The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-03-25
(Ry c. e. Van Ioanl

person by the name OF Johnson, who
arrived In this country some days
ago, mas been the recipient OF great
deal oil attention at the hands OF the
literati OF the various cities at which
he has touched en- route from the west
and the question addressed to the re-
tired undefeated champion of all cham
pions has arisen to shrill scream:
on, Jen' He's hero. What are you
going TO say to him."
The other night Johnson sat down
at the end OF telegraph wire In tho
hope that Jeffries might be induced 10
come TO the other end and talk with
him. Messengers explained that John
son was waiting
Yes, and lot him walt" said JEFF
fries. Il wouldn't waste time talking
with him"
Regarding his intentions. JEFF main
tains his deep. unbroken silence, but
there arc times when the mountain
mutters and faint rumble comes from
1t. jeff says Johnson is no new one.
Several years ago Johnson was first
mentioned as candidate for the
championship. 1t came about through
brother of the champion.
Brother Jack at one time harbored
the suspicion that pugilistc lightning
might strike his family tree twice on
the same bench. He made a match
with Johnson against his brothers
advice, and after the Knockout Jim
grinned and remarked:
What did tell you?"
Now, Jack Jeffries was rather a
husky citizen. but when the right up
percut landed on the point or his
chin. Jacks 100 pounds were lifted
clear off the floor, 1t was then that
the first meeting OF Jenries-John
son match found its way into print
The idea was treated as great joke
and the champion was never called
upon to discuss 1t seriously,
Later Johnson whipped Denver Ed
Martin, tall. yellow negro with an
educated left hook, thus becoming the
negro heavyweight champion. This
time the mention was a trlfle more
insistent and JeffHes stated that he
would not meet a negro under any
circumstances.
A third time Johnson bobbed into
the llmelight This was before Bill
Squires WAS discovered by Burns.
There was talk of bringing the retired
champion back into the game, Dur
ing the era of frenzied finance in Me-
yada some forgotten whistling station
in the sagebrush offered $4,000 Tor a
Jeffries-Johnson battle to finish.
u wouldn't give that negro a chance
to make dollar by meeting me, said
JEFF
Now, for the fourth time he is up
again. There is difference In their
positions.
Tommy Burns. tho pretender, ls
down and out johnson holds his cham
pionship. Burns was never a great
fighter. but he hold no small skill in
culllng lemons. His one bad match
was the one which cost him the cham
pionship, and in few years the sports
OF this country Will have some diff
Guilty IN remembering whether Tom
my was a fighter OF poet. The
big black man says that ne will hight
Jeffries at any time, winner take an.
He repeats the statement that 1t was
his battle with Jack Jerries which
caused the holder OF the title to cross
the color line. He also remarks that
Jeffries, when in his best form. never
whipped a young man who amounted
TO anything.
But all this Johnson talk is sure 10
lead to something Something has
driven Jeffries to work. After each
performance he has a long seance with
the skipping rope and the shadow box
ing The big fellow is not working
for the fun OF the thing. He is not
working because he feels he must be
In better condition for his perform
ance When Johnson's name is men
toned he growls. His temper is none
of the best. but his wind lengthene
as his temper shortens. He is more
like the old Jeff.
Il don't believe" said Jefrries, that
the people want to see me fight this
fighter before I'm ready
They do not. But one thing is sure
they want JEFF to promise to fight
him, and then make 1t his business TO
get into condition to put up good
battle. Jeffries' word has always been
good. If be says he will fight he
Will go through with It.
The effect Of Johnsoas talk would
cause several people who would not
ordinarily pay any attention to a fight
er. rise and ask JeffrieS to remove
Johnson from the map,
And back Of the drop curtain, with
only a few stage hands to see, JeHries
is working every day When his wind
is sufficiently improved he may add
few sentences to the speech which ne
makes twice. daily.
"Oh, Jeffl There's black man
needs something. How about IT.