Boy Scout Troop No,.89 Off to New York - July 1912 - Denny Butler's Troop

Inquirer 17 July 1912



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Philly Scouts Off To New York - New York Sun 17 July 1912

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Dennis F Butler - "Denny's Children" Exhibit - Inquirer 30 July 1911

Dennis F. Butler - "Denny's Children" Exhibit - Inquirer 30 July 1911

"DENNY'S CHILDREN" EXHIBIT

Popular Policeman's Protege Have Athletic Carnival

With their mothers, elder sisters and brothers looking on, the members of the "Denny" Butler's Boys and Girls' Athletic Association gave their last indoor exhibition of the summer in the small gymnasium fitted up in the cellar of the bluecoat's home, 229 Lombard street. yesterday afternoon.
Boxing bouts between boys ranging in size from tots who could scarcely lift the eight-ounce glove to youth who handled themselves in true professional fashion, wrestling matches and gymnastic exhibitions were features of the entertainment, while the Honolulu Orchestra, composed of three-string musicians from far off Honolulu, played native selections.
Louis Goshing and Isaac Whitman wrestled cleverly for thirteen minutes, at the end of which the foreman secured a fall. The girls were interested spectators, and two of them, Annie and Minnie Gilbert, acted as seconds.
Preparations are being made by "Denny" Butler for an outing to Red Bank, N.J. on August 14, and for two porch parties on August 21 and August 27.

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Excerpts Inquirer Obit - Undefeated Middleweight Champion Mike Donovan - 25 Mar1918

In his day Donovan taught the art of self-defense to more prominent men, including bankers, brokers, merchants and statesmen, than any other boxing professor in America. He was idolized by them all. for he was not only a great teacher, but a like-able man as well. One of his staunchest admirers was Theodore Roosevelt, who received his early physical training from Donovan. 

Donovan came to this city in 1873, where he married Miss Cecilia Butler and it was a most happy marriage. Fifteen children were born to them, nine of whom arc now alive, six girls and three boys.

Donovan's next stopping place was this city, and he soon became well known here. His first fight of note was with Jimmy Murray. It was called a draw after a battle of forty-three'rounds, lasting one hour and five minutes. The ring was pitched on Smith's Island, in the Delaware River, and the battle was for a purse of $100. The bout was witnessed by only a small crowd, because, the police had the tip and, many of the regulars remained away, fearing arrest. 

I spent the happiest days of my life in dear old Philly, and what great sessions we used to, have at Johnny Clark's, Arthur Chambers', Billy McLean's, McGees' on Second street, and the old Comique. In those days you could not get by with any four-flush methods. You had to get out and meet all comers, and some rare old birds they used to trot out to meet the champions who would go to Philadelphia, to fill a week's engagement at the different boxing resorts. Murray was one of the cleanest boxers I ever met and I shall never forget our fight on the island. We did not have a regular ring, but fought on the turf with the bare hands. 

The ring was formed by the crowd circling around us. It was a great fight, and one of the hardest I ever had, for I was almost blind from his blows. I still have some scars of that fight. Look here, look into the corners of my eyebrows, close to the bridge of my nose; see those two scars? Those are two places he cut me with those hard hands of his. 

Yes, we were both arrested and taken to Philadelphia. At the jail they wouldn't put Murray and myself in the same cell at first, because they believed we would continue the fight. I finally convinced the warden that I couldn't fight, even if I wanted to, because I could not see. It took me nearly four months to recover from that fight.
  

Library of Congress




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Butler's Swim (Misc. and Etc.) In New York Bay - The Brooklyn Union 30 Aug 1885

A tug and a barge, the latter gayly decorated with flags and bunting, lay for nearly an hour at the foot of Dock street, this city, yesterday afternoon, waiting for passengers. The barge had been chartered by Professor Dennis Butler, the swimmer, and was intended to convey the crowd that he expected to witness his great swim with Gus Sundstrom, swimming instructor of the New York Athletic Club, and Thomas Lestrange, a constable in Judge Courtney's court. The crowd, however, did not come, and at 2:45 the tug and barge crossed over to Pier 2, East river, Ne w York, to wait further developments. The race had been announced to take place at 4 P.M., but it was nearly 5 before there was any attempt made to move. At 4:30 Mr. Mike Donovan, of pugilistic fame, and Professor Butler came aboard and the fun began. Both of these professionals think, and, unless appearances are very much at fault, not without reason, that Sundstrom made a fizzle of the match yesterday, and by his strange conduct in not showing up at the time appointed for the swim imposed upon the public and played Butler a mean trick. 

