It’s no secret that fame and notoriety come with a high price, especially in the extremely competitive world of professional sports. Some handle it with grace, and are well remembered beyond their time for their highlights. Unfortunately, many others do not, and a few have even ended up committing unspeakable acts of horror. Billiards has largely been peaceful when compared to other sports, but this week we review the tale of one player whose story took a dark turn. A player who was driven to madness.
In the early years of the 1900s, in the famous W.P. Mussey’s pool hall of Chicago, the instructor Lanson W. Perkins was teaching a pupil by the name of Calvin Demarest a long bridge that he was sure would benefit players around the globe. Perkins drilled Demarest for almost a year on the fundamentals until finally Demarest was let loose to play in tournaments.
Demarest dominated the events. At his 1905 debut tournament at Mussey’s room, he won every game and made the highest run, single average, and general average. As his later matches would show, Perkin’s training had paid off. However, as Demarest picked up win after win, his relationship with Perkins would turn South. Demarest, known for having a hot temper, knew that he had surpassed his teacher and became frustrated with Perkins, leading to several quarrels and eventually their separation.
Over the next few years, Demarest would not only pick up wins but set new records as well. In 1907, he set a new record for 14.2 balkline billiards average. The next year, he achieved a high run of 168 in the national amateur 14.2 balkline billiards tournament, a new record. In 1909, Demarest would begin playing in professional tournaments.
At the professional level, Calvin Demarest’s style didn’t impress everyone. In his obituary, the Chicago Tribune noted,
although his play at times was brilliant, he did not advance consistently.
Covering his 1909 match against George Sutton, a writer for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle wrote,
Demarest played what is known as ‘crazy’ billiards… Demarest paid no more attention to tourney billiard standards than a non-competitor. He slammed the balls around, showed wonderful execution and was lucky.
Of particular note to the writer was Demarest’s confidence. He was making shots that no more skilled player would dare to even try.
Still, the crowd loved him for it. For each incredible jump shot he made, the audience cheered. Bookmakers at the event offered to back him against anyone in the world for $5,000. What’s more, he won. As the writer himself had to admit, George Sutton “had no chance.”
While he may have been doing well on the table, behind the scenes, Demarest was starting to crack. He began experiencing hallucinations, often featuring his wife, including one in which she robbed him. Demarest was not unaware of his troubles. He had discussed retirement from the world of billiards, bringing up the possibility of making a new life for himself somewhere quiet.
Unfortunately, he never got the chance. On June 16, 1915, he snapped. Calvin Demarest, using a pocket knife with a 2” blade, stabbed his wife repeatedly in the throat, seriously wounding her. He then turned the knife on himself, and tried, unsuccessfully, to slit his own throat. His mother, Ida, tried to restrain him. Luckily, she received only minor cuts to the hand.
The once-promising young star had suddenly come crashing down. Deemed unfit to stand trial, Demarest would spend the rest of his life at the Elgin Asylum for the insane. Though a false report of his death would come out the next year, he lived to be only 39, dying on June 12th, 1925.
Great story!!! Keep em coming
I agree, keep em coming. A short simple well written story will not only attact attention but will have you looking forward to others. This story did just that.
That is quite a story I do love the game and would like to be a better than average but getting craze is really not worth the pain
Wow
I agree with Steve Taylor. Great story and keep them coming. These are the unheard stories of the sport and should be told..
Very interesting! What happened with his wife ?
James, from what I can gather, she survived. Unfortunately, I really couldn’t find out anything else about her. Most of this story comes from newspaper clippings of the time, and the only one that mentioned her was the New York Times’ article on the stabbing, but even that didn’t refer to her by name. It would likely take a much more thorough search than I have time for now, but perhaps in the future I’ll pursue it.
Ah , young Calvin . I often wondered what happened to him ; now at long last I know.
While his premature billiards termination stunned many ; you only have to have a belief in the science of reincarnation… to see young Calvin Demarest playing again !…
“Paying no attention to tourney billiards standards ,…slamming the balls around ,…showing wonderful execution ,…and wowing the crowd at every shot ” ,… we have our very own beige wizard , Calvin.. Earl the Pearl.. Strickland.. Demarest .
Billiards / pool ain’t tiddly-winks and bridge folks , pool and billiards require strong character and a belief in SELF !
Yes indeed…you are right !
Love the story thank you
Est cell qui l on peut avoir une traduction en francais svp
Malheureusement, nous n’avons pas de français orateurs ici. Je vais essayer de résumer l’article avec l’aide de Google traducteur.
Un instructeur de billard nommé Lanson W. Perkins a enseigné à un jeune homme nommé Calvin Demarest. Perkins a souligné l’importance des principes fondamentaux, et avait également enseigné aux élèves à utiliser plus d’espace entre la main et la boule de repère. Ils ont travaillé ensemble pendant près d’un an.
Une fois que Perkins a décidé que Demarest était prêt, il a permis à Demarest de jouer dans un tournoi de 1905 dans une salle de billard de Chicago. Demarest a gagné chaque match, et a établi plusieurs records.
Demarest a continué à gagner des matchs facilement, mais son ego et son tempérament l’ont fait se retourner contre son professeur. Ils se sont battus et se sont finalement séparés.
Demarest avait un style de jeu unique. Il n’a pas impressionné tous les journalistes, mais la foule aimait le regarder jouer. Il est devenu un favori des fans.
Demarest n’a pas apprécié les projecteurs, et le stress d’être un joueur de billard célèbre a pris leur péage sur lui. Il a commencé à halluciner et a de graves problèmes de santé mentale.
Le 16 juin 1915, il attaque sa femme, la poignardant à la gorge à plusieurs reprises avec un petit couteau. Il a ensuite tenté de se suicider, mais a été retenu par sa mère.
Il a été envoyé à l’asile d’Elgin pour les fous, où il passera le reste de sa vie jusqu’à sa mort le 12 juin 1945.
Andrew
Great story! Keep them coming!!! 😎
Paranoid Schizophrenia. Rest in peace, you crazy diamond.
Great story!
Why hasn’t there been a movie made of this yet. This sounds better than the color of money!!!