HOGAN, THE WICKEDEST MAN IN THE WORLD***


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THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF BEN HOGAN

[Illustration: _BEN HOGAN._]


THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF BEN HOGAN, THE WICKEDEST MAN IN THE WORLD.

Containing a Full Account of His Thrilling and Remarkable
Experiences, Together with a Complete Report of His Triumphs in
the Prize Ring, and His Career in the Oil Regions, in The Far West,
and on the Sea.

Illustrated with over Twenty Engravings.

Written, Under Mr. Hogan's Immediate Supervision, by

GEORGE FRANCIS TRAINER.







Copyright, 1878, by Ben Hogan.




PREFACE.


The writer of these pages desires it understood that he has acted simply
in the capacity of an amanuensis for Mr. Ben Hogan. The statements,
opinions, incidents, revelations and views are all the latter gentleman's.

It should be further explained that Mr. Hogan, and no one else, is
responsible alike for the contents and publication of this volume.

This explicit statement is called forth by a sense of justice; for the
writer himself would be very loath to lay claim to any of the brilliancy,
wit, or delicacy in the choice of subjects which may be found in this
book. The honor of all these belongs exclusively to Mr. Hogan.

GEORGE FRANCIS TRAINER.




CONTENTS.


  CHAPTER I.

    Early Life--Arrival in America--How he Avenged the Robbery
    of his Father--Mysterious Disappearance of the Old Jew--In
    the House of Refuge--Seafaring Life--Beginning of his
    Boxing Career                                                     17

  CHAPTER II.

    A Remarkable Game of Poker, and What Came of it--Ben as a
    Pirate--Fast Life in New York--How he gave a Combination
    Show in Oswego                                                    29

  CHAPTER III.

    A Southern Trip--Experiences in New Orleans and Mobile--
    Three Men Put Under the Sod by Ben's Bullets                      39

  CHAPTER IV.

    Ben as a Spy in both the Union and Confederate Armies--The
    Buried Treasure--How he Fooled the Captain--At Port Royal
    and Newbern--Bounty-Jumping                                       45

  CHAPTER V.

    Ben in Canada--He goes West again--Adventures in
    Cincinnati, Nashville, and Louisville--How he Sold the
    <DW52> Troops--Sets out for the Oil Regions                      54

  CHAPTER VI.

    First Appearance in the Oil Country--Dance House in
    Pitthole--French Kate--Babylon House--Fight with Bob
    Donnelly--His Explanation in Court of the Character of his
    House                                                             62

  CHAPTER VII.

    Attempt to Rob Ben--How he became a Minister and Married a
    Couple--A Jolly Wedding--French Kate Jealous                      76

  CHAPTER VIII.

    Attempt to Murder Ben in Babylon--He Shoots a Man and is
    Arrested--Frightens the Witnesses and Prevents Perjury--Is
    Acquitted                                                         82

  CHAPTER IX.

    Leaves Oil Country--In Saratoga--Arrested on False
    Reports--Goes back to Tidioute--In Rochester--First
    Meeting with Cummings                                             86

  CHAPTER X.

    The Gymnasium Business--Life in Rochester--First Meeting
    of Hogan and Tom Allen--A Disgraceful Affair                      94

  CHAPTER XI.

    How Ben Treated the Deputy Sheriff--Annie Gibbons, the
    Pedestrian--Ben goes to Pittsburgh and Meets Mr. Green           102

  CHAPTER XII.

    Ben in St. Louis--First Entree into Parker's Landing--
    Opens a Free-and-Easy--Trouble with the Authorities              113

  CHAPTER XIII.

    The "Floating Palace"--A Wonderful Institution--The Girls
    and the Patrons--Scenes of Revelry--How Nights were
    Passed--The Loss of the "Palace"                                 118