Jack Johnson related articles from 1909

The following articles were mined from a New York newspaper titled 'The World' between the dates of February 4, 1909 thru May 25, 1909:

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• February 13, 1909 ‘The World’ (New York)
Johnson’s Defi to Jeffries and All Other Men.
He Will Meet Any Ambitious Fighter Any Place Where Sufficient Inducements May Be Offered.
His Message Cabled On Eve of Sailing.
Intimation, However, It May Be Year Before He’ll Accommodate Any One
“I am willing to fight James J. Jeffries, Tommy Burns or any other man alive, in England, America, Australia or any other part of the civilized world where sufficient inducements are offered.”

This was the farewell message of Jack Johnson, the champion heavyweight pugilist, on the eve of his departure for Sydney to catch a steamer that will take him across the Pacific en route to the United States. A fight for the championship, however, must be deferred for some months, as it is Johnson’s purpose first to fulfill a theatrical engagement in London and go on for a limited round bout before the National Sporting Club in that city with Sam Langford.

Johnson said he was out for business and barred nobody from seeking to take from him the honors he wrested from Burns at Sydney on Dec. 26 last. Johnson leaves here tomorrow for Sydney to catch the steamer Makura, which will said next Monday for Vancouver, at which port she is due about March 12. From Vancouver Johnson will proceed to Galveston, Tex., where he will spend a week with his parents.

“I will do no boxing or other business in the United States when I arrive there, and I have given no authority for the statement that has been published that I will then fight Stanley Ketchel,” Johnson said. “I understood that Jeffries had definitely said that he never again would re-enter the ring. If, however, Jeffries has decided to accept the purse of $75,000 offered by Sam Allen, of Melbourne, for a match in Australia with me, I am willing to return here in twelve months’ time and give him a chance to win the title he once held.

“I have arranged to reach London the first week in April, and probably immediately will commence my music hall engagements. The contest between Langford and myself before the National Sporting Club has been provisionally fixed for Derby night, but the date will not be definitely determined until I arrive in London.

“I am out for business all the time as the people of England will find out when I reach there.”

• February 15, 1909 ‘The World’ (New York)
Seattle’s Purse of $200,000 is Awaiting Jeff.
Johnson Will Accept the Rich Offer, and Only Signature of the Big Fellow is Needed, It is Said.
Even the Loser Would Realize a Big Sum.
Western Promoters Assert Offer is a Bona Fide One and Profitable Deal.

Seattle, Wash., Feb. 15 – The offer of a guaranteed purse of $200,000 for a world’s championship battle in this city between Jim Jeffries and Jack Johnson was made in good faith. It is a business without equally as it is a sporting proposition. Let Jeffries wire acceptance and within 24 hours there will be deposited in a bank that amount payable to the order of the referee.

This was a statement made today by a responsible man connected with the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition, who added that all that Seattle wanted was to be the scene of the mill. He had no doubt that Johnson would be willing to sign the agreement, and he did not believe that Jeffries would feel he could afford to neglect such opportunity for fortune.

Jeff Wants to Sell Farm
The fact that Jeffries a fortnight ago put his alfalfa farm at Burbank, California, on the market indicated a desire to return to his old life, and it was this that induced the promoters in this city to raise their original offer of $125,000 to $200,000. The gate returns of the Burns-Johnson battle in Australia showed others there would be at least some small margin of profit even with an offer of $150,000, and it was argued that such a meeting would necessarily have coupled with the attraction of the Exposition, there would be no deficit at even the extraordinary figure of $200,000.

What might be the disposition of the purse is to the relative shares of the winner and loser will be left to the fighters themselves, thought it probably would be either 70 percent, and 30 percent, or 60 and 40. In the former event it would mean $140,000 to one and $60,000 to the other, and in the latter $120,000 to the winner and $80,000 to the loser.

Big Purse Even For Loser
In any event, exclusive of royalties from moving pictures, the loser’s end would exceed anything ever gained by any pugilist in any battle in this country. When Jeffries beat Corbett the second time he got $82,728 and his next largest emolument was when he received as his end of the Sharkey mill $______? (illegible)

Johnson got only $30,000 for his fight with Burns, and, so far as reasonably reliable records go, his next biggest receipt was $8,000 for his go with Squires. Both men could forego many of their theatrical engagements for the princely price offered with the perfect knowledge that success would mean later employment at largely enhanced salaries.

Only Needs Jeff’s Word
It is confidently believed here that only the acceptance of Jeffries is necessary. Johnson has recently realized the luxury of comparative wealth and his signature is believed to be as good as got. Indeed, it is said here today that the Negro was approached in Melbourne by an agent of the local promoters, and that it was the knowledge of this offer which induced him to issue his sweeping defi on Thursday last.

 

• March 2, 1909 ‘The World’ (New York)
Jeff Not Ready To Say If He’ll Fight Johnson.
Big Fellow Denies in Chicago Report that He Said He Would Challenge the Black Champion.
He Wants to Know How Hard He Can Go.
Will Talk Definitely Only When He Learns Whether He is the Jeff of Old.

Chicago, March 1 – That James J. Jeffries is still the most popular fighter in the United States was proved this afternoon when the police had to be summoned to clear the streets about the Sherman House, where the big fellow took refuge after his arrival at noon.

Jeff had considerable difficulty making his way into the building, where he was besieged with interviewers anxious to find out if he really intended to enter the ring again to fight Jack Johnson. The former champion said:

“The interview in which I am represented as saying that I had decided to meet Jack Johnson and that I thought it was up to me to retrieve the honor of the white race and all that rot was a simple fabrication. I never said anything of the sort.

“It would be foolish of me to make any such assertion until I know just what my actual condition is and whether I can be the fighter of the past once more. I am now trying to learn just how far I can go and what shape I can train into. Not till that is definitely settled to my own satisfaction one way or the other will I make a definite authorized statement as to my boxing plans.”

Got a Fine Reception
The huge ex-champion reached the Northwestern depot just before noon. He must have been flattered at the reception he was given by an enormous crowd.

The big fellow reiterated his denial of the Omaha interview and called upon Sam Berger to corroborate him. Sam, the same handsome youth who once thought he was sure to be the next champion, and who is now content to spar with Jeffries as a partner, told things more fluently than Jim, for Sam was ever a ready talker. He used to sell neckties and had to talk fast in that profession.

“The interview,” said Sam, “was coined by the interviewer. He did all the talking, advising Jeff in fatherly fashion and did everything but assume his actual management during the conversation. Jeff was tired and not especially talkative. ‘You should go get the money, Jim,’ said the talker. ‘Um,’ said Jim. ‘You can whip this black fellow,’ he went on. ‘Um,’ said Jim. ‘In a few months you will be ready to defend the honor of the white race, and the American public calls on you to do it,’ he continued. ‘Um,’ said Jim. In short, he made himself interview himself as he went along. Jim never once said in actual words that he could or would not do any special thing.”

Wants to Know Himself
“It’s this way with me,” said Jeffries. “I cannot say that I will fight, and at this stage of the game I suppose I should not say I won’t. But I positively will not make a binding statement till I know I am fit and right. Good, steady training, boxing on the road, correct living. If I find that these things put me right and I seem to have all the strength and speed I used to own, I can talk. Not till then. I would be foolish,” and the big fellow stretched his great bulk with an amiable yawn.

Dan Stuart will be up from Hot Springs and will have a talk with Jeff. Stuart things that he, if any one, can get Jeff to come out of his spell and agree to battle.

One thing is sure, as a glance at the big fellow will show. He is no soak, full of California steam beer or other desoctions, nor has a lazy life made him into a paunchy giant. He is simply a big, very big man, but the surplus flesh should vanish, while his face is already far from puffy. In short, Jeffries today is the Jeffries of the old time between fights. He is not the grizzly bear of the ring – that will take months to bring back – but neither is he the hippo of the game. He is also wise and refuses to be a goat until he feels his way further.


• March 3, 1909 ‘The World’ (New York)
Jeff Arrives in New York Today.
Daddy of All Scrappers to be Given Great Reception by Sporting Clubs.

If you happen to be in the neighborhood of Forty-second street and Fourth avenue this morning at about 9:30 o’clock – but what’s the use? Of course you’ll be there! Everybody will. Isn’t that where Grand Central Station is located? And isn’t James J. Jeffries, the daddy of all scrappers of all weights, sizes and colors, due to arrive at aforesaid Grand Central Station at 9:30 a.m. today?

He is.

And practically every club in this city that has any affiliation with sports has arranged to have a delegation meet the retired heavyweight champion of the world when he steps from the platform of the Twentieth Century Limited. It will undoubtedly be the greatest reception ever given to a visiting pugilist.

Comes on Peaceful Mission
And at that Jeff doesn’t come here to fight. His mission is merely the peaceful gathering of $50,000 in return for which he will play a twenty weeks theatrical engagement. By the way, that is exactly as much as the President of these glorious United States receives for a year’s work, and Jeff will make it in much less than half a year.

Besides the inevitable brass band of innumerable pieces backed up by hardy German citizens with accents, there will be a crowd of “Mercury Feet” from the New York A.C., fifty strong under the leadership of Prof. Mike Donovan and Col. Harry Perry Disbecker, and similar representations from the National A.C. of Brooklyn, the Fairmount A.C., the Sharkey A.C., Marathon A.C., Bedford A.C. and Brown’s Gymnasium.

To give the reception the necessary backbone, P.J. Conway, president of the Irish-American A.C., and his lusty men of the Winged Fist will be on hand.

