Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-30
JEFFRIES AND JOHNSON
SIGN ARTICLES TO FIGHT.
Forty=five or More Rounds, Not Later Than
July 5, 1910, Before Club Offering Best
Purse, IS Per Cent. to the Winner
And Side Bet of $4,000 Each. :.

New York, Oct. 29.-Jack johnson
and James j. Jeffries-for the Negro
insisted that as present champion his
name should go first-signed articles
in New York late today binding then
to fight As or more rounds to finish
not later than July 5, 1910, before the
club offering the best financial induce
ments, the winner to take side bet OF
$4,000 and 10 per cent. of the purse
the loser to take % per cent.
The preliminary discussion was
scheduled for 3 o'clock in the banquet
hall Of the Hotel Albany. Jeffries and
his manager were punctual, but John
son elbOWed his way diffidently
through the crowd 10 minutes late. AT
the table as the men took their places
sat Jeffries, with Bob Vernon on his
left and Sam Berger, his manager, on
his right; George Little, Johnson's
manager. Johnson. Henry Considine
Honest John" Kelley, Sam Harris
Sam Nelson, Bob Murphy and other
well known sporting men.
Jeffries eyed the Negro curiously
but did not meet hts glance. Johnson
was affable, but showed his nervous
ness by his frequent grins and his
constant clicking of two red dice,
which he carried half concealed in the
palm Of his right hand.
Both principals posed for photo
graphs and when the smoke Of the
flashlight had cleared. promptly got
down to business. Jeffres let Berger
do his talking, but Johnson broke in
frequently on his manager with sug-
gestions and objections. Nevertheless
it was remarked as the articles took
form that Jeffries was winning nearly
every point for which he contended.
1t was agreed without dispute that
the men would box for the heavy
weight championship of the world" At
this point Johnson insisted without
contradiction from Jeffries that the
present champions name should pre-
ccde the retired undefeated cham
pion's name in the written agreement.
To this Jeff quietly assented. Berger
then suggested that the fight go to the
club making the highest responsible
bid within the next 80 days.
Little agreed, but Johnson, shaking
his head obviously. asked that each
bid be accompanied by $4,000 forfeit
as guarantee of good faith. Jeff
nodded and Berger gave his assent
And have a man on the ground with
the coin," stipulated Johnson. The
stenographer inserted a clause to that
effect, but when asked to read his notes
was seized with such bad attack of
stage fright that he had to be excused
A newspaper man took his place.
So far it had been easy sailing, but
when the question IF a referee was
raised. the crowd edged forward ex-
pectantly. Little for Johnson wanted
to name his choice. For the first time
Jeffrins broke in Let the club that
gets the bid have Il word" he ordered.
''Thcy've got as much at stake as we
have. Let it wait" Little was for ar
guing the point, but Johnson was all
Cancellation. well, let it CO." he urg-
ed. That's all right
The number of rounds was next in
order. so far as l CO." said Jeffries,
Il don't care if its six, 10, 90 or 100
rounds. but l know what the public
Will demand and l am going to see they
get lit means fight to the finish"
AL that the crowd cheered until Bob
Murphy had to out-shout them for or
der. But johnson was not satisfied. He
feared San Francisco club, where
only 20-round bouts are allowed might
get the bid, and in that event insisted
that 20 rounds should be specified.
Then Frisco won't get the fight"
announced Jeffries. decisively. MAKE
II as rounds or more"
Swallowing his objections. previously
voiced. the Negro agreed volubly
There was still the rock on which
most agreements split-the division of
the purse. To the surprise of the
crowd both men protested that thew
were willing to fight, winner take all
or oo and 40 per cent. or Is and 25: and
on the latter basis it was settled.
JeHries wanted to wager 100000
Johnson. more cautious, offered $4,000
Little wanted to lay the money at ring
side odds, las q business proposition"
AS compromise they agreed to let
the $1,000 already posted to secure to-
days meeting, stand, with $4,000 add.
tional to be added forthwith. "All
right assented Jeffries plaintively,"
but 1 wanted that $4,000"
great roar of laughter went IN
from the crowd and even johnson
grinned. Rob Murphy, manager of the
notei Albany, was chosen as tenn
porary stakeholder. the final Statehood
er 10 be chosen by the club
mo. suh." said johnson st hos
say where my money goes"