The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-09
THE CHAMPION BIAL1ARDIsT.
Interview With Mr.. Harvey McKenna
Who is Now in Jacksonville.

Who is Now in Jacksonville.
From, the Jacksonville (Fla) Times Union,
A representative of the Times Union had
a very pleasant conversation with Mr.. Nc
Kenna Wednesday This gentleman claims
to be the champion billiard player of the
world, and is attracting a great deal of at
tention all over the country.
How long have YOU been playing at bill
lizards. p asked the reporter
I've been travelling and have obtained
living at billiards, either by teaching,
giving exhibitions, or by contests with ex-
perts, ever since | was Is years of age. [
first commenced to play in my home, at
Detroit, Mich, when about 10 years of age
| became interested in the game at that
time and the manipulation of the balls
seemed to come natural to me- All that |
know about billiards | learned myself,
never having had any regular instructions
at the game. Since taking it up |
have practiced it necessarily giving
1t at all times my entire attention
and much hard study. Up to 1885
Travelled through the Western and Middle
States, coming in contact with about all the
poted players in those States, meeting with
victory almost everywhere. I spont 1859
in California, after which | returned East.
In 1885 | played a match with the late Lon
Morris in San Francisco of 1000 points, at
which | was defeated, though | was sick at
the time. The first night broke the record
there, running l,64l points. Since that time
L have never lost game and have played
with all the noted billiardists In the world.n
Can you tell me of some of your best
contests9'
"On May 6, 1886, in Brooklyn. played
one of the finest billiardists in New York
In order to get myself before the public |
offered to play any one 500 or no count for
taybi I
match was finally arranged, and succeeded
in winning the game. The press and
twenty-five of the finest local players were
invited by Morris DAILY, at whose room
played, to witness the contest the result of
which gave me the first general nororiety |
ever had in the East. | was to win three
games of 500 and no count, which | did
with ease.
1.-THE next match was in New York, Aug.
6, when played ! 900 and no count, beat
ing another noted player, summing 1000
points in one inning. Next played Heiser
at Saratoga. Here | spotted the balls at
every 100 points and defeated him Next
l played Billy Burnley, of Grand Rapids,
Mich, on May %, 1887. | played 1000
points, 500 and no count, and the first run
/ made was $50. / missed then and had to
run 500 over again. The score at the con
clusion of the game stood !, 406 TO l59 in my
favor. The next match was with Knox,
the champion of Canada. l played him a
fourteen-inch blank line and discounted him
1000 points and defeated him. The game
stood 600 to 420. My average in the game
was II. played him the next night 1000
and no count and scored 1 600 on the second
inning, and Knox made g. The next
match was in Boston, on December 3, 1887
| challenged any one in New England and
offered TO give the odds. / played 5000
points to their 500 Fred Eames, the
champion of New England accepted,
and we played on Dec 81 and
%, last. 1t was understood that
could make $500 a night while my oppo-
nent was allowed the opportunity of making
his 800 and winning the match in one night
if he could do so. The first night the innings
stood: Mckenna, first inning, nothing; sec
ond inning, 3, and the third inning 2.497.
Eames only making 4. The next | made
$500, running :, III in the eleventh inning,
thus winning the game and beating the
worlds record both nights Eames total
score was -. In this game my average
was 4l6 % points, which is the best ever
made by any one at billiards."
What brought you to Florida this sea-
sonp
well came principally on account of
my health My right lung is very much
affected, and hoped that the climate would
benefit me, which it has done. Now that |
am here, as soon as my health will permit,
| intend to give few exhibitions in fancy
playing