The Indoor Reception
Then the triumphal procession will move, if traffic isn’t entirely blocked by this time, over to the offices of Billy Morris, at No. 1440 Broadway, where an indoor reception will be held. Jeff will appear under the exclusive management of Morris in this theatrical campaign.

Manager Jim Buckley, of the Sharkey A.C., has offered Jeffries the use of the club’s gymnasium for training purposes, and the big fellow has accepted the offer. He will train daily at the clubhouse, and will be at the ringside when the bouts are held tomorrow night.

Small article just below above:
“I’m Trying to be Honest.” – Jeff
Special to The World
Chicago, March 2 – Before boarding a train for New York at 2:30 P.M. today Jim Jeffries said: “I’m trying to be honest with everybody. It wouldn’t be exactly honest to tell folks I was going to fight, if I had any doubt about my ability to make good. Nor would it be right to say I wouldn’t fight when the money is there and the public is calling for me. Three months from now I can answer all the questions far better than now – that’s all. Getting into condition is the task.”

 

• March 4, 1909 – The World (New York)
Great Crowd Cheers The Only Jeffries.
He Arrives on the 20th Century Limited and Promptly Turns in the Direction of Good Eats.
By William P. McLoughlin

The President-elect of the United States, Mr. William H. Taft, came into New York a few weeks ago and a staid delegation of six men met him. Mr. W.J. Bryan, the people’s perennial choice for President of the greatest country in all the world, came her in the swirl of the last turbulent political campaign and a few Democrats – some of the few left in this town- with a couple of the old-time “discontents” – were lined up as he stepped from his car.

Those events were of great national and international significance.

I witnessed yesterday the most amazing illustration of the fact that while Presidents and would-be Presidents are great factors in our public life there are other events that have their own nationally strong appeal.

For instance, I saw James J. Jeffries, a boilermaker by trade, arrive at the Grand Central Depot at 9:30 yesterday morning, and the streets around were jammed with a picturesque mass of people so tightly that the few busy traffic squad policemen in the vicinity were literally swept off their feet.

There were 5,000 persons around the Grand Central Depot if there were ten. I wouldn’t lay a bet on the accuracy of the estimate, because I never knew two men to agree on the numerical proportions of a crowd.

Now the curious thing about this story is the fact that the people did not come to see Jeffries, the boilermaker. They wanted to see James J. Jeffries, the only heavyweight white man who is now in the boxing lists and who is eligible to recover from Jack Johnson, the Negro, the lost laurels that typical the championship of the world.

On Board with Jeffries
I board “26” bound to New York City, at Albany at 6:30 yesterday morning. “26” is the railroad designation for the Twentieth Century Limited of the New York Central Lines. I heard around Albany that the people going to the factories where a minute is a unit of “aluable” time usually set their watches by “26.” Hereafter I am prepared to take the Bible oath on it because it arrived on the dot at Albany. It was a minute and a half ahead of time at Forty-second street.

Jeff wasn’t in his sleeper the entire night. Not he. There were with him besides his wife his sparring partner, Sam Berger; Mr. and Mrs. William Morris and a strange, weird Westerner with a notebook. I am sure he is set on writing a novel or a ten-cent magazine story. I don’t know which. But he took an awful lot of notes and was curious, was this Western fellow.

Now get ready for the great question, “Will Jeff fight Johnson?”

That’s the last thing Jeff wants to talk about. He told me about duck shooting in Catalina, which is somewhere in the Golden West. He said things about fishing and the size of the fish he caught that brought shamefaced blushes to my cheeks for not knocking him ever in the midst of his awful revel of prevarication.

And occasionally I would try to steal one over. I said: “Jeff, all your pals in New York want to get just a suggestion of what you are going to do on the Johnson question.” Jeff would puff a cigar and the literary Western chap would whip out his notebook and write like the very dickens.

Now, Here’s What He Says
Jeff, calmly, serenely, somewhat tired of the question said, as he waved the man with the notebook in the direction of Boston:

“I won’t make a fool of the public or of myself. I won’t say now that I will meet this – Johnson – but if in the course of a few months I am near what I consider good condition I will take the chance under advisement of my manager and make public my plans. Maybe I will go into the ring again. Maybe ____ (illegible). But let me say nobody can talk for me on that line.”

I said: “Jeff, there will be an awful crowd waiting for you in New York – Is there anything more definite you want to give them?”

Jeff looked at me and said: “I ain’t got a wish in reference to this ______ (illegible). A fellow out in Omaha said I told him I was going to lick the ******. I never said it. I wouldn’t say it because I am a man who doesn’t gloat over any little thing that I have done. The Omaha fellow must have been stewed.”

His Arm Is All Right
“What’s this I hear about you having charley horse in the right arm?” I asked.

“What? Charley horse? None of that in mine. My right arm is all to the good,” and he raised his ponderous fist to show he was there with the goods.

“And look here,” he said with a ***** look in his eyes. “I weigh just 245 pounds. I haven’t smoked cigarettes and I haven’t dissipated. I can go along nicely for some time on the route I am now going and I can keep conditioned. I may not need to meet this ******. I want to say that if I should announce right now that I would go in the ring with him and then fail to reach the training condition that would make me feel I was right the public would put me down as a faker. I would rather go in the ring and take a chance to be knocked out then be considered a confidence man.”

Mrs. Jeffries is a Harlem flatter. I didn’t know that when I was busy pointing out from the dining car as it scudded into Manhattan the various points of interest along a wonderfully interesting route until she suddenly said: “There’s Highbridge - how I used to love as a child to roll down the fields around that old place. It is not beautifully terraced. Too bad! They got away from nature.

Morris Has a Venture
William Morris, the theatrical Bona-(illeg.), who has signed up Jeffries for a twenty weeks session at $2,500 a week spoke up just a little. Mrs. Jeffries grew poetic and said: “I live right across the Harlem River from that point – between the two hills.”

There are an awful lot of hills up there. So Morris was saved the necessity of pointing out his home.

Police reserves, the traffic squad, private detectives and others figure in what is left of this story, but their functions were clearly mapped out and thoroughly carried out. Traffic was stopped on Forty-second street and along Madison avenue when Jeff stepped out of his parlor car. The photographers met him. Reporters swarmed on him. He would not budge a bit on news on the main point, but he got off a fine fresh joke.

Mrs. Jeffries wore a heliotrope gown and hat. A fair-haired young reporter stepped up to her in the midst of the jam on Forty-second street and said:

“What is the color of your dress, please?”

“Green,” said Jeff. And it went at that.

 

• March 9, 1909 ‘The World’ (New York)
Ex-Champ Is a Big Hit in Star Vaudeville Stunt.
Lincoln Square Crowded with Enthusiasts Who Watch Him Go Through His Paces.
Surprised at Speed and Agility he Shows.
Skips the Rope, Punches a Bag and Does Some Shadow Boxing.
By William P. McLoughlin

I saw James J. Jeffries, the cynosure of the white race, go through his physical exercises at Blaney’s Lincoln Square Theater last night. I saw him skip the rope. It wasn’t an extremely artistic effort. The Cinder Sisters, at thirty per, have him beaten from here to Yukon on evolutionary heel and toe effects with the skipping rope. But it showed that he was mighty quick on the hoof. The longing to get knowledge in that line, please you, merry gentlemen, was largely what drew the crowd of white Americans to the Lincoln Square Theater yesterday afternoon and evening, and will undoubtedly keep drawing them for the rest of the big fellow’s engagement. They want to know how good Jim is.

Jeffries did some other gymnasium work, such as throwing the medicine ball, pulling levers and pushing springs and things. These did not impress me. Then he gave an exhibition of stomach exercises which was the most convincing part of the program. Seated on a stool he reached backward several times touching the stage with his massive head and raised himself at will by sheer force of the abdominal muscles. He seemed to like this part of his work. So did the crowd, because it showed that he is absolutely lacking of the much dreaded paunch.

The Boxing Was Interesting
Jeff then boxed there or four rounds with Sam Berger, his sparring partner. There was not a lot of excitement in this part of the program, because Jim was merciful indeed. But he tapped and he jabbed and he swung and he crossed and he countered and always reached the spot he wanted, but, oh, so lightly – for Sam’s sake. The rounds were teasingly short, but what could one expect with a reporter holding the watch and that was what the little sketch in which all this was brought out gave one to understand.

Jeffries went on at the matinee yesterday – the first time, he has been seen here since he smashed up Mr. Thomas Sharkey, of Duandaik. He didn’t attract a great rush of interested spectators after the exploit that sank the sailor. He was simply a victor. Jeffries now is the repository of a yearning of a race which longs to assert its supremacy. So it is that he is the magnet of the hour, drawing an enormous salary for an extraordinary period for spending about ten minutes a night on the stage.

No Clouts, But Clever Work
When Jeffries came on at the matinee performance yesterday, the bout arranged for between Berger and himself was ordered cut out by the police. Mr. Morris who has engaged Jeffries, suggested that they go through he sparring stunt as sort of educational exhibition, and on his premise that no clouts would pass back or forth – only feints and shifts, honest, you know – he got through with the afternoon session.

At the night performance he was prepared to comply with the exact demands of the law. A lightning play writer – a woman – was secured. She wrote a sketch of the “While-I’m-a-waiting-for-my-sweetheart-I-will-sing-you-that-old-time-song,” etc. style. IT wasn’t quite as bad as that exactly, and I stood for it because it gave us Jeff in boxing attitude, and I understand the author had a terrible headache. Which shows that it is a severe strain to comply with all the laws.

