William Muldoon and His Health Farm

william-muldoon

William Muldoon, a former New York City detective, won the World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship by defeating Thiebaud Bauer.  Muldoon reigned for ten years before retiring as champion.  After retiring, he began to make a living as a personal trainer. Muldoon trained many wrestlers but really came to prominence after getting a woefully out of shape John L. Sullivan fit for

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Herman Johannpeter (1878 – 1921)

johannpeter-family

When I started researching the family history, I only knew about two of my great-grandmother Caroline “Lee” Ellis’ nee Johannpeter’s siblings.  My grandfather told me a lot about his Uncle “Jules”, Julius Johannpeter.  Grandpa lived with Uncle Jules from the time he left Missouri Military Academy in 1932 until he married my grandmother, Alvina Ellis nee Mosblech in 1938. Grandpa

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Tom Hyer Beats Yankee Sullivan

tom-hyer-boxing-shape

Tom Hyer won the American Bare Knuckle Prizefighting Championship in 1841.  Like most prizefighting champions of the Nineteenth Century, he did not fight very often.  Hyer normally paid his bills as an enforcer for political parties in New York.  Originally, Hyer employed his talents for the Whigs but would switch allegiances to the “Know Nothing Party” with his friend William

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Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937)

still-thank-you-mr-moto

On Christmas Eve, 1937, the second Mr. Moto film, Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937) staring Peter Lorre, debuted. International Agent Mr. Moto strives to protect Chinese cultural treasures from international criminals. The Seven Scrolls will reveal the hiding place for the Tomb of Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan’s warriors reportedly buried great treasure with their dead leader. Mr. Moto’s friend Prince

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Morrissey vs. Sullivan: Fight, Then Feud

john-morrissey

On October 12, 1853, 23 year-old John Morrissey would meet 40 year-old “Yankee” Sullivan for the American and possibly World Heavyweight Prizefighting Championship.  Sullivan had been considered the champion since Tom Hyer, who had beaten Sullivan previously, retired instead of fighting Sullivan in a rematch.  Sullivan claimed the title and was backed by Hyer, who had made peace with Sullivan.

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