CHAPTER V.
TOM SHELTON, “THE NAVIGATOR”—1812–1825.
This stalwart “navigator,”[[152]] at one period bid fair for a higher position on the pugilistic roll than his latter contests assigned to him. He was born at Wrotham, in Kent, on the 1st of May, 1787, where, when Tom was in the fourth year of his age, the memorable battle of Tom Johnson and Big Ben (Brain), took place for the championship. Tom used to say that in his boyhood this great fight, with its incidents, and the appearance of the champions, was the frequent theme of rustic talk, and deeply interested his youthful mind; the spot, often pointed out, being a short half mile from the cottage in which Shelton first saw the light.
At the age of three and twenty Tom found himself in London, and aspired to boxing fame. In height five feet ten inches, in weight twelve stone seven pounds, and inured to hard labour by his calling, Tom was “big enough and heavy enough” for anything. In August, 1812, having made the acquaintance of Caleb Baldwin, he was matched with Fitzgerald, an Irishman, of sixteen stone, and six feet and an inch. It was a sharp contest for the space of fifty-four minutes, when Shelton was declared the conqueror. The spectators who witnessed the efforts of the Navigator upon this occasion were astonished at the boxing requisites he displayed.
Two years, however, elapsed, during which Tom followed his calling, occasionally looking in at the Fives Court, where on the 31st May, 1814, at Cribb’s benefit, he put on the gloves as a “novice,” with Harry Harmer. In this affair Shelton showed so much courage and strength that many fancied him a match for that skilful professor. He was accordingly backed, after a long palaver of a twelvemonth, for 100 guineas, and on the 18th April, 1815, on Hounslow Heath, was cleverly defeated, after a most heroic battle of thirty-five minutes, fighting from beginning to end. (See Life of Harmer, Appendix to Period IV).
A Suffolk farmer, of the name of Studd, of superior weight and strength, anxious to obtain the honours of the ring, was matched with Shelton, for a subscription purse of twenty-five guineas. The mill took place on Tuesday, the 27th of June, 1815, at Moulsey Hurst. Harmer and Oliver seconded Shelton; Studd was waited upon by Richmond and Painter. Shelton was the favourite, two to one.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—The superiority of science was soon discovered to be on the side of Shelton. The farmer endeavoured to thrash his opponent straight forward, and succeeded in planting two hits, but was awkwardness itself. A rally took place, in which Studd got the worst of it, and went down from a severe blow upon one of his peepers. (The odds all upon Shelton.)
2.—The farmer had no pretensions to scientific boxing, and bored in without the slightest judgment. Shelton nobbed him with the utmost ease, and at length hit him down. (Four to one on Shelton.)
3.—The farmer could not tell what to make of it. The claret was trickling down his mug, from the repeated facers he had experienced, and he was floored from a right-handed blow.
4.—Studd was quite abroad, and was sent down with the utmost ease. (Twenty to one upon Shelton.)
5.—Shelton’s work was all done, and victory was now certain. Studd, without discretion, rushed head foremost in; but the left hand of Shelton paid him dearly for his temerity, and he was again sent down.
6.—Studd, rather desperate, fought his way into a rally, and made one or two hits at random; but Shelton, with the utmost ease, milled him down. (All betters, but no takers.)
7.—Shelton hit his opponent all over the ring, and sent him down as heretofore.
8.—On coming to the scratch, it was evident the countryman could not last long. He appeared to be much better acquainted with thrashing corn than entering the prize ring. This Johnny Raw, it would seem, had flattered himself that the possession of strength was the main qualification for making a win, but he paid dearly for his erroneous notions. The science of Shelton rendered him so much at ease, that he treated the attempts of Studd with the utmost contempt—he hit him all round the ropes, and then finished the round by planting a floorer.
9 and last.—The farmer was completely satisfied that he had no chance whatever, and resigned the contest. Shelton retired from the ring without a mark upon his face, or a blow of any consequence. Studd was much punished, and his optics in a damaged state. This combat did not exceed thirteen minutes and a half.
Owing to some private pique, a match was made between Shelton and Richmond, which was decided at Moulsey Hurst, on Tuesday, the 1st of August, 1815, in which Shelton was defeated. Shelton, it seems, had received some instructions from Richmond. See page 298, ante.