I thought Jeffries would hasten to his dressing room after his session on the stage. He didn’t. He picked up in an awkward sort of way a great big bunch of flowers that was tagged from Billy Gibson, of the Fairmount Club. He handed them to Mrs. Jeffries, who occupied a box with Mrs. Morris and Dr. and Mrs. Weiss. Then he disappeared.
Exercising After Performance
I looked for him in vain. Messengers were sent to scout for him. No one could dig him up. Suddenly, the stage manager came into the star dressing room and said:

“Mr. Jeffries is exercising.”

“Where?” was the chorus.

“Back of the stage,” was the reply.

Sure enough, there he was between the last drop scene and the rear wall, and he was shadow boxing for all he was worth. He was toe stepping, upper cutting, right leading, cross cutting and short jabbing at a fearsome rate, paying no attention to the gaping stage hands who watched him perspire until the very boards on which he worked were running wet.

Plainly Jeff wants to reach some sort of condition that he has framed in his mind is necessary.

Later I saw him stripped in his room. He is in almost perfect ring shape.

I am a poor man. I never bet on a fight or a race. But I would not take Johnson’s chance for a million if Jeffries faces him – even as the Californian looked to me last night.

 

• March 10, 1909 ‘The World’ (New York)
“I’m Willing To Fight Jeffries” – Jack Johnson
Champion Says He Will Insist on a Loser’s End in Any Battle Fought for the Championship.
“I Am The Champion and Will Dictate Terms.”
“Notices All Say What Jeff Will Take – What’s the Matter with What I’ll Take?”

Victoria, B.C., March 9 – Jack Johnson, the heavyweight champion pugilist, with his white wife, a former Philadelphian woman, who threw in her lot with him after his fight at Sydney, and Sam Fitzpatrick, who is no longer manager of the big black champion, having severed relations with him, arrived this morning by the Canadian Pacific-Australian steamer Makura from Syndey.

Johnson unreservedly declared his willingness to meet Jeffries or any other man. In an interview just before leaving for Vancouver Johnson said:

“I am willing to meet Jeffries. I am willing to meet any man in the world, and I do not think anyone can get a decision over me, much less put me out. It tires me to hear this talk about Jeffries claiming the championship. Why, when a Mayor leaves office he’s an ex-Mayor, isn’t he?

“When a champion leaves the ring he’s an ex-champion. If Jeffries wants to try and get the championship back I’m willing to take him on.

“In all the notices I have seen about a fight between us it is what Jeffries will take. What is the matter with what Johnson will take? I’m the champion ain’t I? I want a winner and loser end. I don’t care what it is – 60 and 40 or 75 and 25, but there’s got to be a winner and loser’s end. That’s how I met Burns.

“Jeff Must See Me”
“If Jeffries wants a go, as the papers say, he’s got to see me and there’s got to be a winner’s and loser’s end.”

It is doubtful, according to the arrangements made by Johnson, whether any fight could be brought on with Jeffries or any other man within six months. While his plans are not absolute, he hinted at a willingness to change them if anything big was hung up for a match with Ketchel.

Johnson intends to devote several months to a theatrical engagement, having signed with a syndicate in England for the London halls, and after an English tour to visit France and Germany.

Johnson will leave the Makura at Vancouver and proceed tomorrow morning to Chicago, arriving there Saturday. He will continue his journey to Galveston on Monday arriving at his Texas home on Wednesday.

When his attention was called to the Galveston dispatch announcing the formation of committees to arrange a parade at Galveston, his eyes sparkled and he showed his gold tipped teeth with a grin and said:

“Tell them I’ll be there.”

Asked whether he intended to arrange a match with Ketchel he said everything depends on the offers. It was doubtful though, he said, if anything could be brought off until after this theatrical tour.

Interested in Jeff
Johnson was much interested in Jeffries condition. To an interviewer he said with emphasis:

“I am willing to fight Jeffries or any other man.”

Johnson was asked regarding the story told in New York by Gorge Bar-(rest illegible), an Australian sporting man, that before the fight at Sydney Johnson and his manager, Fitzpatrick, received an offer of $(illegible) in cash to throw the fight to Burns, but they turned the proposal down. The champion said:

“I don’t think that’s right. I don’t know what they might have wanted to do but you see they were afraid to come near me and – well I don’t think that’s right.”

Then I wanted to send him some silk socks, but he wouldn’t take them. I told him that men in America worth millions went to public hospitals, but he didn’t seem to understand. Australia has no reason to complain about me though. I paid my income tax all the time and I raised a good deal of money for various charities while in Sydney. There was some discussion by the hospital people and something got in the papers.”

On the way from Australia Johnson took part in two concerts on board and was warmly applauded. He played selections on the bass viol and often at night when the rolling of the steamer was too much to make him indisposed, for Johnson admits that the sea got the decision over him a couple of times, he was heard practicing on his violin. He admitted that he had intended giving some selections at church entertainments in Australia.

“I am a churchman, and belong to the Methodist church, but they did not seem to have much use for a colored man in the Methodist churches of that ‘white Australia. They are good sports, though. They treated me fine and I’ve got no kick coming. But, on the surface, they seemed to think more of Tommy Burns after I had licked him than they did of me, and me the champion. That was a funny stunt about me finding comfort in Shakespeare books and the Pilgrim’s Progrerss, but, on the level, I do read Shakespeare.”

Sam Fitzpatrick when asked about his split with Johnson, said it had begun soon after the fight. “Johnson was a different man before the fight; he would feed out of the hand then, but he is a hard man to handle now.

“We decided to split soon after the Makura left. Anyhow, he doesn’t need a manager now. He has got Mrs. Johnson as his manager.”

When Johnson was in Australia an Australian paper printed a story about his intended marriage to an Oakland woman who entered suit and is said to have received a verdict for $7,500.

After his theatrical engagement in Europe Johnson will return to the United States. Mrs. Jack Johnson, who was Nellie O’Brien, of Philadelphia, says she is very proud of her dark husband and thinks he is the greatest man in the world.

 

• March 10, 1909 ‘The World’ (New York)
Live Tips On Sports by W.P. McLoughlin
The modest little love-tapping bout with the gloves which Jeffries has been working off for two days at the Lincoln Square Theater has aroused the ire of Police Captain Reidy. The Captain summonses yesterday afternoon to Jeff and to Manager Joe Soly calling for their appearance in the West Side Court today to answer the charge of violating section 458 of the Penal Code, which refers to prizefighting exhibitions.

It is an awful stretch of the imagination to designate as a prize fight the act that Sam Berger and Jeff perform. They wear ten-ton gloves and tap each other as softly as the sun-browned rose leaf touches the greensward when it is lowered by the August zephyrs. (How’s that for a sporting writer?) Well, speaking about the fistic exhibition, I can’t see why it should be barred anywhere. It breaks no law as presented by these two. Neither one would break an egg with one of the pokes he hands out.

More trouble for Jeffries: A dispatch from Victoria, B.C. announces that Jack Johnson and his wife arrived there today onboard the Makura. The black champion started promptly for his home in Galveston, Tex., by way of Chicago. After a few days rest he will go to England for a vaudeville engagement.

Before he left Victoria, the dispatch says, “Johnson unreservedly declared his willingness to meet Jeffries or any other fighter.”

That’s the kind of talk to get from a champion fighter. That’s the way Jeffries feels, too. I know it.

So, boys, after the two make a little easy money I have no doubt they will get together and make the earth shake.

• March 11, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
No Crime to Box in a Theatrical Skit in This City.
Cases Against Jeffries and Berger Dismissed When Presented in West Side Court Yesterday.
Jack Johnson Loses Manager Fitzpatrick.
Old Case of Grand Union Club Comes Up – Decision of Guilty Rendered.
By William P. McLoughlin

It was reasonable to expect that James J. Jeffries would be discharged for any attempt to violate the statutes of the Empire State when he was arraigned in the West Side Court yesterday. It scarcely needed a legal defense of the so-called boxing exhibition which Jeffries and his partner, Sam Berger, are giving twice daily at the Lincoln Square Theater.

I said yesterday that their taps would not break an eggshell but legal requirements must be fulfilled. Accordingly, Capt. Reidy of the West 68th street police station, took no chances. All blows look alike to him, whether they are inflicted with hands encased in “the old, down feather beds” or Harrigan’s famous song or knuckles equipped with the murderous spike-0tops of the Greek cestus. The Big Noise down at no. 300 Mulberry is looking for the scalp of many captains these days. Therefore, Capt. Reidy, who knows a fight from a flash-in-the-pan-and I know he knows a good fight-got busy and made a pinch. There.

Magistrate Harris, who boxed a little himself, when a good American, was presiding when the case was called. A thousand more or less of young and old Americans, who box or have boxed in their days, were their representing the millions who want to see the manly art preserved in the decent form that appeals to all real sport lovers.

Sparring but an Incident
The Captain told the Court that Jeffries and Berger sparred three forty second rounds. This was illegal where admissions were paid. The Lincoln Square Theater is not a club. Hence the arraignment.

The attorneys for Jeffries, Berger, and William Morris, who has billed them, said the sparring exhibit was incidental to a thrilling sketch written by a thrilling woman, of the thrilling type of author in which it was necessary for Jeffries to box in order to prevent him from being mobbed by reporters, correspondents, flashlighters, experts and the “Live Tin” man. So to save his life Jeff had to spar. Hot stuff, eh?

Well, Jeff’s lawyers got away with it and he went back to the theater and boxed three more rounds yesterday afternoon and three more last night. But they were not forty-second rounds, Capt. Reidy – they were only thirty, sure as you live, and there were three-minute rests between. Why overwork anyway when one gets $2,500 a week clear of expenses?

