Turkey Point Billy Smith

Circa 1900

Later in life Billy Smith was quoted as saying,

" I took up the prize fighting game to get $10,000 to keep my family."

On New Years Eve, 1898, Billy Smith announced he was going West to Chicago. For two full years Billy Smith lived the hardscrabble existence of a fist fighter.

" ...knocked down twice in the last round, but stayed the time limit."

Smith vs. Forbes. Chicago. 30 January 1899.

"...Harry Forbes got a decision over "TurkeyPoint" Smith."

Smith vs. Forbes. Chicago Athletic Association. 13 March 1899

"...Billy Smith defeated George Hall."

Smith vs. Hall. Chicago. 17 March 1899

"...admitting Billy Smith had all the best of the six rounds...Hogan called a draw because Bloom was cut on the head by an alledged foul. Smith vs. Bloom.

Star Theatre. Chicago. 13 May 1899

"Turkey Point Bill Smith of Philadelphia and Harry Forbes of Chicago met last night for a twenty round go at St. Louis. Forbes was given the fight in the fourteenth round, when Smith had both eyes about closed up and was in bad shape."

Smith vs. Forbes. 30 May 1899

"Billy Rotchford and Philadelphia Billy Smith fought six rounds to a draw..."

Smith vs. Rotchford. Chicago. 5 August 1899

"Smith tried to fight back, but McGovern literally beat down his defense and sent him to the floor...he lay unconscious...until his seconds dragged him to his corner."

Smith vs. Terry McGovern. 19 November 1899

"Turkey Point Bill Smith and Danny McMahon...met in the semi-wind up, the verdict going to McMahon in six rounds."

Smith vs. Danny McMahon. 30 December 1899

"Solly Smith did not appear ...like the Solly Smith who fought for the featherweight championship...Smith went against Turkey Point Smith at Tattersall's."

Smith vs. Solly Smith. 20 March 1900

"Turkey Point Bill Smith..knocked out Billy Hurley of Hammond in fifty-five seconds of the first round."

Smith vs. Billy Hurley. 24 July 1900

"Walter Bloom and Turkey Point Billie Smith...fought six very tame rounds to a draw..at the Star Theatre, Chicago.

Smith vs. Walter Bloom. 31 August 1900

"Turkey Point Billy Smith was given the decision over Archie Brown...in six rounds."

Smith vs. Archie Brown. 17 November 1900

"Smith has got a twenty round draw to his credit with Oscar Gardner."

15 April 1901

"Benny Yanger easily defeated Turkey Point Bill Smith...knocking him out in the fourth round."

Smith vs. Benny Yanger. Appleton, Wisconsin. 17 April 1901

When Billy Smith retired he became a successful electrican in Philadelphia. Then in early 1903 Bill Smith and his wife happened to attend a Salvation Army meeting. What was originally done for a "jolly" as Billy Smith put it , led to total life change. Turkey Point Billy Smith and his wife became full fledged "salvationists". Both Billy Smith and his wife wore the uniform of the Salvation Army. Smith played the bass horn and on ocassion carried the flag, his wife also played an instrument in the Salvation Army Band.

Turkey Point Billy Smith gained the immortality that alluded him in the ring by having been Thomas Eakins model for his paintings "Between the Rounds" and "Salute".

Vintage Original Large Format Photograph.

Price: $ 245.00

Size: 8 3/4 x 15 3/4 inches

Condition: Fair Surface staining as pictured. Presents better in hand than in the scanning.

2000-0174

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