Normally I would post something like this in our History section, but since its St. Patrick's Day, here's a good Irish billiards story....:grin-square:
" On January 21, 1868, John McDevitt, champion of America, arrived from
Indianapolis, announcing his purpose to henceforth make Chicago his
permanent abiding place. A number of billiard fans, including local professionals
and amateurs, greeted him the same evening at Foley's room*, No. 153 Dearborn
street, where the billiard wonder of his time was tendered quite an ovation..."
[ Then, later that year... ]
"...Joseph Dion of Montreal challenged McDevitt to play...for a wager of $1000...
[ Joesph Dion was the very man that McDevitt had beaten in the final playoff for the American Championship Title, and now Dion was back for blood, and in a big way. A $1000 wager in 1868 was a HELLUVA lotta money. Talk about a great TAR matchup! ]
'Joe' was one of the most sanguine fellows in the world, and he entered into the
game with McDevitt on the evening of September 16th, convinced of a victorious
finish. It was in many respects one of the most remarkable contests in billiard
history. During eight innings Dion played a beautiful game, and was 357 points to
the good, when McDevitt began the phenomenal run which still is the record.
From that moment, Dion never had an opportunity to show what was in him. So far
as he was concerned, he was no longer a factor. McDevitt manipulated the balls
until he got them in position, when, without a break, he proceeded to run the game
out, piling up 1,460 points, the crowd shouting itself hoarse, while poor Dion, cue
in hand, turned a chalky white as the referee called out the completed string of
each hundred, and finally declared McDevitt the victor.
He was lifted to the shoulders of admiring friends, carried about the hall amidst a
deafening uproar from lusty throats, and came within an ace of being stripped of
his clothing while fighting his way out of the hall.
It was indeed a great day for the Irish. "
.............................
Above excerpts from: Billiards Magazine May 1920, article by A.L. Hardy titled "Billiards Fifty Years Ago In Chicago"
*Foley's room was owned by irishman Tom Foley, who was formerly the very first IL state billiard champion, the founder of the national baseball league, and the founder of both professional baseball teams in Chicago.
Four short years later, in 1872, the "Great Chicago Fire" burned the city to the ground, and with it, went Foley's famous billiard hall and John McDevitt himself. Foley rebuilt immediately but McDevitt was never found.
" On January 21, 1868, John McDevitt, champion of America, arrived from
Indianapolis, announcing his purpose to henceforth make Chicago his
permanent abiding place. A number of billiard fans, including local professionals
and amateurs, greeted him the same evening at Foley's room*, No. 153 Dearborn
street, where the billiard wonder of his time was tendered quite an ovation..."
[ Then, later that year... ]
"...Joseph Dion of Montreal challenged McDevitt to play...for a wager of $1000...
[ Joesph Dion was the very man that McDevitt had beaten in the final playoff for the American Championship Title, and now Dion was back for blood, and in a big way. A $1000 wager in 1868 was a HELLUVA lotta money. Talk about a great TAR matchup! ]
'Joe' was one of the most sanguine fellows in the world, and he entered into the
game with McDevitt on the evening of September 16th, convinced of a victorious
finish. It was in many respects one of the most remarkable contests in billiard
history. During eight innings Dion played a beautiful game, and was 357 points to
the good, when McDevitt began the phenomenal run which still is the record.
From that moment, Dion never had an opportunity to show what was in him. So far
as he was concerned, he was no longer a factor. McDevitt manipulated the balls
until he got them in position, when, without a break, he proceeded to run the game
out, piling up 1,460 points, the crowd shouting itself hoarse, while poor Dion, cue
in hand, turned a chalky white as the referee called out the completed string of
each hundred, and finally declared McDevitt the victor.
He was lifted to the shoulders of admiring friends, carried about the hall amidst a
deafening uproar from lusty throats, and came within an ace of being stripped of
his clothing while fighting his way out of the hall.
It was indeed a great day for the Irish. "
.............................
Above excerpts from: Billiards Magazine May 1920, article by A.L. Hardy titled "Billiards Fifty Years Ago In Chicago"
*Foley's room was owned by irishman Tom Foley, who was formerly the very first IL state billiard champion, the founder of the national baseball league, and the founder of both professional baseball teams in Chicago.
Four short years later, in 1872, the "Great Chicago Fire" burned the city to the ground, and with it, went Foley's famous billiard hall and John McDevitt himself. Foley rebuilt immediately but McDevitt was never found.
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