Boxing legend Dempsey topic of museum lecture

by Sharlene Irete

R-C People Editor

Reno Gazette-Journal writer Guy Clifton tells the story of heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey and his connections with Nevada during a free presentation, 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville.

"Most people are surprised to learn how much time Dempsey actually spent in Nevada," said Clifton. "He came here when he was 19 and had contact with the state for much of the rest of his life and he lived to be 87.

"He owned a home in Reno, stayed often at the Cal-Neva at Crystal Bay, fought in Tonopah, Goldfield and Ely, trained in Midas and promoted a sports carnival in Las Vegas in the 1930s."

In researching his book, "Dempsey in Nevada," Clifton got material from old newspaper stories, autobiographies and other books about the popular boxer who held the world heavyweight title from 1919-1926.

"It took a lot of digging through a large amount of material," he said. "Sometimes I felt like a gold miner finding these little nuggets of information."

Dempsey was married four times and all of his wives had Nevada connections. Clifton said he will discuss details of Dempsey's life that include treachery, divorce, marriage and secrecy.

"Many people today may not realize how famous Dempsey was in his day," Clifton said. "Time and revisionist history have minimized him somewhat, but he was as big as any sports star of his time, including Babe Ruth."

Clifton's lecture includes a slide show. Copies of "Dempsey in Nevada" are available in the museum's bookstore.

The free lecture series is sponsored by the Douglas County Historical Society the second Thursday of the month at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 Highway 395, Gardnerville.

The museum and the Main Street Bookstore will be open before and following the one-hour lecture. Information, 782-2555.