Soon after this encounter, Shelton was visited by a severe illness, and so reduced in weight and strength that it was supposed he would never again enter the ring. He became a publican, by the aid of his friends, at the Bull’s Head, Cow Lane (since West Street), Smithfield, but his gambling propensities caused his failure in this line. In March, 1819, however, the following battle, which took place on the spur of the moment, tended to raise Shelton’s fame highly in the esteem of the amateurs. Shelton (who had been seconding Hickman) was induced to fight a nephew of Ben Burn, the pugilist, a giant by comparison, weighing nearly, if not quite, sixteen stone, for a subscription purse of twenty guineas. Shelton was much out of condition, but on the match being proposed to him, he instantly accepted it; he however advised his friends to be careful about backing him. Spring and Richmond seconded Burn, and Oliver and Harmer picked up Shelton.
TOM SHELTON.
From a Drawing by G. Sharples, 1821.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On stripping, the Yorkshireman proved indeed a giant; the comparison between Shelton and his opponent was nearly similar to the memorable contest between Perrins and Johnson.[[153]] Although the face of Burn had no terrific aspect, his bulk was truly formidable. The spectators expressed their fears for the result, and the general opinion was that Shelton had shown more pluck than judgment, and that he must soon be disposed of. Upon setting-to, this opinion was, in a great degree, strengthened. Burn bored in upon Shelton with confidence, and the former seemed quite overwhelmed by this mode of attack, and had no room to make a hit. The length of arm possessed by Burn gave him every advantage; he aimed a dreadful chopper at Shelton’s nob, which told but slightly. The latter, in a most singular manner, in getting away turned round twice. He, however, planted a facer, but slipped down. (“It’s all up,” was the cry; and seven to four was offered upon the “big one,” without hesitation.)
2.—Shelton’s left cheek was slightly tinged. The Giant went to work, and his long arms did severe execution. Shelton put in two belliers with great science, and got away. Burn was awkward, but his length enabled him to plant a facer that seemed to stagger Shelton. At length hit for hit took place, and both went staggering away from the force of each other’s blows. In closing, the struggle to obtain the throw was desperate; but Shelton got the “big one” undermost. The roar of applause was like the report of artillery; but still it was thought he could not stand up against such weight, and must ultimately be defeated.
3.—This was a terrific round; it was downright slaughtering. Shelton put in two bodiers, that seemed to puff the Giant’s wind out of his mouth. Hit for hit again occurred, without intermission; and Shelton received such a teazer on his left eye, that his nob was like a spinning top. Burn was almost beat to a stand-still, and Shelton in no better plight. The friends of Shelton, however, now ventured upon even betting, and took him for choice.
4.—Shelton took the lead in good fighting. He hit on the body again, and gave Burn such a rum one on the mouth as nearly deprived the latter of all his masticators. The Giant, however, gave Shelton a chopper on the top of his sconce, that made chaos of his upper works. Still Shelton, undismayed, fought like a hero, and ultimately threw his opponent. By way of encouragement to the Navigator, it was loudly vociferated, “Shelton for £100.” If staking had proved necessary, it might have turned out a mere flourish.
5.—The mugs of both the combatants bespoke their handywork. This was a ding-ong round, and the men fought till they both fell.
6.—The strength of Shelton did not keep pace with his good milling; he was much distressed, and got to the ropes, Brobdignag following him with his long chopper; the punishment was terrific. One of the Giant’s peepers was almost in darkness; he was also piping like a worn-out pair of bellows; but he kept fighting till they both went down.
7.—This round exceeded all that had gone before it in severity. The reciprocal facers were terrific, both of the combatants frequently going back from the effect of the blows. Shelton put in most hits, but was at length sent down.
8.—Shelton commenced with good science, and nearly floored his opponent’s teeth. Brobdignag, however, was not idle in returning nobbers; Shelton, with much dexterity, after making a heavy hit, instantly gave a back-hander, that spoiled the shape of his opponent’s nose. The applause was loud; but Shelton was sent down: the work he had to perform before victory was certain appeared too heavy for him to execute.
9.—Sparring and feints were out of the question; it was nothing but execution upon both sides. This round was equal to the seventh. Both the men stood up and hit till their strength was gone, when they closed and went down. Shelton appeared distressed, but Brobdignag was also very queer.
