Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-15
THE VISIT or CHAMPION JEFFRIES

lie Receivad an ovation ana Gave n SPLEEN
did Exhibition OF His Fistic Prowess at
the Academy OF Music.
James j. Jeffries, champion heavy
weight pugiist Of the world, visited
Wilmington Tuesday, and received
an enthusiastic ovation. He reached
Delaware avenue station at 2. 0S D. m.
and was driven to the Hotel Whining
ton in harouche drawn by four white
horses. An enormous crowd made the
drive triumphal procession, aud the
same crowd hung around the hotel or
the Academy Of Music, where Jeftries
appeared at night, then back to the
hotel, and finally to the railroad sta.
tion, never dissolving until the world
champion was steaming away to other
fields of triumph.
Under the auspices of the Empire
Club, Jeffries appeared in the ring at
the Academy OF Music, last evening,
and spared three exhibition rounds
with his sparring partner, Jim DAILY.
The champion is magnificent speci-
men of physical development, picture
delightful to look upon. There is not
the suggestion of 2l0 pounds Of ayerdu-
pois in his appearance and action. He
does not look the giant On the con-
trary, he simply appears to be finely
proportioned man of ample build and
graceful contour. His muscular devel-
orment, however, is apparent, and his
quickness of motion--hands, feet and
body-most amazing. A look at him
in ring costume ut once reveals his
championship form.
The three rounds Of sparring were
merely an exhibition, but they were
highly attractive. Jeffries plainly
showed his graceful ease and his won
derful agility, and gave good idea of
his tremendous hitting powers. With
o single exception the blows he admin
istered were merely taps, designed to
show how he can hit, but one poke, in
the third round, was evidently more
vigorous than the, champion intended,
and fairly lifted his partner from the
floor.
The audience was generous in en-
thusiastic applause, and Jeffries was
compelled to make an acknowledge
ment. He returned thanks and prom
sed modestly to do his best to retain
his championship honors. Later, he
left on the IL o'clock B. d. o. train for
Philadelphia.
Two lively l0-round bouts comprised
the other features of the exhibition.
The first was between John Henry
johnson, colored, of Philadelphia, and
John Henry Ward of Wilmington. 1t
was scientific and interesting from
start to finish, both men putting up
the finest kind of game. 1t was de-
oided draw.
The other bout was between "Kid"
Bernisconi of Philadelphia and Frank
Welch, a long legged lad from Ken
sington. The KID is something fine
in his way, but he met more than his
match in his skinny opponent. The
manner 10 which WEIGH landed blow
after blow on tho Kids" face and
neck and got away without return, was
marvellous. His foot-work was the
hest and neatest ever seen here. He
punched his, opponent about three
times to each blow be received, although
the kid" was by no means slow when
he got chance, and administered
some "rib-roasters' that left vivid
marks.
Referee MCDANIEL gave the decision
to Bernisconi. The audience. despite
the fact that the skid" was the prime
favorite with them. vented their disap-
proval of the decision in storm of de-
risive and indignant boots and yells.