Dennis Butler says that Sundstrom wanted him to throw the race, and that just as soon as he saw that he (Butler) meant business he backed down. Mike Donovan said that he had offered on last Friday night to bet Sundstrom $250 that Butler would beat him . Sundtstrom's brother, who was present on the boat yesterday, said that the reason his brother had not shown up was because be had been notified that if he contended yesterday with Butler he would lose bis place as swimming instructor of the Club. This excuse Butler and his friends think "just too thin for anything." 

Up to four o'clock the tickets for the match were offered for sale at 50 cents apiece. Not more than twenty-five persons passed the ticket-taker at this figure. At 4:30 o'clock the price of admission t o the barge was lowered to 25 cents, and it was announced that neither Sundstrom or Lestrange would swim, but that Butler would make a swim against time, and the amateur match would come off.

At the reduced rates, about 125 men and boys came aboard. Just before the boat swung out into the river Mr. Mike Donovan, in an unaccountable frenzy of generosity, threw the gate open and allowed over one hundred and fifty precocious "kids " who were standing on the dock to come aboard free. This last addition to the party filled the boat, but it did not add to the comfort of the other passengers. 

There were seven starters in the amateur race . Their names were Morris Doyle, M. Wayde, H. Joli, Mike Clifford, a Fulton street newsboy; "Con." Brady, of New York; Chris. Holderman and Carrie Falk, a girl 18 years of ago, a resident of NewYork. When time was called the girl made the first jump off the railing into the water , and struck out with a bold free stroke at 4:50:30 o'clock. The rest touched the water at 4:53. At 4:55 o'clock Butler himself leappd from the railing. The start was made right off Hall's baths, near the "Batery. Five of the swimmers threw themselves into the "rip tides" of Governor's Island, and were done for then and there, so far as the race was concerned. Most of them were taken into their accompanying rowboats after swimming but a short time. Brady, the girl, and Butler however, had better luck, and managed to keep in the current. 

At 5:40 o'clock Brady was opposite Fortieth Street, South Brooklyn, and was swimming with a strong breast stroke. Butler kept swimming along the Jersey side, and at 5:40 o'clock he was abreast of Upper Quarantine. He swam with regular over-hand strokes, about forty to the minute, with his head well out of the water. The girl, Carrie Falk, swam between Butler and Brady, about a quarter of a mile back of the latter, and she kept to her work with a nerve and regularity that was astounding. Joli was the first one of the swimmers to leave the water. He weakened at 5:40 o'clock, and he was followed by the rest except Butter, Brady and Falk. 

These three continued to keep gamely ahead for some time longer, When the swimmers were off Robbin's Reef Light, the tide began to turn, and a short time afterward Butler finding that he could not stand against the Strong flood tide, gave up, and was taken in, and the other two followed his example without much delay. Before Brady would leave the water he insisted upon having a drink and a chew. He was accommodated with the former. Morris Doyle was in bad luck. He lost the match and his clothes as well . He laid the latter in one of the small boats when he went in, but an unfriendly gust of wind lifted them out into the bay, and they went swimming on their own account. Morris was hustled borne under a piece of old sail-cloth by bis friends. 

The following is the record of the race: Butler left the water at 6:21 o'clock. He swam a distance of nine miles in one hour and twenty-six minutes. Brady left the water at 6:22 o'clock. He swam eight miles and a half in one hour and thirty minutes. Carrie Falk left the water at 7:05 o'clock. She was in the water two hours and fourteen minutes and thirty seconds. Morris was taken in at 6:46 o'clock. Butler was taken in just off Stapleton, Staten Island. He said the water in the bay yesterday was very cold, being as low as 63 degrees. The plucky Brooklyn swimmer deserves great credit for the manner in which he adhered to his part of the programme. Had Sundstrom done as much there would undoubtedly have been a great match. 