10.—Shelton, however, left his second’s knee first, and appeared at the scratch. He put in two facers without return, and also a bodier near the mark; but the Giant, furious at such treatment, ran in and got Shelton down. It was thought he hit the latter unfairly, but it was purely accidental. “Foul!” “Fair!” etc., were loudly bawled on all sides; but the umpires did not notice it. Oliver, with much confidence, now offered £10 to £2 upon Shelton.
11.—It was by no means safe to Shelton, although he came gaily up to fight. Some sharp work occurred, and Shelton was hit down.
12 and last.—Little Gulliver seemed the giant in this round, for Brobdignag was hit to a stand-still. He was quite sick. He, however, milled as long as he was able, and Shelton received some heavy blows. In closing, both went down; but when time was called, the Giant could not answer the sound of the trumpet, and victory was declared for Shelton. It occupied about sixteen minutes. Shelton gave a dreadful back-handed facer in this round.
Remarks.—Shelton never took so much, nor fought better, if so well, throughout his pugilistic career. To say the least of it, if calculation or comparison can be admitted, it was a sort of “nothing venture, nothing win.” It proved successful, and, with the many-headed, that is the only touchstone of all exploits. Shelton not only gained the purse by the event, but raised himself highly in public opinion. He won by nothing else but his good fighting. Burn knew little about scientific boxing, but acted like a determined man. Both men were heavily punished. It ought not to be forgotten that Shelton had been acting as second to the Gas man, drinking porter, etc., and was called into action without any training, and under every disadvantage. A subscription was made upon the ground for Burn.
“Uncle Ben,” was much disgusted at this defeat of “cousin Bob,” and found a dozen excellent reasons why he ought not to have lost the fight, so that Bob was indulged with another “shy,” the money staked, and the day fixed for Tuesday, June 1st, 1819. Moulsey Hurst was once more the campus martius, and early on the Tuesday morning aforesaid “the lads wot love to see a fight” were in motion. Scarcely, however, had the cavalcade reached Hampton when it was clear from the whisperings of groups, and the ghastly smile on the face of more than one publican, that a screw was loose. The only anxiety now was where the mill was likely to take place. The circumstance of the removal was in consequence of the person who rented the ferry refusing the London watermen permission to exercise their occupation in ferrying the passengers over at the last fight, and also in having several of them fined for so doing; they, in turn, vowed revenge, went to the magistrates, and laid an information respecting the fight between Burn and Shelton. This conduct spoiled Moulsey, and Hounslow Heath was immediately substituted. Considerable betting occurred at all the sporting houses the preceding evening, and the Giant was decidedly the favourite, 6 and 7 to 4. The ring being formed at a little after one o’clock, Shelton appeared, followed by Cribb and Randall, and threw up his hat; and Burn, with his relative Ben Burn, and Donnelly, entered the ring. Burn threw his topper into the roped square to answer the challenge, but the wind blew it out to some distance. This trifling event was considered an unfavourable omen to “Hercules.” The odds now changed, and Shelton was the favourite, or rather it was even betting.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On stripping, Burn appeared in fine condition. Some sparring took place, and Shelton was rather cautious. The Giant at length let fly with his right on Shelton’s body, but it was slight. The latter returned a bodier with his left sharply, and immediately planted a tremendous facer that was heard over the ring, repeated it still harder, and the Giant went down like a log. (Great shouting.)
2.—The big one appeared a little confused, and he received another nobber. He now became furious, and made some hits; but Shelton repeated the dose severely, and Burn fell upon his face. (Greater shouting than before, and five to one on Shelton was offered.)
3.—The Giant made a desperate hit on the body, and otherwise stuck to Shelton; but the nobbing system was again adopted by the latter with success. In closing, both down, Shelton uppermost.
4.—This was a tremendous round, and the hitting upon both sides was terrific. Shelton undermost.
5.—The superior two-handed fighting of Shelton astonished the ring. He put in five facers so sharply, that Burn ran in after his adversary, and, in falling, hung by the ropes till down.
6.—Sharp exchanges, till Shelton hit down Burn. It was nothing but downright milling.
7.—Shelton hit the big one staggering away; he would not be denied, but returned furiously to the attack, and sent Shelton down. (“Well done, Burn; Shelton will soon be on the go.”)