Johnson’s Arrest Recalled
A would-be wise Negro lawyer intercepted Jeffries before the hearing and handed him an alleged challenge for a contest between the Californian and Jack Johnson. Jeff said: “Wot in --- is this?” He read, then dropped it to the street and stamped it quietly with his heel.

He was right. Challenges do not come in that way.

Around the court there was a lot of comment on the fact that Jack Johnson had appeared there exactly yesterday, twelve months with two young women. He said they had robbed him. The circumstances led to a charge being made against all three, and then still stands as far as Johnson is concerned. *****, but ominous coincidence.

Johnson and Manager Fitzpatrick Apart
From Victoria, B.C., where Johnson arrived Tuesday, comes the news that Johnson has sidetracked his manager, Sam Fitzpatrick. If ever a man owed anything to a manager, Johnson did. But ingratitude seems to be a trait that figures among fighters as well as with a surprise to hear that “Big Jack” had thrown over the man who had stood by him when he didn’t have a button, and had not even a dream of being the heavyweight champion of the world.
According to the dispatches, Sam said with a shrug: “I bear the big colored man no ill will, but it is impossible for any man to handle Johnson since he gained the title. Johnson has insisted since his victory on being his own boss absolutely. I understand the champion’s white wife will assist in arranging matches for him.”

And there is a story undoubtedly in that last sentence. Johnson married an English girl in Philadelphia. Judging from recent information she seems to be the boss and not Johnson.

Fitz Says Jeff is Only One
Fitzpatrick was asked what he thought of the proposition to match Johnson with some other candidate than Jeffries. He said: “There is only one white man who has any right in the ring with Johnson and that is Jeffries. I don’t think that even Jeffries can beat Jack. For Corbett to fight Johnson would be ridiculous. Ketchel is altogether too small. For second choice I would select Jim Barry of Chicago but really he wouldn’t have a chance.”

I will have to think all this dope over. It sounds ***** for a side-tracked manager. Sam was always a sort of wizard in his way. Is he working out a problem?

In the meanwhile I am wondering what will happen when Mr. Jack Johnson and his white wife reach Galveston, Texas, where a reception by the Negro population is planned.

An aeroplane that can rise a mile a second will be a safe thing for Jack to take along with him.

 

• March 13, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
Jeff Just Sneers at Paltry $50,000 Purse. Promoter McIntosh of Australia Here, Tells New and Interesting Facts About Championship Battle in Rush Cutter’s Bay.

Hugh D. McIntosh, the Australian who promoted the Burns-Johnson fight at Sydney on Boxing Day, Dec. 26, 1908, arrived on the Mauretania yesterday morning to launch his half a mile of moving pictures on the American public and incidentally to offer a $50,000 purse for a fight between Jeffries and the Galveston Negro, provided the white man sizes up to the Australian’s approval.

Jeffries was seen by a World reporter yesterday afternoon.

“So he offers $50,000, eh?” said Jeff, sneeringly. “Why, that’s a piker’s offer. A syndicate in Seattle has made a bona fide offer of a purse of $150,000 for the contest to be fought at the Seattle Exposition, and that offer is, I am confident, on the level. I have never met Mr. McIntosh and he has never met me. I see he says he wouldn’t think of offering a pursue unless he was personally convinced I was in condition. I am not asking Mr. McIntosh to judge whether I shall enter the ring again or not.

McIntosh, who is short, solid, dark, with a short, thick neck, encircled with a narrow strip of turndown collar, has eyes that twinkle with shrewd calculation. He speaks in low tones and is all business. A native antipodean in addition to characteristics, inherited from his English ancestors, he also has a sense of humor that is American in its quickness and perception.

“Yes, I am here to offer a $50,000 purse for Jeffries to fight Johnson,” said Mr. McIntosh. “I want to be satisfied that Jeffries can be put in condition and be trained.

“They have at home all sorts of contradictory reports about Jeffries. One has it that he is unsound and will never be perfectly sound again. There is no man in the world who can beat Johnson unless he is in the best condition. I have been told that it was very hard to get Jeffries into condition when he was twenty-four years old. Johnson is a big, strong, defensive fighter.”

Where would you have the fight between Jeffries and Johnson come off?” inquired a young reporter.

“In England, France or Australia,” returned McIntosh. “I prefer England, the world’s fighting centre. Any fighting place will do to put on the fight but I prefer England.”

The Australian admitted that Jeffries must size up to his standard of theoretical condition and impress him with the physical stamina to stay, or he would have nothing to do with him.

“Why are you so particular about Jeffries physical condition, if you can get on the fight?” he was asked.

“I would not put on a fake fight,” he replied. “I have a reputation to preserve.”

“Why did you referee the Burns-Johnson fight yourself?” he was asked.

“I refereed the fight because I could not find a capable and willing man in Australia I could trust, outside of myself,” he replied. “Yes, there was one other man, Snowy Baker, but Johnson would not have him. So I had to do it myself. There was a lot of money put on the fight and I undertook to see that all was square and honest.

“I had to put up a $500 bond to the Government to get Johnson admitted to the country, because he was an alien without ‘visible means of support.’ I was responsible personally for his deportation within six months. Negroes are not necessarily unpopular in my country. Major Taylor, the bicyclist, is a great favorite there. There is no Australian prejudice against Negroes in sports.”

“I never saw any sign of a yellow streak in Johnson,” said the promoter. “In fact, Johnson showed particular courage in a near-fight with Burns right in my office. Burns was going to do him up and Johnson said cooly: Let him. Let him come, man. Don’t interfere with him.’ Burns was shaking like a leaf. It was all about a referee.

“We had to make a selection. I saw we must come to the point. It was necessary for the men to meet face to face and settle that point. Burns was hanging off. In an apparently friendly way the two men met in my office on the Tuesday before the fight. Johnson was not in a bad temper. Burns was whittling a stick, sitting back in his chair. He was surly.

“If I go into the ring I shall have one point the worst of it,” said Johnson.

“Yes,’ growled Burns, “they don’t like ******s in this country, do they?”

“What do you mean by ******?” said Johnson. ‘O, ******s, that’s all,’ Burns replied surrily. I smoothed it over. ‘It means a colored gentleman,’ I said. ‘You don’t want to fight,’ sneered Burns.

“There was a little girl in the office, the daughter of an actor, a friend of mine, a child named Fitzpatrick. Johnson is very fond of children.

“Take that kiddy out of the room,’ said Johnson. Then to Burns: ‘Now if you are chasing a fight. I’m ready.’

“Burns grabbed a folding chair. I’ll slip it over on you,’ threatened Burns. Then Burns grabbed an inkwell and attempted to hurl it at Johnson with a trembling hand. ‘You’ve spilled ink on your hand, haven’t you, Tommy?” remarked Johnson, laughing.

“The $30,000 odd that Burns got out of his defeat by Johnson was the dearest earned money he ever made. I had offered him $25,000 a year just to show him. His popularity after the defeat was one of the most remarkable features. When he went back to Melbourne the correspondents telegraphed: ‘Burns has returned and is a popular idol.’

“Wherever he went he was follows by thousands. He drove in his motor car about the streets which became blocked with people. I was requested to leave the hotel where I lived about twenty miles out of Sydney, on account of the crowds that flocked to it to see Burns. My office is in the Challis House, the finest business building in Sydney. I got notice from the manager to leave. They had to lock the grill doors to keep people out.

At the same time Johnson was spotted in the streets. The Challis Building belongs to the University Senate, composed of archdeacons and deacons who never saw a boxing glove. I was asked if it were not possible for me to vacate my rooms. I said not until my lease was up, and then I introduced the manager to Burns. They compromised sending Burns out the back way and agreeing that he should in future motor through the alley in the rear and enter that way.

 

• March 13, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
Johnson and Wife Will Defy the Law.
Will Go to Texas in Spite of Statute Forbidding Intermarriage of Whites and Negroes.
Special to The World

Galveston, Tex., March 12 – Jack Johnson’s defiance of the law in bringing his white wife to Texas may result seriously for the world’s champion fighter who is due to reach Galveston next week. Johnson was notified that it might e advisable to return home alone as the Texas laws are very severe on Negroes and Whites marrying. The Texas law forbids intermarrying and provide imprisonment penalty.

But Johnson is stubborn and he sent word he is coming with his wife and that he would fight it out. He claims he was not married in Texas and that he cannot leave his wife in the air while he comes to Texas. His counsel is hopeful of winning the case on the plea that Johnson and his wife spouse are not going to make Texas their permanent residence, but are to be in the State only temporarily.

The Texas law does not accept mixed color couples living in the State even though they were married in a State which permits union of whites and Negroes. This law has been thoroughly tested and declared constitutional by the Federal Supreme Court.

• March 15, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
McIntosh Explains His Offer of $50,000.
Says He Had No Idea of Belittling Jeffries and Now Proposes Percentage.

Hugh D. McIntosh of Australia, who promoted the Johnson-Burns battle for the heavyweight championship of the world, last night replied to the manner in which Jim Jeffries, the retired champion, took his offer of a $50,000 purse for a fight in Sydney between the big fellow and Jack Johnson.

Speaking of the matter, he said to a reporter of The World:

“I have read Mr. James J. Jeffries reply to my published offer of $50,000 and am afraid Mr. Jeffries has taken my remarks about his physical condition in the wrong spirit. I should be very loth indeed to have traveled over 10,000 miles and used monetary persuasion to force the greatest fighter that has ever lived into the ring if his physical condition was not such as to justify him in the attempt.