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Advice for Swimmer about Saving a Drowning Person from Dennis Butler - Nunda NY News 19 November 1910

ADVICЕ FOR SWIMMER

How to Approach and Save a Drowning Person

"The week end picnic and yachting parties make plenty of work for us during the vacation season," declared Dennis Butler, patrolman of the Third district in Philadelphia and at one time the amateur champion swimmer of America. In telling several friends about the long list of deaths, that have accompanied vacation periods during the many years of service that he has seen in the police department.

"What puzzles me more than anything else is the number of drownings that occur during the season," he continued. "Sometimes many a brave fellow who goes to the rescue of a drowning pleasure seeker is caught in the deadly clutch of a drowning man and accompanies him to a watery grave. 

"Now, I have learned from experience that to swim straight at a drowning person and attempt to seize him from the front means probable disaster. Нe will clutch wildly at anything and hold on fast. Нe prevents the swimmer from keeping his air, and when that is exhaled the jig is up. 

"Here is the way in which I have saved many a man. The best way to get at a drowning man is to swim around him and seize him beneath the armpits from behind. Then you are out of the reach of his arms and can hold him up and tread water. At times one must use other means of rescue. 

"Usually the person won't listen to your advice to keep still and will wriggle around and try to seize you by the neck. The only thing to do in that case is to deal him a blow on the bridge of the nose and stun him. Then the rest is easy. In his unconscious state the person will naturally become rigid, and all that you will have to do is to keep him afloat and tow him ashore. There are hundreds of ways in which a person can be rescued, the principal rudiments of which are to keep cool and always to keep out of the reach of his arms.

"Another important feature in the rescue work is that of getting rid of the water and restoring respiration. When the rescued party is on shore the first thing to do is to stand him on his head and hold his feet straight up in the air. The water will gush from his lungs, and when it stops flowing stand him on his feet with his back toward you and by holding him about the abdomen allow him to hang limply over. By pressing the abdomen in and out the water which is in his digestive organs will also be got rid of. 

"Another step is to lay him over a barrel or any other object face upward and his bead lowered toward the ground. Seize his bands and work them with a circular motion from the bead to the abdomen and back again. In bringing the arms back toward the head keep them wide open so that air will he forced into the lungs. Оf course the work of restoration requires anywhere from several minutes to many hours, according the amount of water which has been taken into the lungs.

"But, like everything else, even a novice can make an effort to prevent himself from drowning. When a man falls into the water who cannot swim the easiest way to keep up is to have the lungs well filled with air. This, together with the hands extended palm downward on a level with the breast and a few motions of the feet, will keep him on top for about a half hour, and in this time he has many chance s of being rescued. Instead of doing this, however, a novice upon falling into the water will raise his bands over his head and attempt to call for help. After he discharges the air from his lungs in the vain shout the lungs take in water, and then he naturally sinks." 

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Butler Gives Outing - Phila.Inquirer 29 Aug 1911

BUTLER GIVES OUTING

Popular Policeman Holds Children's Field Day 

More than two hundred boys and girls of the Fifth ward, ranging from six to fifteen years of age, all members of the Boys' and Girls' Athletic and Outing Club, conducted by "Denny'' Butler, popularly known as the "children's cop," at 229 Lombard street, enjoyed a field day yesterday afternoon at the Point Breeze Driving Park. "Denny" Butler took the young athletes to the park in three automobiles, gaily flying the national and the club colors. Upon the grounds they were enabled, to show the proficiency which they had attained under their director's physical instructions during the summer months. There were .more than forty events in the contests, covering every phase of athletic training. Magistrate Carey donated prizes for running, walking and boxing, and other prizes were contributed by Fifth ward business men. Dr. Billings, resident physician of the Pennsylvania Hospital, acted as umpire in a baseball game between boys of the east and west ends of the ward.  


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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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