemned harshly for so doing, as Helton is a member and regular attendant at the First Congregational Church. Helton landed jarring jabs on Murphy's ribs and was urged to greater effort.

Thus they fought three rounds and when time was called, kept right on fighting. The extra punches were much appreciated by the spectators, until Mr. Jones at last separated the combatants.

Mr. Jones, or as the members of his flock call him, Jones, then took to the mat. Flat on his back, with the Sunday School superintendent beside him for an Indian wrestle, the pastor seemed to lose none of his dignity.

Other husky members of the church took a turn at "Jones" and went to defeat regularly.