“My anxiety is not an overweening one to make money out of this contest, but a worthy ambition to recover the championship of the world for the white race, as I was perhaps, one of the humble instruments in the white race losing it.

“Of course, if Mr. Jeffries can get $200,000 then I must retire from the bidding, as I know of no land, arena or conditions that would legitimately warrant such an offer.

“The giving of a purse that would come to nearly twice as much as the entire gross takings of the world’s record receipts, namely $131,200 (Sydney) and the next best $96,300, competed in by Jeffries himself when he fought Sharkey in the halcyon days of boxing in America, would be farcial.

“If Mr. Jeffries is sincere in his belief that he is worth even a fourth of this amount I am prepared to run the contest and bear all expenses in connection therewith and give the contestants80 percent of the gate.

“This is surely the test of Mr. Jeffries drawing power and popularity. If we can get together, immediately upon signing the articles I am prepared to deposit the whole amount offered, and shall be glad to meet “Big Jim” and talk it all over in a perfectly amiable and business-like spirit.”

 

• March 17, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
Johnson Coming to See Jim Jeffries.
Heavyweight Champion Has Abandoned Galveston Trip – Will Arrive Here Thursday.

Chicago, March 16 – Johnson’s plans shifted with great rapidity today. At noon he was undecided as to a trip to his old home in Galveston. At one o’clock he suddenly concluded to take the trip and so telegraphed his mother. At 2:30 he received a telegram from New York, the contents of which he did not divulge, but which seemed to please him. His plans promptly changed again.

“I’ve got a chance to meet Jeffries in New York and I’m on my way,” he said. “I’ve just sent a second telegram to my mother telling her I can’t visit her for two weeks or more. I want to face Jeffries face to face. If he is in the boxing game he will talk business. We can accomplish more face to face on a business proposition than can be done with a hundred letters and telegrams.

“I’ve received world that now is the time to catch him, and I’m not going to overlook the chance. In addition I have some arrangements to make with regard to my theatrical engagements which, I am informed cannot wait. I will be in New York Thursday. Then I’ll look up Jeffries. I am surely going to visit Galveston, but I may have to wait two or three weeks.”

• March 19, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
Johnson Agrees to Meet Ketchel Within 12 Weeks. At Conference Held Last Night a Forfeit of $5,000 for Appearance of Contestants is Put Up.
Either Will Accept Ten Rounds or to Finish.
If Ketchel Should Win it Would Release Jeff from White Man’s Burden.

Jack Johnson, the heavyweight champion of the world, and Stanley Ketchel were, it was announced last night by parties other than the principals, but interested in the event, matched to meet for a side bet of $5,000, which was to be put up by somebody.

That, having been arranged, it was decided to ask for tenders for the affair. New York, it was understood, was to have the preference, if, for a ten-round go there would be sufficient inducement. If not, the Coma A.C. of San Francisco, would be asked to say how much it would give for a 45 round event, and, if the gold camps around Nevada and Arizona are prosperous, they would be invited to bid.

It was not known, therefore, at midnight whether Jack and Stanley would have any place in which to discuss their merits. That they would battle for their side bets of $5,000, no person believes, and that any terms they might agree upon with only their representatives present would be accepted by any club is equally improbably.

Later is was said that the $1,000 each, when it was deposited, would be but a forfeit for their appearance at some club, and that the purse really would be whatever any organization or any promoter might offer. Neither Johnson nor Ketchel was present at preliminaries. It was all done at long range with all the possibilities intervening, though it is not doubted that the champion would be willing to take the gambler’s chance on the long end.

Ketchel’s representative at the conference last night was more than eager to make the match on any terms. That was reasonable as well as diplomatic, for he had everything to gain in the event of a decision in his favor and nothing at all to lose.

One of the interesting features in connection with the affair is that if Ketchel should defeat Johnson there will be no further use for Jeffries, for the call of the white man would have been answered.

The fight, if it should come off, would be scheduled to take place within 12 weeks.

Special to The World
Chicago, March 18 – Johnson has been matched to fight Ketchel sometime within 12 weeks. He was not present at the preliminaries and cannot be found tonight, but it is undoubted that he has agreed to the conditons.

It is understood here that the message which kept him here, and which he was from his mother in Galveston, was in reality from New York, and that it had to do exclusively with this affair. It is very well understood here that his talk about not going to Galveston because he wanted to meet Jeffries in New York was, in ring parlance, “a stall,” and was because of an intimation from friends of Ketchel that there might be a fight coming without having to look for it.

 

• March 20, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
Sportsmen Smile at Johnson and Ketchel “Match.” After Having Agreed to Meet the Two Men are Eagerly Seeking Some Club Which Wants Their Bout. General Belief is They Will Not Get Together. The Public is Eager Only to See Jeffries and Johnson in the Ring

There was a scream of laughter all day yesterday from the White Way, along the Santa Fe trail and up to San Francisco over the “match” made Wednesday between Jack Johnson and Stanley Ketchel. No man who had not hoppies on him would stand long enough to discuss it, and those who had shook their heads and so far as they could, declined to give an answer.

Ketchel and his managers professed sincerity, but “the Big Smoke” buried himself in Chicago and would not be interviewed. Wires were in danger of being burned, so swift were the messages that passed between Coffroth, the manager of the Colma Athletic Club, and those interested in the promotion of the affair, but Coffroth would not give a decisive answer. And at midnight last night both Mistah Johnson and Mister Ketchel were in America at a point equidistant from anywhere with nobody particularly wanting them except some film and moving picture men.

In connection with their “match” it was pointed out that Johnson must be in the ring of the National Sporting Club in London on Derby Day, June 234, which would make the alleged match take place her not later than June 9. This would give Johnson but one week in which to recuperate if the fight took place here. If it took place in California it would of practical necessity, have to be before June 4.

Johnson has theatrical engagements here for the last week in April and unless he considers Ketchel an easy mark he could not conclude his obligations and meet Ketchel on this side of the water. It is possible that because of the favor in which Johnson is in England Ketchel could be induced to fight over there, but even Ketchel’s managers realize that a fight pulled off in England that could not be arranged for in this country would always have a question mark behind it. The consensus of opinion was yesterday that the men will not meet in any ring or elsewhere, that Johnson was looking for “a mark,” and that, whether Ketchel would meet him on the level or not, the affair would almost of necessity, be regarded as a hippodrome. There are many of Ketchel’s friends who believe he can whip Johnson, but the great majority of the public never could accept a man of Ketchel’s weight as one worthy of the championship of the world, however eminent he might be in his own class.

The entire “match” matters too much of the press agency and the get-rich-quick variety to appeal to sportsmen. There are only two men that the public want to see in the ring, and they are Johnson and Jeffries. Ketchel may be able to beat Johnson, but the public doesn’t care. His victory wouldn’t mean much and his defeat would mean less. He doesn’t carry the White Man’s burden and the White Man wouldn’t trust it to him if he wished it.

• March 29, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
Jack Johnson Is On Way Here Eager For Match.
Willing to Waive 60 and 40 Percent Division of the Purse if Jeff Will Consent to a Fistic Contest.
Says He Will Accept Almost Any Terms.
Will Agree on 85 and 15 or 90 and 10 Apportionment – Confident of Winning.

Chicago, March 28 – Jack Johnson, the heavyweight champion of the world, is on his way to New York. He left here this afternoon over the Lake Shire, and is due at the Grand Central Station tomorrow afternoon. While his immediate mission is to fill a theatrical engagement, he made it plain that while in New York he would make every effort to arrange a match with Jeffries.

Johnson was willing to talk at any length about his plans but practically the only thing he said which in any way differed from all his previous statements was that if Jeffries objected to the purse being cut on the 80 and 20 percent plan he would consent to it being made 85 and 15 or 90 and 10 rather than have it stand in the way of a meeting.

With reference to the statement that Stanley Ketchel was willing to take him on, Johnson said Ketchel could have had his chance if he had not lost it by the conduct of his manager over the forfeit, and then he went on to say:

Compromises on Division
“I want to say one thing – that if Jeffries doesn’t think a $50,000 purse cut 60 to 40 percent is alright, I will let him cut it 85 and 15 or 90 and 10 if he wants to. All I want if I lose is enough to pay my training expenses. But I won’t lose. And I’m not going to ask anything unreasonable of any man.”

In Johnson’s party are his wife, Mr. and Mrs. George Little, “Kid” Cutler and wife and Manager Abe Arends.

I want any friends I have in this land or anywhere else to know that I am keeping myself in the best of trim. I have had all the ‘good times’ I need in my life, and I know what it is to be down and out, and they can bet I’m taking no chances. Why, if I made a break into bad habits there would be a thousand to shove me down, and once down, you know, a champion doesn’t come back.

“Don’t let anybody have any foolish notion about this theatrical life spoiling me. I do my daily stunt at exercise and will continue to do so, and I guess I’m doing nearly as much as Jeffries does, though he needs it a lot more than I do.

“I am living regularly, pretty nearly as regularly as I lived up to within a month of my fight with that young person out in Australia. I could get in trim in six weeks for a championship battle. I don’t bar anybody, but of course, there would be more money and more glory in defeating Jeffries than anybody else, and that’s why I’m so anxious to meet him. I believe I can beat him, sure, and am willing to try. If he wants my title he knows he can try to get it.

“I don’t care, either, where the fight takes place. Any place suits. Perhaps I would prefer San Francisco, but it doesn’t make so much difference. England would do, and so would Australia. The only thing I hope is that I won’t be bothered in New York with a lot of talkers who think they want to fight me. If Jeffries doesn’t want to fight until after present engagements, all right. That would be reasonable enough and would suit me. But we ought to be able to agree that we will meet.”

