The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-17
| F | It's II E r {
IT'S RIGHT
JOHNSON BEAT
FIVE FIGHTERS
George SiIer Was One OF First
to Recognize Coiored
Mans Ability.

Like many another great fighter Of
today and yesterday, Jack Johnson, the
heavyweight champion, was first point
ed out as a conner by the late George
Siler, tight referee and critic.
It happened down at Springfield,
where a number Of years ago the box
ing game was going strong enough to
enable the promoters to secure the
services Of Siler as referee at some Of
the bouts they gave. George used 70
tell the story himself. and at Johnson's
last visit to Chicago the critic and the
fighter recalled the battle royal al the
state capital where George first saw
Johnson in action.
On the evening in question one OF
the DreIiHlinaries to the main go, in
which Siler was 10 oficiate, was bat
tie royal in which six burly negroes
were TO perform. These battles royal
as they were called. IN which a number
Of fighters got into the rng a the same
time and bruised away At -ach other
until but one survivor was left, always
afforded the fans great amusement
provided the men were game
Johnson Anxious.
Five Of the negroes fu this particu.
larg battle were acquainted. Johnson
being the stranger. He had landed in
the place that afternoon. broke and
hungry Hunting up one Of the pro-
ruoteTs. he told his tale of woe saying
that he was a boxer of merit but
could get no matches and consequently
was down and out. He wanted 10 know
if by any chance he could appear that
night against any one, If only for
feed. The promoter looked him over
and saw that the big bruiser really was
fer,. r7a Il
him into a nearby saloon and sent him
at the free lunch. As the banquet pro-
crossed the proprietor told his charge
that if he could fight as we'll as he ate
he would be champion some day.
AS the black fellow showed as great
anxiety to get into a fight after the
meal as before the promoter thought it
would be worth while to try him out
and Jack was named as one Of the six
for the battle royal
He was weak and in poor condition
when he went into the ring that night.
and, besides, the other five blacks com
bined against the stranger. The whole
bunch made a rush at Jack almost as
the bell rang, and Siler said that AT
first he was sorry for the friendless
negro. But his sympathy soon changed
into admiration. Johnson dashed out
with his left and caught his foremost
opponent flush on the jaw, dropping
him in his tracks.
Jumped Through Ropes.
The next got a swing on the jaw and
he also fell, and then Jack backed up
into a corner to await the other three.
who were given some pause by the fate
that had overtaken, or rather, had come
to meet their two leaders. In a moment
a third black. urged on by his com
rades and the spectators. went to the
attack. Johnson stepped forth TO meet
him and, feinting with his left to the
body, drew down his opponents guard
and then whipped over the right like
fiash, with the result that a third negro
was hauled out Of the ring. And by
the time the attendants had lugged
the fallen boxer away the other two OPP
ponents of Johnson had made UP their
minds that the big stranger was bad
medicine OF a voOdoo man or some
thing. for they jumped the ropes and,
amid the howls OF the spectators, left
Jack the victor and owner OF the purse
SIS.
Siler, on his return to Chicago, told
one Of the local promoters about the
victor Of the battle royal, and the re-
suit was that Jack got his first real
start in the fight game.
NO finance Tor negro
Shortly afterward he came to Chica-
90, but found things in poor condition
for a negro fighter. This was the low
est ebb Of his career as q boxer. and
last winter he feelingly told Of some Of
his experiences during his first visit to
Chicago. He got a few unimp Ortant
bouts and his money ran low. He sup
ported himself as best he could, and the
free lunch suffered in proportion.
Jack told how at one time he had
gathered the immense sum OF a dime.
and went forth in search OF q place
where he could get the largest amount
for his money. At length he found q
place over on Clark street where. upon
the purchase Of a glass Of milk, one
could have as much bread as desired.
Jack bought the milk. and then
marched over to where the pile Of bread
was highest. Here he Intended 20 get a
feed that would last for a day at least
But he forgot to guard the milk While
procuring his bread some other hungry
human without the necessary ; cents
had pounced upon the unguarded milk
and when the big negro returned with
the dry bread there was no milk In
wash II down. Jack said that was the
nearest approach to knockout he ever
had received
AT duOlhsF time ne naQ received 435
for his share in a night in a nearby sub
urb, and, coming back to Chicago, pur-
chased a new pair Of braces He. ike
Joe Cans, however. liked the crap game
too well, and he even gambled his new
braces. Shortly afterwaTd he fought
his first recorded battle at Galveston
Tex, Joe Choynski being his opponent
SULLIVAN DID NOT DRAW
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