The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-06
De Orc. Who Won Tourney at the
Broadway. Is a Native of
Manzanillo.
WAS A BOY WONDER WITH CUE.
Learned Game While Attending
a Private School in New York
Beat Cue Experts While
a Mere Lad.

Alfredo De Orc. the wonderful cuban
pool player. decided beyond the question
of a doubt the much-mooted question of
the pool championship. when he beat
Jerome Keosh at the Broadway last
Tuesday night by a score of LIS to 20.
De Oro's win was remarkable inasmuch
as he had beaten the same players before
in almost precisely the same manner.
The Cuban's victory gave to him the
trophy embIematic of supremacy. De
Orc now holds practically every medal
offered in open competition for the last
fifteen years. and perhaps the only cham
plonship medal which he does not possess
Is the one held by Grant Eby. who won
the emblem from Clearwater.
In many respects De Orc is the most
remarkable cueist now before the public.
During the last five years he has had
three operations performed on him. and
only his remarkable nerve and will power
give him the strength with which to fin
ish out a grueling pool game.
Last year while De Orc was here some
one accused him of sheltering a yellow
streak. De Orc heard of the remark and.
white with anger at the false accusation.
he called together a conference of news
paper men and representative managers
of pool and billiard parlors. In the Grand
Billiard Hall he exposed to view the work
that the doctors knives had done in re-
storing him TO partial health. and not a
man present but expressed the greatest
admiration for the nerve the Cuban dis
played in playing under such difficulties.
DE ORC ALWAYS GRITTY.
De Orc four or five years g was Sc
verely afflicted with stomach and kid
ney troubles. He had three operations
performed on hin. and the doctors gave
occasion. Still De Orc played a battle
with death and won.
When he emerged from the hospital two
years ago he was but a wreck of his for
mer self. Last year. while here. he was
so weak that he could not finish a COM
plete game of pool and had to sit down
often while prscticing for mis- match with
1s5 pounds In weight to 100 pounds. and
only his nerve held him up. In perform
ing their operation on him the last time
remove his left kidney through his right
side. and the gap that their knives left in
his abdomen is now protected by a heavy
pad. almost as large as a small pillow.
dition. De Oro's gameness has never been
disputed. and the very few who even
doubted his courage were. convinced of
his thorough m when they saw
kiAs nv8h aiiA iN1oSh.
De Orc is a gentleman pool player ana
Is said to be the possessor of, considerable
means.
His father owned a large plantation at
Manzaniilo. Cuba. where Alfredo was
born and reared.
When De Orc was old enough to attend
school his father sent him to take the
academic course in one of the ~well-known
private schools near New York City.
DE ORC a BOY WONDER.
1t was there that De Orc learned the
game of which he is now complete master.
During his leisure time De Orc was con-
stantl- wcrking with the cue and ivories.
and very shortly he attracted the atten-
ton OF the poo. experts who made Foiey's
their headquarters.
The little Cuban boy showed such ex-
pertness that some of the GUESTS entered
him in a tournament and De Orc won.
De Orc first played under the name of
Balboa, as his father ~strenuously objected
to the youngster devoting SO much time
and energy to the game OF continuous
pool.
Finally De Orc showed such undoubted
ability that he got on matches with Man
ning. Powers and Pat Walsh. Strangely
enough. some OF De Oro's most amusing
experiences were with Walsh. This play
and as fast az he could get money enough
to make the game worth while. he would
challenge De Orc. Walsh seldom won
from the champion. but he seemed to be
happy when he had a chance TO stack
up against the Cuban.
Finally Walsh dropped out OF the pool
element arourd Foley's, and De Dro had
some rest. but as long as Walsh had
money De Gro never wanted for a game.