Ketchel Willing if Britt is
Stanley Ketchel, who is at the Woodlawn Inn, when told that Johnson was on his way here, said to a reporter for The World he was glad to hear it as conversations in New York could be had with greater ease and with more assurance of correct understanding than if one party were in Chicago and the other in New York.

“Of course,” said Ketchel, “I cannot talk. Talking isn’t my business, and besides, talking and matchmaking belong to managers and not to fighters. But you can be sure that whatever Britt says I will do. Would I like to meet Johnson? I certainly would. Do I think Britt would like the match? Certainly. But Britt will have to talk for both myself and himself.”

 

• March 30, 1909 – ‘The World’ (New York)
Man Who Licked Burns Not a Big Hit In This Town.
His Physique, Methods or Actions Do Not Impress as Those of a Man Worthy of Title Honors.
Hisses Greet Him at First Appearance.
He Posts the Same $5,000 for a Match with Jeffries or Anybody in the World.
By William P. McLoughlin

All was darkness in the vicinity of 42nd Street and Madison Avenue yesterday at 9:30 a.m. when the Twentieth Century Limited from Chicago drew into the Grand Central Depot. It wasn’t raining. It was dreary. But it was dark as a dark cat in a dark alley on a night when the lights were turned out under the old Sunday blue law days. This was due to the fact that the faithful and exuberant colored population was there to meet and greet the champion heavyweight of the world, Mr. Jack Johnson.

Looking along 42nd Street west there was a streak of black such as I have never seen accentuate a crowd in New York City since the old Ninth Ward Republican Club used to parade for Blaine and Logan.

Getting old, eh? Not a bit of it. I have a good memory for these colored parades and the extraordinary picturesque uniforms the members participating used to wear.

Darktown Everywhere Abounded
Yesterday there wasn’t such a show of bombardier shakos, white and gold jackets, blue and red pants as used to mark the usual walk abroad of the politically inclined colored population, but there was just the same childish and harmless enthusiasm and just the same picturesqueness in a modernized form. Instead of the dandy drum major with his waving plumes there was a grand outpouring of private automobiles and a show of beaver overcoats that would be amasing only that evidence of a day off for Darktown was everywhere in the ___ (illegible).

And why shouldn’t the colored brother laud the champion heavyweight of the world? He has the title. He won it in the ring. He is ready to defend it – he says. And so.

Johnson Doesn’t Make Good
But here is where I must cut ion on the story, because I am impatient to tell you what I think of Mr. Johnson.

It is God help Johnson if he ever meets Jeffries. Because why?
I have seen Jeffries work and have watched his every move.

I know of his determination to go in the ring and meet Johnson or anybody else in the heavyweight line for whatever may be handed to him in the way of a scrap for the heavyweight title.

I know that Jeffries has his heart set on getting back that heavyweight title for the white men.

I saw Johnson work yesterday afternoon. He is not and never can be a genuine heavyweight champion.

He lacks the punch. He lacks the ______ (Illeg.). He hasn’t any ring sense. How such a man got away with poor but plucky little Tommy Burns is a mystery to me. He showed nothing yesterday, and I don’t believe he ever had anything to show.

That is plain, isn’t it? Well, that is me. Now I will tell you what happened on and after the arrival of the champion.

The Champ and His Party
The much exploited black man came on with a flourish and was greeted warmly. There were in his party his white wife – she is white O.K. – and his manager Abe Arends, and his sparring partner, Charley Cutler (they used to call him “Kid” Cutler during my first period on earth). He made a tour doing a theatrical turn with our old pal John L. Sullivan when John was very bad and hog-fat. Now that was easy, wasn’t it? I could like John L. myself in those days, but I’d be dam sorry to do it. There were five or six other mysterious looking men in the Johnson entourage, but they didn’t appear to count.

There was a brass band to meet them. The autos I have told you about and the colored brethren who formed a parade at the head of which rode Johnson with his $5,000 property check calling on everybody to come inside the ropes and get it away if possible – Queensbury rules –side bet also.

The parade lost itself eventually after a tour of the Black Belt, and Johnson went to the Victoria Theater, where he is to do business for two weeks at $2,000 per. He rehearsed his strenuous stunt. He then left and put his $5,000 check in a yellow frame and returned at 2 o’clock to go on for his first matinee appearance in New York, gentlemen.

Johnson’s First Plaint
This is where I had the pleasure of a talk with him, and I have given you my general mixing up of the man.

“Ah, doesn’t mind what the papers say about myself, Ah’m a prizefighter,” said Johnson. “But I do object to them going into my private affairs and talking about the color of – well I will stand for anything that is said about me.

“Ah want to meet anybody that comes along – Jeffries, of course, preferred, but I bar no fighter.

Then the Footlight Glare
Then the stage stunt. Electric light bordered punching-bag outfit. Red, white, blue lights. Tawny colored _____ (illeg.). Big black man with the title as champion biffing bag. Abe Arends with watch. Cutler with smile of adoration. Gallery, upper balcony and fringe of attendees, all widely gaping enthusiastic gents of color. Orchestra playing “Bandanna Land” or “Bonanza Land” or something like that. Tom O’Rourke taking a wise, reminiscent look. Ditto, Stanley Ketchel. Ditto, every fight fan that wasn’t working. Ditto Prince Rajah who had just wriggled herself into an extreme state of perspiration.

“Ah just could watch that gal all day,” said Jack to me. “She’s got us champions done to death.”

I’m not a champion at anything and I’ll let it go at that.

In comes the house announcer saying:
“Lay-dees and gintlemen-take pleasure in introducing the champion heavyweight of the world, Mr. Jack Johnson!”

Cheers – and what sounds was that – hisses as I live! Lots of hisses. Hisses in a volume that was unmistakeable.

Then steps forth the champ. He plays with the bag. Rig-a-jig, rig-a-jig-go bang, biff. Away goes the ball into the first balcony, just as my ancient friend Bob Fitzimmons used to do-but Bob would generally send it flying into a box filled with celebrities where he would get a better ad.

Enter Ex-Kid Cutler
Then away the electric outfit. Then out steps Charley Cutler, the exKid. Charley weighs 247 pounds and stands 5’7”. Johnson weighs 210 pounds and is 6’2” or so. So you can judge that Charley would be fine on a lager beer saloon lunch counter done up in ribbons and with a little green lime stuck between his teeth.

Now there no use trying to get a line on Johnson from what happened in this bout. Johnson just jabbed when and how he leased, and before the long gorilla-like paw reached Cutler by a foot, back would go Cutler’s head. I saw this happen several times and concluded it was a bad piece of work. The audience didn’t care for it a bit.

Arends made a speech about the $5,000 forfeit that is in hock somewhere – he didn’t say where. No cheers.

A voice- “Will you tackle Ketchel?”

No answer.

Johnson Won’t Do as Champ
Then Johnson is dragged out and he says: “If you give me three minutes of your attention I will” – That is where I thought I would get some real goods, but no-he was talking about the heavyweight championship and that $5,000 and side bet.

I went out to the 42nd Street Country Club and took solace with the fans. They all feel like me. Johnson won’t do as the heavyweight champion of the world.

And atop of all this, the law is after Johnson. It seems that last year, about this time, he was circulating in the Tenderloin and lost some jewelry. He caused the arrest of two women. They, in turn, caused his arrest on a charge of indecent conduct. Johnson has been out on $1,000 bail since his arrest.

Assist District Attorney Dans (or Dana?) appeared in the Court of Special Sessions yesterday and moved that the trial of Johnson be called on Thursday morning. Frank Wheaton a Negro lawyer, representing Johnson, had no objection.

The date for the hearing was fixed accordingly. There will be a big audience, I reckon, as we say East.

 

• April 11, 1909 – The World (New York)
Sam Fitzpatrick Answers Johnson.
Former Manager of the Black “Champion” Tells About a Few Experiences
The following letter was received last night from Sam Fitzpatrick, who was manager for Jack Johnson up to and shortly after the defeat of Tommy Burns in Australia, and was then thrown over:

To the Sporting Editor of The World
I read in The World of Jack Johnson’s arrival in the “big city.” I had decided not to bother much with his name again, but as he saw fit to criticize me for giving Burns all the best of the arrangements in the fight in Australia and saw that he was going to repudiate the Langford match in London, I thought a little inside “dope” would not be out of place at this time.

My experience with Johnson the last couple of years has taught me that repudiating is oen of Arthur’s long suits. He could not see where he should come through with the money I loned him some time before, which he wanted, as he said “to keep up appearances.”

Negotiations for the Langford match at the National Sporting Club of London, were well under way when an offer came from Hugh D. McIntosh for a fight with Burns in Australia; but nothing definite was done until a few days after Johnson agreed to meet Langford. In fact, the representative of the National Sporting Club in New York cabled to Mr. Bettinson that Langford had decided on that day for sailing. When the offer came from Australia for Burns, Mr. Bettinson acted in a very sportsman-like manner and said he would not stand in the way of Johnson meeting Burns first, as he might not get another chance. Johnson said in my presence to the manager of the National Sporting Club that he was very thankful to him for many favors he had done for him while in London and that he would return immediately after the Burns fight and meet Langford on condition that it went win or lose with Burns. To this Mr. Bettinson agreed.

Johnson talks about me letting Burns have all “the best of the arrangements” – that I admit. Had I not done so, the chances are Langford would be the “big noise” in London today and Johnson would be matched with Sam McVey, “Black Bill” or Joe Jeannette, and then possibly “back to Philadelphia to an obscure thoroughfare,” where I found him.

