The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-10-30
J[FFR|[S AND JOHNSON GET TOGETHER
FOR FIGHT THAT SHALL GO TO A FINISH
indicated Retired Champion and Coored Holder OF Title
Sign Articles in New York---Negro Insists That
His Name Come First in Contract
That Is Drawn

New York. oct. 2s.-Jack johnson
and James ]. Ieffries-the negro in
sisted that as present champion his
name should appear first--siEncd ar
ticies here late today binding them to
fight Al ar more ROUNDS to n finish.
not later than July :. 1910. before the
club offering the best financial in
ducemcnts. the winner to take a side
bet Of $4,000 and - per cent Of the
purse. the loser to take - per cent.
Preliminary discussion was sched
nled for 8 o'clock at the Hotel Al
bany Jeffries and his manager were
punctual to the minute. but johnson
eibowed his way aiffidentiy through
the crowd 10 minutes late. AT the
table, as the men took their places.
sat Jeffries with Bob Vernon at his
left and Sam Berger. his manager.
at his right: Johnson. George Consi-
dine. Honest John Kell.'. Sam Har-
ris. Sam Nelson. Bob Murphy and
other weIl-known sporting men.
Clicks Dice.
Jeffries eyed the negro cnriously.
but did not meet his 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 prin-
cipals posed for the photographer
and when the smoke OF the flash
lights had cleared away promptly got
down to business. Jeffries let Bergea
do his talking. but Johnson broke in
frequently on his manager with sug-
gestions and objections. Nevertheless.
ii was remarked as the articles took
form. that Jeffries was winning nearly
every point for which he contended.
Ii was agreed the men would box
for the heavyweight chan nionship
Of the world" At this point Johnson
insisted that the present champions
name should preeede the retired, UNI
defeated champions name In the writ
ten agreement. To this Jeffries quick
~ assented. Berger than suggested
that the fight go to the club making
the highest responsible bid within the
next so days. Little agreed, but
johnson. shaking his head. obviously
asked that each bid be accompanied
by $4,000 forfeit as guarantee of
good faith. Jeffries nodded and
Berger gaye his consent.
And have a man on the ground
with the eoin,'' stipulated johnson.
Stenographer Ratified.
The stenographer inserted clause
to that effect, but when asked tn
read his notes was seized with such
be excused while Il newspaper man
took his place. So far ii had been
easy sailing. but when the question of
referee was raised the crowd fol-
lowed the conversation expeetantly.
Little. for Johnson. wanted To name
his choice. For the first time JEFF
fries broke in.
Let the club that gets the bid have
n word" he ordered. s'nhay've got as
much at stake as we have. Let it
walt
Little was for fixing the point. but
Johnson was all Cancellation.
We'll. let il CO." urged johnson.
The number Of rounds MAS next i'm
order So far as | go" said Jeffries.
Il don't care II it's for g. 10, 20 or 100
rounds. but | know what the public
will demand and | am going Ii see
that they get tit means n finish"
At this The club cheerca until Bob
Murphy had to demand order. But
johnson MAS not satisfied. He feared
a San Francisco club. where only
ao-round bouts ar. allowed. might get,
the bid and i'm that event insisted %
rounds should be specified.
THE Frisco ptub want tha
fight" announced Jeffries. decisisely.
Make IL Is rounds or more"
There was stu the rock III which
most agreements split-division of the
purse. To the crowds surprise both
fight winner take ALL SO and 40 per
cent or 5 and % per cent and on
tbs latter bass it Was settled.
The Side Bet.
The side bet caused ms,re difficulty.
Jeffries wanted In wager 100000.
johnson. more cautious Offered 5000,
Little, his manager wanted 10 lay
the money at ringsiae odds, ''as a
business proposition" As IA campro
mise they agreed to let the 5000 al
ready posted To secure today's meet
ing stand. with $4,000 additional to be
added forthwith.
All right" assented Jeffries plain
lively. but | wanted that 100000"
A great roar of laughter went up
from the crowd and egen johnson
grinned, Bob Murphy, manager Of the
Hotel Albany. WAS chosen as tenn
norary stakeholder, the final stake
holder To be chosen by the club,
No. snh.' said Johnson. L has