The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-11
CAREER OF JAMES j. JEFFRIEs.
Incident That Made the Young Boiler
Maker Boxer.

IL Is usually a trifiing incident which
changes the course of mans life. A
negro boxer who journeyed through the
land and made a livelihood by beating the
DULLES Of the country towns, once struck
Los Angeles. As was his habit he an
nounced that he could lick any man in
town." Someone told a big, curly-headed
boiler maker, who was christened James
j. Jeffries. Jeffries was not a bully. He
was rather the man who took 1t upon him
self to keep the town clear of DULLES. When
ever one appeared he gave him thrashing.
The boiler maker naturally concluded that
this negro must be a bully. Hence he quit
work and went after him at once He
learned that the negro wanted to fight with
gloves. and that he might have no excuse,
Jeffries offered to fight him that way. The
negro knew a lot about boxing and Jeffries
nothing. Jeffries took the punching and
learned how to box while 1T was coming.
had played on him during the early part OF
the fight and dropped him.
next day. but he had won a fight with
gloves and people interested in boxing heard
of il. He got an offer to box another man.
With every fight he learned. He Is without
a doubt the most apt pupil the ring has
ever known. He was taken on by Corbett
doubtful If he ever stood before the cham
pion of that day for round that he did
not learn something. Before long another
chance came TO fight, and again he won.
He gave IN labor and became a professional
boxer. Long before he was able to execute
one-half he knew ne was familiar anas WITH pui
in every fight he was developing. He talked
little. he worked hard. Although but few
Knew it. his mind was set on the champion
skip. AS crude as he was at Carson. he be-
lieved that he could beat Fftzsimmons. and
to that end, for that chance he worked:
He said nothing, just worked. He believed
that Fftzsimmons some day would stand
before him in the ring. 1t has come about,
and without any particular effort on the
part of Jeffries. He is one of the biggest
hearted, best natured-and although he does
not appear it-one of the most discerning
men one will meet In years ears or travel EN- 90
ree- which Fftzsimmons has practically
closed and Ii was youth and beef against
age and experience Inc , one Dabei n,r tnat
snip honors was fought with Tom Snarkey
at San Francisco, May 6, 1888. He succeeded
of lighting. and since that time mas always
been considered when championship mate
rial of the future was talked OF.
Jeffries Is an all-round athlete, well as
a fighter and despite his 30 pounds he ran
100 yards In eleven seconds and accomplished
many other athletic feats of which to be
of great agility and takes kindly to prepara-
tory work. Like Fitzsimmons his early life
was spent In hard manual labor that en-
dowed him with an abundance Of muscle and
a constitution that can stand any kind or
wear and tear. Born in Ohio twenty-three
years ago Jeffries went to California when
five years old and has lived there ever since.
His wonderful development has rarely been
excelled. His ring record follows:
1885, Rounds.
July &Knockout, Dan Long. San Fran
cisco ...s.... ...........''..''.'''.'' q
Feb. 27-Knockout, by j. ]. Corbett Qn
training). Carson City, Nev...............
April 9-Knockout, 7. Buskirk. San Fran
May 1S-Knockout, Henry Baker, San
FRANCISCO .....:... ...:............
July 16-Draw, Gus Rubin, San Fran
Nov 30-Draw, Joe Choynski, San Fran
CISCO .................. ~
Feb. 2s-won, J. Goddard, Los Angeles.
March 22-Won, p. Jackson, San Fran
cisco ........... ........ --...........-.... d
April 2-Knockout, p. Everett. San Fran
May 6-Won T. Sharkey San Francisco. 20
Aug. 5-Won, Bob Armstrong. New York 10
In everything save experience Jeffries had
an advantage over his antagonist, and II
was this fact that caused many ring follow
ers to hazard their money with the boiler
makers chances, believing that the time
might have come when Robert Fitzsimmor,s
was due to go the ultimate way of all cham
pions. The measurements Of the two men
are e follows.