The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-03-19
JACK JOHNSON MAKES A STATE
MENT ANENT BETTER HALF.
ColOred Pugilist Talks to Chicago
Newspaper Reporter Relative to
Fight With Jeffries; Wants to Meet
Him; Darby Looks Like Giant;
He Is a Good Talker.

delphia. We were married two and a
half years ago IN a small Nevada town.
II will forfeit $1,000 if these facts
are not as | state"
] In the foregoing words Jack Johnson,
the worlds champion heavyweight pugl-
list, last night for the first time since
his arrival in this country took excep-
ton to one of a number of statements
made concerning him.
Il have always believed" said the
champion, chat q man was entitled to
some privacy in family matters, but so
many wrong statements have been
made that l felt like making contra
dictions. I cannot understand why |
have been misrepresented so frequently,
as L have tried at all times to conduct
myself in manner that, at least,
would call for courteous treatment"
Better Orator Than Jeffries.
Johnson arrived in the morning from
st. Paul and was given a cordial re-
ception wherever he appeared, although
the crush to see him was not as heavy
as when his prospective opponent, jim
Jeffries, recently passed through Chi
cago.
4 The colored champion was introduced
to an audience of his own race at a
south side theatre at night, and as an
orator proved himself far superior to
Jeffries. His wife did not accompany
him to Chicago, but stopped off at
Milwaukee.
Johnson told his hearers they had
no idea of the difficulties thrown in
his path in his quest for the title,
but that he had overcome them and
was proud to be the first man of
his color to hold the worlds heavy
weight championship. He added that
when the time came for him to de-
fend it he would do it to the best
of his ability.
The big colored fellow, who appar-
emily is the most modest man who ever
held the title, would make no predie,
ton as to the outcome of his pro-
spective battle with the boilermaker.
Will Wait for "Boilermaker."
"Jetfries is the man | want to meet
next said he, "and l hope to meet
him in the United States As the
champion [ am entitled to have some
thing to say about the terms, but
would not ask any opponent, black Oh
white, to accept treatment similar tC
that given me by Burns. All L want
is a winners and losers end, with, oil
course, a reasonable guarantee.
There is no prospect of Jeffries max
ing any announcement as to his inten
lions for some time, and [ have NJ
great desire to meet any one else.
Stories that L am under some kinC
, of an obligation to the National Sport
; ing club of London are false, and
have no contract to meet Sam Lang
ford over there, as has been stated.
. "My theatrical contracts call for my
appearance some time this year, bu
the dates are movable to suit nv con
venience. 1 have number of offer!
r In this country, which, if l accept, vii
r take up about twenty weeks of my
E time.
VIII UO u OdlVeStOH.
: "You can add that 1 expect to make
; the trip to Galveston and that l an
J. sure the white people there will give
|, me cordial reception. That is my
i home and l am speaking from pre-
, vious experience. Any report that
5 have notified the reception committe,
, that l would not go there in view
, of possible trouble is incorrect.
q Il have had no communication from
e any committee there and have sen
none."
e Il have no quarrel with Sam Fita
{ patrick. His contract expired six month
r ago and as l did not regard him as
capable manager, did not care t,
renew 1T. He is too easy going and
D did most of the work in making tn
. match with Tommy Burns. The latte
$ | will not fight again as 1 do no
a like his methods. That fight was tn
easiest of my big battles, as Burn
o tried to spar with me and found him
o self failure. Then he endeavored t.
rough it with as little success
May Inspect Fight Pictures.
Johnson weighs in his street clothe
2l5 pounds and while he looks BIZ
$ enough ordinarily, he doomed up Xix
! giant on the theatre stage.
: Efforts are being made to have John
n son remain in Chicago next week an
c appear at the Auditorium in connection
2. with the pictures of his fight wit
o Burns at Sydney. 1t has been sal
). that certain alterations have bee
: made in the films and Johnson's opin
s ion on this subject is desired
e Claims have been made by Johnson
S friends that some one wanted to hav
: Burns look right" and that the fit
y round is shown twice, while the ninth
f which shows Burns at a disadvantage
: has been eliminated. Promoter McIn
j. tosh wired from New York yesterda,
that the pictures had not been tamper
ed with and offered to pay a larg
: forfeit if such a fact could be proved
o sit is absolutely impossible to ecu
n out any of the original films withou
Tho I