For five weeks he remained with Rumsey, at the latter’s hotel, and had altogether a jolly time of it. He gave a number of sparring exhibitions at this time, the last of which was held in Sandusky. Ben fell in love with so many girls during his sojourn in Birmingham, and took unto himself so many wives, after the Brigham Young fashion, that it finally became necessary for him to get out of town.
He proceeded at once to Detroit, and there fell in with McLaughlin, who was stopping at Martindale’s Hotel, preparing for his match with the Butcher Boy of Ypsilanti. Ben became McLaughlin’s trainer, and remained with him six weeks. Of all the men whom he had ever had under his charge, he found McLaughlin the most perfect specimen of muscular development. He could bear training better than anybody Hogan had ever met, and his powers of endurance were simply marvelous. Up to that time, McLaughlin had never been trained under two hundred and forty pounds. Ben brought him down to two hundred and fifteen, and there was not a muscle in his entire body which did not show. A number of physicians called to examine him, and they united in pronouncing him a model of physical strength. It maybe added that Ben found McLaughlin a thorough gentleman, as well as an ideal athlete.
Ben, in company with McLaughlin and Schmidt, went from Detroit to Toledo, and in the latter city gave an exhibition of wrestling and boxing. They afterwards returned to Detroit, where Ben separated from McLaughlin, and made arrangements with Johnny Donaldson, of Cleveland, to spar for one week in the Theatre Comique, for which they received two hundred dollars. Ben found Donaldson to be an expert and clever boxer.
Our hero next proceeded to Ypsilanti to see Martin, the Butcher Boy, making the trip one of pleasure rather than of business. He happened to fall in with Mixer, and was induced to become the latter’s trainer for his match with Holcomb. This match came off in the Grand Rapids Opera House, and was a most stubbornly contested battle, lasting fully five hours. Holcomb was the winner, but it should be said that Ben had Mixer in hand only about a week, and previous to that time the man had little or no attention.
TRAINING McLAUGHLIN IN DETROIT, MICH.
After the wrestling match, Ben remained for some time in Grand Rapids, opening a gymnasium, and delivering lectures through the country villages on “Physical Culture.” His recollection of Grand Rapids is altogether pleasant. He found the citizens of the place cordial in their support of his undertaking, and he formed many acquaintances, which he will always cherish warmly. The gymnasium became popular, and Ben himself was a universal favorite. He made the Sweet House his headquarters, and found it altogether one of the best-conducted hotels at which he had ever stopped.
Among the many incidents which occurred during Ben’s residence in Grand Rapids was one which became the talk of the town. Perhaps I cannot do better than reproduce the account given by the Grand Rapids Times. This is what the Times said:
“Ben Hogan had on his clerical suit yesterday. Arrayed in this dress, Hogan bears a striking resemblance to a minister of the Gospel, and has frequently been taken as such. He wore, in addition to the high-buttoned waistcoat, a standing collar, and, with his saintly air, looked more than ever like a chosen disciple. Standing on Monroe street, yesterday afternoon, with a book (“Professor Wood on Gymnastics”), about the size of a common Bible, under his arm, and a copy of the Times in his hand, he was approached by a stranger, and saluted. The stranger was similarly dressed, and proved to be a minister in charge of a small parish in an adjoining town.
“He expressed his pleasure at meeting with a brother and co-worker in the cause, remarking that he was a stranger in the city, and intimating that he was willing to be entertained at the home of the Rev. Dr. Hogan. Ben, who has become tired of explaining so many times that his vocation lies in another direction than that of the holy profession, permitted him to remain in blissful ignorance of his true character, and finally invited him to visit his library.