Rough & Tumble Spotlight by Mark Hatmaker

"Big Jim"

In the grand ol’ crazy days of New York, competitive fire mustering was a thing.

Essentially it was whoever could get to a fire first would win the contract. Fires were frequent [as was a bit of serendipitous arson] and the competitions were not friendly.

Many fire departments recruited from less than savory elements to give the upper hand in jockeying for superior mustering position.

One such element was Jim Jeroloman, AKA “Big Jim.”

Big Jim was a 6’4” shipbuilder and boxer with earrings that dangled to shoulders—which he removed for musters.

Although a big man with what are described as heavy hands, he still relied on other tools of the rough and tumble trade—he was a noted biter.

Post one scuffle, his opponent complained of all the biting, once he peeled off his shirt over half a dozen bitemarks were found on his shoulders.

[Details on bite-targeting and unusual jaw-strengthening in upcoming RAWs.]

Big Jim complained that he would never go far in boxing because it denied him his best tools: biting, kicking, and eye-gouging.

We’ll discuss his compadre Orange County another day.

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