What Happened to John L. Sullivan In Cabinet of Kellar, the Magician

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 387, 22 June 1928, Page 10

What Happened to John L. Sullivan In Cabinet of Kellar, the Magician

One of the oddest incidents in the life of John D. Sullivan, the famous old-time boxer, which had nothing to do with his ring activities, occurred in Philadelphia on March 17, 1885.

Sullivan went to see a show given by the then famous Prof. Kellar, magician, at Egyptian Hall. When Prof. Kellar began his cabinet act he invited a committee to go upon the stage and tie him. As Sullivan’s presence in the house was known to all, the audience called for him to accept the invitation. “Sully” went up with his trainer and they used a piece of rope similar to that which does duty as a bell cord on trains. Sullivan took hold of one end of the rope and Sheppard, his trainer, took the other. In trying to tie the professor’s right wrist they broke the ropo in two pieces as if it had been twine instead of stout cord. A new rope was obtained and Kellar was finally tied. He then invited Sullivan to go into the cabinet with him. Sullivan went, and in relating his experiences said: ‘‘l never was so much surprised in my life as I was a few minutes after I went into Kellar’s cabinet. I said to him, ‘What are you going to do with me now?’ and the next thing I knew, my overcoat was gone. I felt all around for it, but I couldn't find it, and then I was chucked out of the cabinet on to the stage as if I had been shot out of a cannon. My inside coat was turned inside out and I laysprawling on the stage as if some fellow had hit me on the jugular. I’ll be I blanked if Kellar ain’t the strongest ■ little man I have ever seen. I got my I overcoat back and turned my inside | coat right side out. and got off the ■ stage. I don’t want any more cabinet I business.”