8.—Shelton broke away in fine style, but in closing, the Giant fell upon him heavily.
9.—Shelton seemed at work at an anvil, and closed the left eye of his opponent. He was, however, undermost.
10.—Burn was hit almost to a stand-still; but he recovered, and hit Shelton down. It appeared almost impossible for Shelton to take the fight out of his opponent.
11.—Shelton had worked so hard that he seemed rather weak, and went down from a slight hit.
12.—The fine science of Shelton made the Giant quite foam again. He nobbed him and broke away with the utmost dexterity, while Gog kept passionately following Shelton, receiving at every step: the latter ultimately went down.
13.—This round rather alarmed the friends of Shelton; for, although the latter kept pegging away, he could not keep the Giant out. He seemed to defy punishment, and resolutely ran in; indeed, in closing, he not only fibbed Shelton severely, but, in struggling for the throw, positively lifted him half a foot from the ground, when, quite exhausted, both fell. (“Bravo! bravo!” from all parts of the ring; and “This is something like fighting.”)
14.—Gog plunged in to work, and Shelton was impelled forward and hung on the ropes; he, however, extricated himself, and the big one was undermost.
15 to 17.—The fighting was desperate in all these rounds; but Shelton, although getting weaker from his great exertions, kept the lead.
18.—The Giant ran in at Shelton, when the latter stopped him with such a nobber that he went down on his face.
19.—Burn was drunk from the nobbing he received, still he returned manfully to the charge, till both went down.
20.—Shelton’s face exhibited heavy punishment, but Burn’s head was terrific—it had been in chancery for the last ten minutes. The former ran himself down.
21.—The Giant went down from a hit like a shot. This blow was given in the body; the big one’s ogles rolled again, and his tongue lolled out of his mouth.
22.—It was astonishing to see the Giant recover and come to the scratch. Shelton had the worst of this round, and received some dreadful punishment. The odds wavering a little as Shelton went down.
23.—Shelton again down. (Even betting; some fears expressed for Shelton’s weakness.)
24 to 26.—Not safe to Shelton in all these rounds.
27.—A singular round. Both turned round and went down. (Two to one on Shelton.) In this round the latter was again lifted off his legs like a doll.
28.—This round was so well fought by Shelton, that Cribb roared out, “One hundred guineas to a farthing—it’s all right.”
29 and 30.—In favour of Shelton, but both distressed.
31.—Burn so hit that he dragged Shelton after him as he was falling.
32.—This was a well fought round; and notwithstanding the Giant was nobbed right away from his opponent, he recovered, and ran after Shelton, swinging his arms quite abroad, as it were, and accidentally hit his man down.
33.—Shelton got up angry, and was losing his temper, but his seconds warned him of his danger. He at length grew cool, became himself, fought scientifically, and by a tremendous facer floored his big opponent. (Great shouting; and “He’ll not fight another round.”)
34.—Notwithstanding the punishment the Giant had received, his peepers nearly darkened, his wind did not appear to be bad; and as for his game, he proved himself a glutton of the first mould. This was a sharp round and Shelton, to the astonishment of the ring, was hit down, although the Giant appeared quite done up the round before.
35.—The good fighting of Shelton now made it quite safe. He put in one, two, three so sharply on the mug of Burn, that he went down on his face in a state of stupor.
36.—The strength of Burn’s seconds could scarcely drag him up to place him on their knees. It was now Eclipse to a lame donkey; Gog was floored in a twinkling.
37 and last.—Burn was hit down like a shot, and could not come again. It occupied thirty-two minutes and ten seconds. Burn was so dreadfully beaten that it was some minutes before he was made sensible, and carried out of the ring.
Remarks.—Shelton proved himself this day a superior fighter. He hit with both hands with a facility that astonished all the amateurs; and it was thought that not one on the list, of his weight, could cope with him. He evinced great game, and was in fine condition. Burn, too, behaved manfully in the extreme; more real courage was never witnessed.
Shelton was now matched against Benniworth, the Essex Champion, for fifty guineas a-side, at Southend, on Friday, June 25, 1819, to fight on that day six weeks. A deposit of £20 a-side was also put down. In consequence of an accident, which Shelton met with at a dinner given to Bob Gregson, at the Maid and Magpie, St. Catherine’s, on Tuesday, June 29, it was thought he must not only have forfeited to Benniworth, but that he never would have been able to enter the Prize Ring again. The artery of his right arm was cut across with a rummer. Two surgeons immediately dressed the wound, and he recovered in a very short time; but the friends of Benniworth preferred forfeiting the deposit of £20, to risking the event of a contest.
