Dennis F Butler "The Champion Swimmer of America" - The National Police Gazattee 22 Aug 1885

PROF. DENNIS F. BUTLER. 

[With Portrait.]

Butler's first race was with Thom. Coyle, of Chester, from the Horseshoe buoy  (Delaware river, below Gloucester, N. J.), 7-1/2 miles. He won easily, with 15 to 20 minutes to spare. In 1878 he swam Robert Ward, of Canada, 5 miles, on the Delaware river (from the waterworks to Smith's Island), winning easily. He defeated Chas. Rice in a 5-mile ocean swim, Rice giving up after swimming 2-1/2 miles. In 1878 he beat George Wade and twenty-five competitors for the championship of America and gold medal at the New York Athletic Club regatta. Time, 19 minutes 4 seconds, In 1978 he beat John Thomas, of Canada, 3-1/2 miles, on the Delaware river. In 1879 he beat Blondell, of Baltimore, Md., at Bear Creek, Md.,5 miles. In 1879 he beat Chas. Rice, of long Branch, and twenty-three contestants at Cape May, 5 miles, making the fastest time in the world for 5 miles. In 1880 he was appointed life guard at Atlantic City, And met and defeated Tom Coyle, of Chester, PA. (who swam Johnson for championship of the world), in a mile ocean swim. Coyle being dissatisfied another swim took place. Coyle again suffering defeat. 

After repeated challenges to the Bradford brothers (life guards at Atlantic City) and all other ocean swimmers, and not being able to get a match with them, he returned to Philadelphia. He then gave a sweepstake swimming match in October of the same year, distance 7-1/2 miles, on the Delaware river, beating twenty-one swimmers, among them being Tom Coyle of Chester, Pa.; Joe Morrow, of Philadelphia; John Dunk and Borgiana of Philadelphia. In 1881 he swam Joe Morrow from Chester to Philadelphia, a distance of 15 mile. Alter leading by 2 miles for 12 miles be was taken with cramps. Morrow being awarded the purse and championship, in 1884 was engaged at Hanlan's Point, Can., to give swimming exhibitions, and was matched with Joe Smith, the Canadian champion 2 mile swimmer, $50 being put up as forfeit to bind the match. Smith paid forfeit, being afraid to swim. He again challenged all Canada, offering 100 yards start in a mile race. Not being able to get a match he returned to Brooklyn. N. Y., to accept the position of assistant with Prof. Mike Donovan in his Brooklyn gymnasium. Butler is also a noted sparrer, walker and runner. 


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