1901 - Boxing at the Star Theater

“By far the best boxing entertainment given here for a long time was that given in the Star Theatre last night. There was a good crowd of sports present to enjoy it, too.”

“Hamilton Times.                   March 12, 1901.

The Star Theatre, on Merrick street between James and Macnab, was usually the location of really raucous, bawdy stage entertainments. However, on March 11, 1901, the Star Theatre was the place where a highly –anticipated evening of boxing was scheduled.

“Among the crowd were a number of Hamilton policemen, in uniform, there to preserve order if needed, and to make sure that there was no open betting on the matches.

“While the crowd sat and awaited the start of the fights, there was already a fight underway – at the entrance to the theater.

Sergeant-Major Prentice, accompanied by a few uniformed constables, approached the ticket-taker and assumed that they would be let in.

But such was not going to happen.

From the Times account published in the following day’s paper, that of March 12, 1901:

“Police Major Prentice was refused admittance to the fistic carnival in the Star Theatre by H.M. Hogan, the door-tender, who was acting on instructions received from the promoters. Sergeant Pinch was also refused, but that officer found his way in in company with Constable W. Clark. An apology was tendered him afterwards, however, it being explained that the major was the only one the door-tender had been instructed to keep out. Constables Zeats and Cameron were admitted freely, and they were the ringside all evening. The bouts were carried out in accordance with the law, and there was no need for police interference.

“Major Prentice’s presence at sparring exhibitions, for some reason or other, is not looked upon by boxing promoters, some of whom claim that he too often shows an inclination to relieve the referees of some of his duties.

“Chief Smith said this morning he didn’t know whether the fight promoters had a legal right to keep out an officer in uniform, but he would look up the law on the question.”¹

¹ “The Ring : He Was Refused Admittance to the Fight”

Hamilton Times.                    March 12, 1901.

Sergeant-Major was not going just forget about how he was treated at the Star Theatre. Ultimately, the promoter of the boxing match would be hauled into Police Court to answer a charge of interfering with a police officer doing his duty:

 ““Frank A. Passmore, the well-known sporting man, who was manager of the ‘fistic carnival’ at the Star Theatre on Monday night, has been summoned on a charge of obstructing a police officer, Major Prentice, in the discharge of his duty. The case will be tried at the Police Court tomorrow morning, and Mr. Passmore will be defended by Mr. S.F. Washington, K.C. The defendant will, no doubt, elect to be tried by higher court, but probably all the evidence will be put in at the preliminary examination. The outcome of the case will be watched with interest.

“The charge is the outcome of the major being refused admittance to the fight by the door-tender and Mr. Passmore.

“Mr. Passmore says there eight police officers at the fight, and he thinks that was quite sufficient to prevent a breach of the peace or a violation of the law. There was discrimination against the major, however, as the other officers were told they were welcome, while the major was told he could not get in without an order from the Chief of Police.”

The morning of the Police Court appearance of Sergeant-Major Prentice and the promoter saw large numbers of the local ‘sporting’ community arrive to see how the matter would play out:

“There was an old-time session of the Police Court this morning. There was a long list of cases and the court room was crowded. A lot of ‘sports’ were present to hear the fight case. ‘Bobby’ Thompson, the cyclist boxer, was in court wearing a bland smile and a red sweater.

“The case of Prentice vs. Passmore did not last as long as expected. Passmore declined to elect, when arraigned on a charge of interfering with a police officer, Sergeant-Major Prentice, while in the discharge of his duty. He was defended by Mr. S.F. Washington, who objected to the charge as read. The Crown Attorney made a change in the indictment, and then the Sergeant-Major told of going to the Star Theatre on Monday on instruction from Chief Smith, to keep order and ascertain the outcome of the bouts. He was invited into the office, and there the defendant told him his interference at a former fight was unsatisfactory to him, and questioned his knowledge of boxing. Witness said he started down the entrance to the stage, and Passmore ran ahead of him and blocked the door. But for this obstruction he would have gone in. He went away and consulted with the Chief and then went back to the theatre. Passmore asked him if he had a written order from the Chief of Police, as he would require one before his would admit him.

“The officer was put through a rigid cross-examination, and he admitted that he had been told there were several policemen in the theater and that any other officer on the force but him could get in. He would not swear he believed a prize fight was to take place.

“Constable Zeats and Cameron, who were with the sergeant-major, and said they heard Passmore tell him couldn’t get in. They were passed in and were at the ringside all evening.

“Mr. Washington asked that the case be dismissed, and quoted judgments to show that Prentice had no legal right to demand admittance, unless he believed a breach of the peace was taking place.

“The Crown Attorney asked that the case be sent to the High Court on a question of law.

“The Magistrate said it was a question of fact, not law, and dismissed the action. The evidence showed, he said, that Passmore admitted the police and objected to Prentice on personal grounds, believing he had a legal right to do so. Therefore the action was not willful or criminal.”²

² “Didn’t Do It ‘Willfully.’ : Prentice-Passmore Case Was Dismissed”

Hamilton Times.    March 16, 1901.