The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-11
HOPPE NATURAL
BILLIARD PLAYER
Frank Ives Was Student of the Game.
Bat New Champion
Is Not.
HAS NEVER BEEN PRESSED
BROTHER TELLS HOW HE BEAT
FRENCH EXPERT.

One does not have to know very much
about billiards to know that Willie
Hoppe, the chg mDion bnliardist of the
world, is a wonder. Just watch him
make two or three shots on the green
clothed table and all doubt as to his
ability Will be abandoned for all time.
He can make the balls spin around al
most as he pleases; in fact, he can
make them do almost anything but
talk, and, as matter Of fact, his ma
nipulatiOn of them is very apt to make
anyone believe that he makes them un-
derstand what he wants them to do.
Frank Ives. Old-timers will tell you.
was the greatest man who ever welded
a cue. Hoppe, they are very apt to
say, is good, but nowhere near the class
of the Napoleon. There is no doubt but
that Ives was a wizard and a wonder.
but TO say that Hoppe lacks his class is
doing the young American an injustice
The difference between Ives and Hoppe
is chat the form er was a student OF the
game, while Hoppe is a natural player
The yOungster, taking his fathers word
and his own for it, never spent time in
studying angles or other things neces-
sary to. attain proficiency in the game
1t was born in him. and that counts for
more than the study of a lifetime.
Played Since a Boy.
From the time Willie was old enough
to pick UP a cue and reach with 1t he
could always be found around a billiard
table. That and his rapid advancement
are old stories, but perhaps the asser-
ton that he is the greatest player in
the world today will arouse discussion.
He has never been extended" says
his proud father, Frank Hoppe, ST.
chance to show what he can do when
pressed, and then his greatness viii
reach the point once enjoyed by Ives"
Not 10 years old until next October,
the young champion acts the part of a
veteran of a hundred championship
matches when playing. His square-set
chin denotes determination and logged
ness, something which must be as DOM
inant in billiard player as In a fighter.
Defeat is not accepted until the last
point is scored, and a little incident in
his match with Vignaux proved that.
Not Easily Excited.
The story is told by his brother
Frank, who accompanied him to
France. 1t was in the seventh inning OF
the game, and Willie had the balls IN a
position where it was impossible to miss
them. They We're hardly a quarter of
an inch from each other. The referees
head was turned for a moment. Willie
made his shot. Viganux claimed a
miss. The referee allowed the claim,
and instead of becoming ratified, as
many an older player would have done,
the yOUngster just said; "Oh, all right.
1t doesn't matter"
Vignaux's early lead never bothered
Willie. either He had figured out that
the Frenchman was trying TO wear him
out. He played safety all the way 1t
was the FTenchman who was outgener-
aled.
IF it hadn't been for the safe game
Willie played" said Frank, 81 am sure
he would have averaged a great deal
more than 20
SIosson His Next Match.
With all the honors which have been
heaped on the young wonder, modesty
is still a noticeable trait IN him He
plays around the table with the same
uncOncern as another younger boy
would with marbles He is not boast
full. He says nothing, and when the
subject Of a next match is preached he
always refers the inquirer to his father
He is just a boy with the head OF a
man of years and years Of experience
on mis- shoulders. His manner is OF one
who would earn friends wherever hs
goes, and he won many in France.
Among them was Count Drapfer, who,
after the match, presented the boy
with a beautiful diamond, ruby, and
emerald studded rooster. 1t was an
appropriate present and the only thing
about the boy which shows any signs
of Growing.
Hoppe is now spending his days do
ing a little practice. Soon he will begin
hard work for his match with George
SIOsson, which will be decided in Mad
ison Square Garden concern hall some
time in the early part OF next month
After that, his father says. Wizard
Schaeffer will be accommodated, and
then will come the big tournament in
the Garden. Vignaux may come for
that, and if he does the tournament will
surely be the biggest event of it's kind
ever held in America.