Yours very truly,
Sam Fitzpatrick
San Francisco, Cal. April 5, 1909.

• April 13, 1909 – The World (New York)
Johnson-Burns “Go” As Shown In Moving Pictures
Everything Excepting Real Fight Figures in the Meet That Crowned the Dark Man with Championship.
Great Chance For the “Merry Widow” Crank.
Bout Was Mostly a Hugging Match and Unworthy of a Cheap “Prelim.”
By William P. McLoughlin

The long overdue moving pictures of the Johnson-Burns fight in Sydney, Australia, were thrown on a screen in the Broadway Theater yesterday for the first time in this country. There was a liberally papered house to see them. Hugh McIntosh, who made a hatful of money out of that remarkable bout, was on hand to explain the pictures.

The wise boxing push of New York – those chaps who always manage to have box seats with deadhead holes punched in their tickets in advance and who can be found at all grand openings where somebody is “setting ‘em up” regardless of expense – they were quite a numerous body. They were also a noisy and aw-what-‘je-givin-us lot of persons.

They as well as I, who had real business there, got very little for our pains. If I had to look at those pictures again I would take to the gates. If that Johnson-Burns meeting is ever put up to me as a fight by my best friend I will have to tell him how little he and his are.

Pictures Show a Waltz.
For twelve of the fourteen routs of the alleged fight there was a waltzing match during which Burns let his head rest, calmly on the negro’s bosom. Once in the first round Tommy dropped on the floor in a sitting posture. The pictures didn’t show why. I saw an “expert” making a note of that drop, or foozie, or tumble, or lay-down or whatever-ye-may-call-it. He will describe it possibly as a case where Burns got a wallop on the plexus or the jitsu or some other old place; but I’ll be hornswoggled if I could see where the butty little Tommy got a welt of any kind of shape whatsoever.

Again in the fifth Tommy took a tumble without any apparent propelling cause.

“Observe, gentleman, how his ankle was sprained in this round,” said the guileless Mr. McIntosh. I observed the fall, but failed to see the sprain. Certainly, it wasn’t a bad sprain, because Tommy danced all round the ring for nine more rounds while the tall dark man didn’t have a thing to do but shoo him off.

And the Marks Were Absent.
“Observe the mawks of the terrible punishment Burns received – if you look closely you will observe the evidences,” said McIntosh about the twelfth round, when the audience had grown weary looking for action. There were no marks-not that you could see them.

The thirteenth and fourteenth were fairly good specimens of Owney Geoghegan stuff. Burns was playing an “uff-uff” game, butting in against his man wildly, while Johnson was swinging left and right, mostly in the air, but occasionally landing on the dumpy little jumping-jack, who was such a pittable kiddie alongside of him.

The crowd was restless. Just as I thought everybody would go across to the Albany to down their sorrows a small man (in the pictures) dressed in white, with a white helmet as big as a peach basket hat, stepped up on the platform and raised a cane – not Cain – and the fight was over.

“Who is that guy!” asked a free galleryitte. “Is he sojer?”

“Inspector of Police,” said McIntosh, without a tremor of compunction.

Now, it is easy to satisfy your own curiosity about that Australian scrap, gentlemen. All you have to do is to pay a visit to the Broadway Theater and look at the pictures, and I’ll wager a cold battle to a bag of peanuts that you will be inclined to telegraph for the man who whistles “The Merry Widow” waltz when things go sadly at the local boxing shows.

Pictures Show Poor Fight.
I wouldn’t give the pair a five-dollar note as “prelim” boxers in the Smoky Hollow Pin Tea Athletic Club. I know exactly what will happen to Johnson when a live fighter tackles him. It will be awful if he won’t save himself by hugging, at which he is quite affectionate-like. As for Tommy Burns, it looked mighty much to me as if he had gone into the ring with his $33,500, win, lose or draw, socked in his jeans and didn’t care a snap who got the title. There are men just like that. He’s one of them. I’m inclined to think, judging from the pictures.

Just before the battle – I mean bout – the pictures showed Johnson training. They also showed Burns training. He was doing terribly hard work. He was in a flower-bedecked touring auto with women aboard. Tommy wore a gorgeous coat like that sported at Atlantic City by Bud Lyons, the Harlem welterweight. There was a lot of waving handkerchiefs by the ladies along the road. Later there was a bout in the training quarters, and some men sitting around the ring were holding babies (real infants, you know) in their arms, while Tommy and his sparring partners made motions at each other.

It was tough, Bill, I tell ye.

And Johnson had for a sparring partner the missing Joe Grimm, the Iron Man. You remember I asked some time ago in plaintive tones about Joe. Well, he looks good in the pictures, but I suppose by this time Johnson has thrown him over.

There was real pleasure when the picture man threw a film of the first round of the Sharkey-Jeffries fight in Coney Island. McIntosh had gone off the stage at this juncture.

Voice in the balcony – “Who are they?”

Voice in second row orchestra – “Klaw and Erlanger.”

“Who’s that fellow refereeing?” asked the man above.

“Lee Shubert,” came back the flip person. He got the house. He and his interlocutor should be hired by McIntosh. They were the whole show yesterday.

 

• April 15, 1909 – The World (New York)
Johnson and Ketchel Matched for 20 Rounds
Articles Signed for Heavyweight Fight on Oct. 12
Black Champion and the Montana Scrapper Are to Put Up $5,000 Each to Bind the Match.
Johnson Would Not Agree to 45 Rounds.
Coffroth Arranges for Bout in Colma Athletic Club, San Francisco.
By William P. McLoughlin

And so Mistah Jack Johnson has matched up to meet Stanley Ketchel! The papers were signed yesterday to this city. The Tall Dark Man and the Montana Kid put their John Henrys on the bottom of a sheet of _______(Illeg.) duly attesting their willingness to go twenty rounds at the Colma Athletic Club, San Francisco, on Oct. 12 next. Of course, those signatures may be binding as far as Ketchel goes. I am not certain as to Johnson. He has a habit of cold-footing when there is a chance for him to slip over something better.

But on the face of it the match is made. Willipus Wallopus Britt, acting for Ketchel, wanted a longer route than twenty rounds. Pink-haired Jimmy Coffroth, representing the Colma Club, opted for four-mortal hours in favor of a twenty-five round session, but the Big Notes wouldn’t let it go more than twenty, and, being champion, he had to get his way.

Conditions of the Fight
The articles of agreement provide that soft surgical bandages or fingerless gloves of kid are to be permitted. Each party deposits $5,000 to be paid to the winner, and this sum is to go as a forfeit for non-compliance with the articles of agreement. Both contestants are to submit to physical examinations at reasonable times. They are to be in San Francisco thirty days before the contest. The referee is to be announced not later than fifteen days before the contest. Moving pictures of the fight will be taken and the proceeds divided by a private agreement.

The fighters are to receive 50 percent of the gross receipts to be divided 65 percent to the winner and 35 percent to the loser.

Weights of the Men.
Ketchel said he weighs 175 pounds at present and will enter the ring at 180 pounds. Johnson will fight at 205 pounds.

It is mighty funny how Johnson side-steps on the long route proposition. Either he is bluffing himself into the idea that he can trim Ketchel in the twenty-round limit, or he is afraid, if it goes further than that point, it will be fare you well for himself.

It is a curious coincidence that the date set is Oct. 12. This is the anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. Maybe Johnson, too, will discover something that day.

• April 21, 1909 – The World (New York)
Jeffries Repeats From The Stage His Intention To Enter the Ring.
Johnson Makes Answer Calling for Cash Deposit.
Negro Titleholder Says He Will Consider Challenge of Retired Champion When Money is Put Up.
Jeff Tells Why He Kept Silent So Long.
Determined When Placed in a False Light to Come Out and Declare Himself.
By William P. McLoughlin

James J. Jeffries, retired heavyweight champion pugilist of the world, said to me last night:

“I will fight Jack Johnson. I have been sure for several weeks that I could get into condition, but have held off making the announcement until I became sure I was absolutely the same Jeffries.

“I will say that I never felt better in my life.

“When I was retired some four years ago I did so after defeating every possible contender for the title. There was no one left for me to meet. The present heavyweight situation is the only thing that could have brought me from retirement. I have all the money I will ever need, and there is no monetary consideration that could tempt me into the ring if I was not sure that I could easily defeat any challenger for the championship.

“As for Mr. Johnson, the tactics which he has employed, presumably to attempt to force a match, have been such that I felt that I would only lower myself by replying until I felt I was prepared to say that I would fight.

“At the expiration of my contract with William Morris, which positively forbids my signing any contract, pugilistic or otherwise, I will be ready to discuss terms for an unlimited round contest. All I will ask after that is sufficient time to thoroughly condition myself, and should Mr. Johnson care to challenge me for the title, I will do what I think I owe the public; that is, to defend the title of “Undefeated Champion of the World.”

Announcement in The World
The retired champion had already announced his intention to go back into the ring to struggle for the laurels he had passed up when he retired and which have been appropriated since that time by Jack Johnson. Yesterday’s World had the exclusive official announcement that Jeffries would again enter the ring to seek to recover the lost laurels of the white man’s heavyweight supremacy, which had passed into the possession of Jack Johnson at that little séance over in Sydney, New South Wales.

At the American Theater last night Jeffries, after his exhibition of rope jumping, sparring and other gymnastic exertion, was called to the front by one of the most crowded audiences ever seen in the house. He said:

“After seven weeks trial I am satisfied that I can get into shape to fight for anything on this earth. I have decided to issue a challenge to Johnson.”

