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Oct. 31, 1917. FITZSIMMONS PLANNED TO BE AN EVANGELIST Was Contemplation of Famous Boxer When Stricken With Last Illness. Bob Fitzsimmons, the former champion heavyweight pubilist, who recently died in Chicago, was contemplating becoming an evangelist when he was stricken and died. It was through the efforts of Charles L-ee, a former pugilist who battled in the arena under the name of Charlie Car- R'. Webley, of Camp Hancock i. M. C. A. staff, that Fitzsimmons be came a Christian. On Mothers’ Dav in May 1916, Fitzsimmons visited Lee in Camden, N. J., and was taken to call on the Rev. Zebley, who was a personal friend of Lee’s. Mr. Zebley tells of the incident as fol lows: ■ ,7 was Eitt ’ n K in my study when the bell rang. 1 went to the door and there was Charles Lee and his strapping big friend. Charlie said, ‘Shake hands with my friend. Bob Fitzsimmons.’ I replied, Quit your kidding.’ Charlie said, ’No; it is Bob.’ Fitzsimmons took off his hat f KING’S ® “A MODERN DRUG STORE” fStT ry thing Pure and Fresh and Quality Guaranteed. All Standard Pl irietary and Patent Medicines at Lowest Prices. '/W i 1 B EVERYTHING THE SOLDIER NEEDS Norns Candies, Shaving Soaps, Waterman’s Fountain Pens, Perfumes, Pipes, Flashlights, Toilet Articles, Shaving Brushes, Sterno Kitchenettes, Cigars, Thermos Kits, Stationery, 1 raveling Cases, Hair Brushes, Thermos Bottles, Cigarettes, Drinking Cups, Tooth Brushes, Safety Razors, Combs, Military Brushes. Tobacco, Sterno Stoves, Toilet Soaps, TRY A DRINK AT OUR SODA FOUNTAIN We invite you to make this “Your Drug Store” and feel perfectly at home. Any information gladly given. SPECIAL For the convenience of Soldiers at Camp Hancock we have estab lished a quick Motor-Cycle Delivery. Phone orders promptly filled. KING’S PHARMACY 13th and Broad Sts. Phone 615 Your Best Chance, Mr. Soldier, To Buy That Little Piece of jewelry or Souvenir is at L. J. SCHAUL & COMPANY Goldsmiths, Silversmits, 840 Broad. Street. Diamonds, Wrist Watches, Swagger Sticks, Stick Pins, Military. Rings. Everything in Jewelry. Bring Your Repairs to Us. Next to Kress’ 5 and 10-Cent Stoio. T R ENCH AND CAMP and I recognized him. I gave him a hearty hand shake and invited him in and we spent la delightful hour together. When they were about to go, Lee sug gested that Bob had some great stuff for Mothers’ Day, and I prevailed on the big fellow to come to the Grace Baptist Church and speak in the evening. "He was there. After preaching the evening sermon, in which the ex-cham pion was greatly interested, 1 told the congregation that I had a surprise for them. I called Bob Fitzsimmons to the nlatform. As near as I can remember the great Welshman spoke as follows: “ ‘When I was a lad my mother sent me to the store. As I went along the road some young men were playing football. The ball came my way and I, bov-like, kicked it. A great, hulking fellow struck me in the face and knocked me down I made up my mind right there that some day I would whip him. After re turning home I got an old leather apron from the biacksmith shop and made a set of boxing gloves, and began training to fight the bully. Soon I had made a reputation, and finally was matched for a bout in the local athletic club. A purse offered seemed a great sum of money to me. I wanted to win it to lighten the burdens of my old mother, who was a widow with a large family of children. As the time for the fight approached the lad came to me and said, “Bob. I want to win this fight for my mother, her cough is getting so bad and they sav that over in the city there is a great doctor who might be able to help her. Let me win it. Bob." But I could not. Many were betting on me and some were my friends, and I could not go back on them. The night of the fight came and the bat -le was on. For a while it was hard and even. Then his white face showed up before me and I cried out, “Go to it lad and win.” I made that famous shift and be went down and they counted him out. while 1 stood by with tears streaming my facP - When he came to, he said, Bob I wanted to win for my mother’s sake.” I replied, "You did lad; vou won and I won. The fight is mine, but the money is yours; I will not touch a penny of it.” I went home and told mv mother wnat I had done. She put her arms around me and said: “Bob. I have always tried to raise you to become a man. Now I know I have succeeded,” and then she kissed me good night.’ “After the service Lee and I had a long conference with Fitzsimmons, who had not been in church for twenty years and who had never before spoken in one As soon as his engagements in the east permuted, he went back to California to his wife, from whom he was separated. In time the following letter came: ‘I am going to settle down in California and spend the remainder of my days. Do vou know I was baptized last Sunday, and I will be a Christian from now on. My wife Trench and Camp Outfitters —FOR— Our Soldier Boys U. S. A. Regulation Cots, Steel Cots, Wood Cota, All Cotton Cot Pads, All Silk Floss Pads. All Feather Pillows, All Cotton Pillows, All Silk Floss Pillows, Camp Chairs, Folding Chairs, Folding Stools, Folding Steamer Chairs, Folding Tables, U. S. A. Army Trunks, Suit Cases. Second Floor BAILIE-EDELBLUT FURNITURE CO. 708-710-712 Broadway Phone 1632. is a good Christian and an evangelist and does lot of good, wmnderful work. I am proud of her. Give my regards to the min ister. I am glad I joined the church. I have never felt better in my life than I do now since Joining. T will probably become an evangelist, too.’ ” CAMP~ HANCOCK COMMENDED. Pennsylvanians in the military ser vice at Fort Oglethorpe and Camp Hancock are well housed, well fed and their health is very efficiently safe guarded by modern sanitation. This reassuring report is made by T. DeWitt Cuyler, director of the Sanita tion, Medicine and Red Cress Depart ment of the Pennsylvania Committee of Public Safety. Electric lighting is one of the mod ern features of Camp Hancock, Au gusta, Ga„ where 28,000 Pennsylvania guardsmen are in training. In both camps the water supply and drainage systems are especially commended and the policing arrangements handled by the new Military Police are declared to be superior to the old provost-mar shal methods. Needful Articles —FOR— Sammie Boys Bedding Rolls, Clothing Roils, Laundry Bags, Gun Covers, Pistol Covers, Post Cards, Tent Rugs, Tents Made to Order. First Floor T. G. BAILIE &CO. 708-710-712 Broadway .Phone 1632. Page 15 £ m lAi I• | 1 I ' v \P i X I * Q