The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-02-05
TO.NIGHT'S GAME.
Arrival of the Champion Bililardlst,
Jacob Schaefer--His Rise to
Prominence.

Mr.. Jacob Schaefer, the champion bill
lard player of the world, accompanied by
his manager, Mr.. R. A; Newland, arrived
in the city this morning from Chicago,
and is making his headquarters at the
Rock Island honse 1t was expected that
Tommy Wallace, a young billiards.: OF
considerable note, would come with them,
but he was detained in Chicago by i'll
health. An ARGUS representative had
the pleasure of meeting the Wizard.
las Mr. Schaeeer is called this morning.
He was born in Milwaukee just thirty
years ago Monday. When but baby
his family moved to Leavenworth, Kan,
where the greater part Of his early life
was spent. AT the early age of ten. the
Wizard, as he was called by his friends,
commenced to develope the natural talent
which he seems to have inherited, for
playing billiards, and from that time on,
to use his own expression, he has lived
over a billiard table He first made his
debut as professional in 1877 and in the
following year created Il sensation by
making the biggest run on record in the
straight rail game, and also by defeating
Slosson by making 5000 points in three
innings of an average Of 1881 points
Since then he has steadily advanced il
the profession until he holds the
champion emblem for the Balk lint
game, for the straight rail game, and thu
Irish Relief Fund emblem. During hi
career he has played great many
matches, the exact number of which h
was not able to give without reference tt
some of his records But of these he ha!
won by far the greatest number. Hi:
games with Slosson and VineauX have
given him the greatest prominence. Witt
the former he has played eleven game!
and won six, with the latter 3 and woI
two, both in this country, while he los
two in Paris and one in his native land
Mr.. Schaefer was unable to give off han(
the number of matches he has won or hi
highest runs in the different styles o
games. 1t is well known, however. tina
he has made the highest averages in al
the games and in some of them the high
est runs. Regarding his playing he say
it comes naturally to him to make shot
and that practice has developed this tsl
ent. His only brother who lives in Chi
cago is also naturally a good billiard
player, but as he does not care for tn
game he has never become proficient il
the profession. Schaefer is married
man but has no family.
The game tonight promises to be yer,
close and exciting. At straight rail bill
iiqrds Mr.. Cation is perfectly at home
and he plays an exceptionally stront
game. His grand achievement over Nc
Laughlin in Chicago, has given him
world wide reputation, and it will onl
be a matter OF a short time when he vii
be foremost in the biliardistic world
The arrangements at the theatre are per
| fected and there will be no difficulty il
Witnessing the game from any part of TIL
house. Mr. E. A. Knickerbocker' tabl
will be used for the game, and today Gu
Miller covered it with new cloth so tina
it would be in perfect order Everybod
who is at all interested in billiards shoul,
be on hand tonight as Rock Island will
hardly again be bonored by the presenc
of the champion of the world. Ladie
are especially invited to attend.