Jeffries Has Right to Terms
Of course the hippodrome methods that have characterized everything in connection with Johnson since he left Australia were called into requisition in this as in everything of public interest in which he engages. He promptly began to shout for a “Deposit,” to demand a side bet and a lot of things like that, forgetting that as the undefeated champion Jeffries really has the right to make what terms he wishes.

The news that Jeff had at last decided to go back after that title was wired to Pittsburgh yesterday, where Johnson was appearing in a vaudeville show, and he said to The World’s sporting correspondent:

“I will be the proudest man in Pittsburgh if Jeffries will show that he means business by covering the $5,000 which I have posted in New York. My money is ready, and the moment he makes his announcement I will cancel all fighting engagements and get ready for him. My match with Ketchel and all other matches I have were arranged with the understanding that I could cancel them if I had a chance to meet Jeffries.

But Jeffries cannot reclaim his championship. He can only fight for it.”

Johnson has “Posting” Habit.
The posting of a $5,000 forfeit has become a habit with Johnson, and the drawing back of that alleged sum has kept pace with the posting. That $5,000 check has been a standing joke in New York for, oh, so many weeks. Now it will have to get down to real money and for a real date for a meet with a real champion.

I’m thinking that when Jeff’s money goes up there will be a sort of a hitch to cover it with real coin.

He looked good to me last night. And he bad when asked to talk about the negro champion. He said: “You remember about a month ago you said I was working hard and that I took too much exercise for a man in my present line. You would up by saying, “Why is Jeff doing such hard work?” Well, this is the answer; I want to get back that championship from the black boaster.”

And he’ll get it, too, take my tip.

“Johnson’s $5,000 Is a Dead Issue” – Britt.
Willus Britt, manager of Stanley Ketchel, had things to say when he heard that Johnson had declared his intention of cancelling the fight with Ketchel, which is scheduled to be held in San Francisco on October 12. Said Willus:

“Johnson is foolish when he asks Jeffries to cover his $5,000 in this city. That $5,000 was killed as soon as I covered it and Johnson put his signature to the set of articles for the fight. Why, the $5,000 is to go as a side bet that has already been made, and it is in the hands of a stakeholder. Johnson is trying to make that check do the work of $10,000 instead of what it is really for. There is no chance of Johnson running out of the match with Ketchel without losing the $5,000 which is up. He put the money up as a bluff and ever since I called it Johnson has been trying to sidestep.”

 

• April 22, 1909 – The World (New York)
Guarantee of Big Money is Made to The Ex-Champion.
Manager McCarey of the Pacific Athletic Club, Offers “Half Century” Win, Lose or Draw.
Jeff Says He Will Take It If No More Shows.
But He Adds that Even If No Money Showed He Would Go After Johnson.
By William P. McLoughlin

“Speak to Me Only One Word” used to be a sentimental ditty in my romantic days in the old parlor with the wax daffy-down-dillies under the glass case on the mantelpiece. I used to shed tears whenever the swell counterjumper who was the lady-killer of the town would sing it in his magnificent falsetto tones. I never knew why I wept. I don’t now. There was no reason why I should because I did not know who was asking for that one word and why he or she was making such a tremendous supplication. It shows how a fellow can make a slob of himself.

But when Jeff said “YES”

Well-I didn’t go to the weeps. I felt that sung-for and longed-for “one word” was there. I believe it is the greatest and most valuable one word ever uttered. It’s worth $50,000 to Jeff. It’s a cinch.

From Los Angeles there is a quick bid for the possible Jeffries-Johnson fight. The Associated Press from its correspondent in that city says:

“Upon the receipt of the news that Jeffries had announced he would fight Johnson, Manager McCarey of the Pacific A.C., sent an offer of $50,000 to Jeffries as his end of the purse, win, lose or draw. Should the big one accept, a suitable proposition will be made to Johnson. In case McCarey is successful in having the fight take place before his club the contest will be held at the Vernon Arena, formerly owned by the Jeffries Athletic Club, and probably will be carded for 45 rounds.”

“If nothing better offers,” said Jim last night, “I’ll take that. I get the $50,000 anyway, eh? Well, I will look it over – but hark ye, Bill, I’d go after that **** without the cush offer.”

What’s the betting, gents?

JOHNSON TO BOX PHILADELPHIA JACK?
Negro Champion Says He will “In All Likelihood Meet O’Brien” for 6 rounds.
Special to The World
Pittsburgh, April 21 – Philadelphia Jack O’Brien may be the next opponent of Champion Jack Johnson. This statement is made on the authority of Johnson, who received a telegram tonight from Philadelphia asking him to quote the terms on the fight. While Johnson refused to quote the terms upon which he will fight, he said:

“I will, in all likelihood, meet O’Brien. If the terms are satisfactory, there will be no doubt of it, but I want the contest to take place before I leave for London, May 2___ (2nd # of date illeg.)”

The place for the Johnson-O’Brien bout has not been settled. It will probably be a six-round go at Philadelphia. After that Johnson goes to London for a ten weeks’ trip.


• May 3, 1909 – The World (New York)
Black Champion Proves He Tampers With The Truth.
His Agreement to Box Before the National Sporting Club of London Was Signed with His Own Hand.
He Tried to Shift the Responsibility to Others.
World Produces Photograph of His Signed Letter - Opinion of Secretary of Club.
By William P. McLoughlin

Very few persons who have followed the course of Mistah Jack Johnson since he won the heavyweight championship of hte world by walloping little Tommy Burns need to be told of the absolute indifference of the big negro to either truth or candor. Those, however, who like the man from Missouri, must "be shown" before they will believe and derive the most convincing proof of Johnson's dishonorable character from the letter which I print in this column and the photographic facsimile which accompanied that letter from London.

It will be remembered that the moment Johnson was proclaimed heavyweight champion he began to suffer from what a facetious friend of mine would call "elephantasis of the cranium," but which the erudite Kid Griffo describes as the "swelled cocoa."

Dropped His Friends Overboard.
Johnson as soon as he gained the title, had no further use for the men who had stood by him when he was hustling after a snack of pork and chicken. Sam Fitzpatrick, who went broke and kept on borrowing from his friends to grub stake Johnson in the vague hope of getting it back when he would succeed in working the negro into the championship class, was cast aside. Johnson gave no earthly reason for this act of gross ingratitude. Fitzpatrick the faithful had to beat it back to San Francisco from Australia with all his pockets turned inside out, while the slugger he befriended arrived with bulging pocketbook and a bushel of resin unerative contracts.

More offers were made here. The negro promptly began to sidestep those to which he was already bound so as to hitch up with newer and more liberal ones. RIght and left he disregarded his moral as well as literal obligations. So far did he go in this direction that in order to allay in some measure the popular indignation he began to worse than romance. He liked like the lamented Joe Mulhatton or Tom Ochiltree. He was worse than a gas meter. He blamed this, that or the other person for having signed contracts for him of which he knew nothing whatsoever.

When he threw over his agreement to box Sam Langford before the National Sporting Club in London, he declared that he had never agreed to any such proposition.

The Proof of It Is Here
I am enabled today to present a damming proof of the four-flushing negro's duplicity and bad faith. The photograph (next column) shows Johnson's own letter to the club, signed by himself, in which he makes the offer to meet Langford. The camera does not lie.

Following is a letter from Mr. Bettinson, secretary of the National Sporting Club, which I received today:

National Sporting Club, Ltd.,
Covent Garden, W.C.
April 23, 1909

Dear Sir - I cabled you the other day that Johnson's statements were untrue, in consequence of several American newspaper cuttings I had received, in which he stated he repudiated Fitzpatrick's contracts, as if he had not any knowledge of what had been done.

Of course you will see by the enclosed photograph, that Johnson was absolutely personally responsible. In fact, the suggestion to box Langford for the same purse, win or lose, with Burns, came from him; and at the time, I thought it very decent of him to make the offer. The club did not ask him to do so, and I am quite certain we should always have been willing to have made a bigger offer, in the event of a victory over Burns. However, he is a ******, and a very bad type of one; and, as far as the club is concerned, we do not wish to bother about him, but when I see him making lying statements in the American Papers, I think it only right that I should repudiate them.

I think Johnson is throwing away the substance for the shadow, as he had 6,000 pounds worth of contracts booked up in London for six months of easy work. Of course, he may get more money in American, but I think this is pretty good booking for a black man.

I am pleased to say, we have got a good English champion. He is a big fellow, fourteen stone, and can really box well. He knocked out Moir in 2 min. 47 sec. on Monday evening last, and could do it at any time when called upon. Personally, I think he would have a great chance with Tommy Burns. How he will fare with Langford, I do not know, but he is very confident that no twelve-stone man can beat him. As a matter of fact he has seen Johnson, and think he could beat him. Still, we must wait to see how he goes with Langford before saying too much.
Sincerely yours,
A.F. Bettinson

No wonder Johnson is hissed and hooted at his every appearance on the stage here. Lovers of boxing the world over are naturally lovers of fair play. There is no other game which is so keenly sensitive to the touch of dishonor, and when there comes along a faker he generally reaps the reward for which he has sown the seen.

Langford is little better than Johnson. He has tricked and "pulled" and faked in the ring whenever it suited the purpose of his backers. He has hopped aside when Johnson almost caught with the goods on him.

I should like to see the two of 'em inside the ropes, and I'd like very much to see them winde up like the snake who got his tail in his mouth and swallowed himself holus bolus. I'd send a couple of wreaths.