A match of much interest was now made between Shelton and Tom Oliver (see Oliver, Period V.), and Thursday, December 23, 1819, named for the battle, Copthorne, twenty-eight miles from London, being the rendezvous. The day proved a deluge, and when the half-drowned wayfarers had reached Blindlow Heath, twenty-three miles from town, they found that the ring had been made there. The backers of Shelton protested against the fight taking place on this spot, to Gibbons, the ring-maker, as being not only contrary to the order given, but that it was swampy, and surrounded with puddles of water; that they should proceed to Copthorne, where Shelton had been moved the day preceding, and they left a communication for the commander-in-chief to that effect.
On the arrival of the latter gentleman at Blindlow Heath, he sent an express to Copthorne (which, however, did not arrive till twenty minutes before two o’clock), for Shelton to return and meet Oliver at the former place. Shelton declared he was ready to fight anywhere; but his backers firmly insisted that Copthorne was the place named, and only at Copthorne should he fight. Upon the return of the messenger to Blindlow, Oliver threw up his hat in the ring for Shelton to come forward; a ring was also formed at Copthorne, where Shelton waited till three o’clock for the arrival of Oliver, but without effect. Thus, singularly enough, there were two rings, but no fight. Kendrick and Sutton, a pair of “niggers,” however, sported their sable skins, and Sutton was the victor.
To return to Oliver and Shelton. The men and their friends met at Riddlesdown, and it was formally agreed to meet at Sawbridgeworth, which they did on the 13th January, 1820, when, after a desperate battle, full of fluctuations, Shelton was defeated in fifty-one minutes (See Oliver, post).
The particulars of Tom’s match with George Cooper, and his defeat at Moulsey, June 27, 1820, will be found in the memoir of George Cooper, ante, p. 314.
On Tuesday, August 18, 1820, at a place called Kit’s Cotty House, about three miles and a half from Maidstone, a purse of £20 was subscribed for a match between Shelton and a big navigator; but in consequence of the latter not appearing in the ring to “show fight” at the appointed time, £10 were given to Shelton.
Carter had been for a few months in Ireland, on a sparring tour, but, on his return, he did not seem much improved in purse or person by the trip. Finding himself in company with Shelton, at a sporting dinner, held at the Brown Bear, Bow Street, the Lancashire Champion spoke disparagingly of Shelton’s capabilities; some discussion followed, and twenty pounds being posted, Shelton replied to the boasting challenge by accepting it instanter. The affair was short, but by no means sweet to Carter, for Shelton beat him to a stand-still in three rounds only. This was on the 10th of July, 1821.
The renowned Josh. Hudson was next matched with our hero, for £100 a-side; the battle was decided at Harpenden Common, near St. Alban’s, on the 10th of December, 1822.
About a quarter before one, Josh. Hudson, stylishly dressed, with white silk hose, and his drawers on ready for action, threw his white topper into the ring with the confidence of a winning man, followed by his seconds, Randall and Tom Owen. He paced up and down the ring for a considerable time, when Shelton was called for, but he did not appear. At length Randall, rather out of temper, said, “It was an unmanly action to keep his man waiting so long in the cold; and if it was for his money he would take Hudson out of the ring.” Tom Cribb soon after showed himself, when Shelton was discovered crossing a wagon, followed by Tom Belcher as his second. Shelton, in a very cool manner, threw his hat into the ring, and immediately went up and shook hands with his opponent. The colours, blue for Shelton, were tied to the stakes by Belcher; and green, for Hudson, were tied over Shelton’s by Tom Owen. The odds had changed since the fight was made, and Hudson was decidedly the favourite.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—On stripping, Hudson never appeared in finer condition; but the judges of training observed he was at least a stone heavier than he ought to be. Shelton was a complete star; in fact, he could not be better. His attitude on setting-to was equal to any boxer ever seen in the prize ring. Hudson did not, as was expected, “go to work” sans ceremonie, but viewed his opponent with much caution, and Shelton was equally circumspect. The latter, however, made a feint with his right hand, which fell short; but this was merely a ruse de guerre for Josh to commence fighting. Hudson slightly touched Shelton’s ear, when he went in—a scramble occurred, but no blows took place. Both went down, and Shelton undermost. (Loud shouting from the East-enders, and six to four on Josh.)
