SNIPPET: John MORRISSEY, born Templemore, Tipperary, in February 1831, was raised by an immigrant Irish family in Troy, NY. He became a one-man symbol for the way in which the Irish used the available social structure to at first shock and then replace the old-stock ruling elites in America. As a young man in the Hudson River city of Troy, he was a barroom brawler whose fists were fast enough to earn him fame as a heavyweight champion. From the saloon and the ring, MORRISSEY grabbed the next available rung and used his fame as a fighter to win election as a congressman from NY, and from that position he became an owner of racehorses and a gambling saloon in Saratoga. His background, with its aroma of sweat, liquor, and cigar smoke, confirmed every artistocrat's image of the emerging Irish-American politician. But he was wildly popular, ever more so when it became known that he had been turned away at Troy's city hall by a newly-installed mayor who insisted that visi! tors first present their cards. MORRISSEY had no card, but he showed up at city hall next time in formal dress, feigning an interest in speaking French, since, he pointed out, that was now the style at city hall. John MORRISSEY got his nickname "Old Smoke" from a battle against a Native American named Tom McCANN. MORRISSEY, was pinned on his back over burning coals from a stove that had been knocked over in the bout. Although smoke and the smell of burning flesh wafted through the air, he continued to fight. John didn't have many fights but did go on to win the Heavyweight Championship of America in October of 1852 at Boston Corners, NY, on the border of MA and NY against "Yankee SULLIVAN" (James AMBROSE, alias Frank MURRAY). SULLIVAN apparently won the fight but left the ring and ignored the "time" call so the referee declared MORRISSEY the winner. John upheld his Heavyweight title to Troy-native John C. HEENAN (Benicia Boy) in October of 1858 at Long Point, Canada. HEENAN broke his right hand early on in the fight, which brought a disadvantage. MORRISSEY gave up the heavyweight championship and retired from the ring. Although a strong, tough fighter, he was said to have lacked boxing quickness of judgement. As stated, MORRISSEY became a prominent politician, serving two terms in the U. S. Congress and twice in the NY State Senate. He is probably best know for creating the Saratoga Racetrack and gambling operations in the 1860s-70s and was a pioneer in using the newly-invented telegraph to make betting available to everyone. He died in the Adelphi Hotel in 1878 at the age of only 47, just after winning an important NYC election and was buried in Saratoga. The New York State Legislature closed on the day of his burial and the entire elected body attended the funeral services in Troy. An estimated crowd of 12,000 stood outside the church to pay tribute to the American Champion. He was elected to the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954.