2.—Shelton smiled, scratched his nob, and made himself well up for mischief; the result was, a little pepper on both sides on each other’s mugs, till Josh, by a severe hit on the top of Shelton’s nose, sent him off his balance, and he fell down on his left knee; but, with considerable game, he instantly jumped up to renew the charge. Hudson, however, thought he had done enough, and sat down on Randall’s knee. (“It’s safe as the bank,” said Owen; and the East-enders offered to back their hero to any amount.)
3.—Hudson was endeavouring to come ditto, but Shelton’s right hand stopped him. It was a severe round on both sides, till both went down, Hudson undermost.
4.—Shelton’s lip bleeding, showed the first blood, and Josh’s face was beginning to swell. The fine fighting of Shelton was conspicuous; but the youth and true courage of Hudson would not be denied; and although the latter napped dreadfully at every turn, he hit Shelton down. (There was a roar of roars from the Towerites, and two to one on Josh.)
5.—The fighting now was truly desperate on both sides; Shelton well-timed his opponent, and sent him staggering away by three repeated facers without any return; yet the goodness of Josh was so high that he finished the round in great style, and had Shelton again down.
6.—Josh’s face was now cut to pieces, and Shelton’s in a bad plight; both piping. The latter turned round from the severity of the hitting, but once more resumed fighting like a game cock till both down. (Shouting for Hudson.)
7.—Both terribly distressed, but Shelton down.
8.—This was a short round, but terrific from the execution done. Shelton nobbed Josh at every turn, and milled him down.
9.—Josh, like a game cock, disputed every inch of ground till he went down distressed beyond representation. (Still his sanguine friends considered him winning, and offered two to one.)
10.—In this round it might be termed “anybody’s battle;” but the courage on the one side, and the manliness on the other, exceeded all praise. Both down. (Five and six to one on Hudson.)
11.—Josh commenced fighting; but his terrific points were gone, and he began to hit round. Shelton planted three or four tremendous facers, the claret following every hit. Still Josh was dangerous. Shelton going down, quite exhausted, had the worst of the ending of the round. (The friends of Josh were sanguine enough to offer ten to one.)
12.—Both in the greatest distress till down.
13.—Shelton had the best of the fighting, but fell on his face exhausted, and Josh went down quite as bad. Still Josh was the favourite.
14 and last.—The fine fighting of Shelton rather gave him the lead; and as Josh was going down in a distressed state, so as to make it doubtful whether he might come again to the scratch, Shelton put in a tremendous blow under Josh’s ear, that rendered him insensible to the call of time. It was very doubtful if Shelton could have fought two more rounds. On the latter being placed on his second’s knee, he fell on the ground. It was over in rather less than fifteen minutes.
Remarks.—Such a manly battle had not been seen for several years. Hudson never fought half so well before. Had Hudson proved the conqueror, it was the intention of his friends to have backed him against the Gas Man for £500 a-side.
A second match with the John Bull Fighter ended in a forfeit, Hudson receiving £30.
It was declared by Shelton that he should never again appear in the P. R., and it would have been well for his pugilistic fame had he adhered to his resolution. Misfortunes, however, in business, had involved him, and at a meeting at the Ship, in Turnstile, a “big countryman” was mentioned, who could be backed for a cool hundred against anything in London. Shelton immediately declared his readiness to try the metal of the stranger, and hence his match with Brown, of Bridgnorth, wherein he was defeated, though not disgraced, as will be seen when we come to the memoir of that boxer.
Shelton had, during the whole of his career, been observed to be occasionally something more than eccentric; indeed, in 1812, he was indicted for assaulting a police-officer, who attempted to prevent him from committing suicide. On this occasion his defence was, that “Any man had a perfect right to hang himself!” His gambling propensities were also uncontrollable, and to this his misery may be traced. His propensity to self-destruction received a final and melancholy illustration, in the fact of his destroying himself, on the 21st of June, 1830, at the Ship, in Montague Court, Bishopsgate Street, by taking a dose of prussic acid. He was in his 43rd year.
