The San Francisco call., 1909-02-13
SEATTLE HANGS UP
100000 FOR
JEFFRIES
Johnson Says He VIII Not Be
Ready 10 Fight for Many
Months Yet

Seattle is the latest town to get into
the game with a fabulous offer for =
fight between Jenries and johnson. Last
night JEFF was handed wire at The
Empire theater. and when he opened II
his eyes rested on the largest amount
ever offered a pair Of fighters in any
country or at any time. These Seattle
men are no pikers. for their bid for the
big white man and the big black man is
S2O0. 600. However. the offer does not
specify whether this is stage money
conversation money or money with the
3i7scial stamp OF ncle Sam. The tele-
gram which the big fellow received
j. J. Jenries, care Wigwam theaIer
san Francisco: Two hundred thousand
dollars 10 night Johnson at Alaska Ylt-
-Pacinc exhibition. Will you ac-
cept2 JOHN c. BARTLETT,
wv. GORDON Jr"
This fabulous offer only tended "a
make the big fellow scratch his head
and smile one Of those peculiar smiles
Of his. He did not answer the wire last
night. but decided to wait for d while
and il possible ind out something more
definite about the proposition. Be-
sides he has his theatrical offer 10 ful-
III. and he can not very well turn this
down ia lhs meantime.
Neither Jemries nor the other
sporting men about town know
~ nobody was in a position last
night to pass any comment upon this
latest offer, which failed to give any de-
tails as TO date or how the purse
should be split. The very fact that the
omer is a six figure one is enough to
cause all the wise lads to look at II out
Of the corner Of their left eyes.
And while they are all wiring JEFF
fries, expecting results, they seem "a
have neglected Johnson. who yesterday Y
gave out his first real lighting state
menL According 10 this he is not
ready TO meet anybody for many
months TO come. but he win not bar
any OF them when the proper time ar
.riVes. He viii land in Vancouver the
middle Of next month. and. according &c
ms plans, VIII go direct to his home in
Texas and then to England 10 night
Eangford in May. Following is John
sons latest word to the world:
MELBOURNE, Feb. TT am will
ing 10 fight James J. Jenries. Tommy
Burns or any other man alive, in
America, Australia or any part of the
CIVILIZED world where sufficient induce
ments are offered" This was the fare
well message Of Jack Johnson the
champion heavy weight pugilist. on the
eve Of his departure for the United
states A fight for the championship.
ever must pc qeIerred Tor some
months, as II is JOhnson's purpose
nrst 10 fulfill A theatrical engagement
IN London and go on for a limited
round bout before the National snort
ing club in that city with sam Lang
ford
Johnson leaves here tomorrow for
sydney 10 catch the steamer Makura.
which viii sail next Monday for VAN
couVer at which port she is due about
March J.. From Vancouver Johnson
win proceed TO Galveston. Tex. where
he viii spend a week with his parents
i viii do no boxing or other bust
ness in the United States and I have
given no authority for the statement
that has been published that I will
then nght Stanley Ketchel.'' Johnson
said. I understood that Jeffries had
definitely said that he would never re-
enter the ring. If. however, Jeffries
has decided 10 accept the purse OF
$4,000 offered by Sam Allen Of Mel
bourne for a match in Australia with
me i am willing TO return here in l2
months and give him a chance TO win
the title he once held
Il have arranged to reach London
the first week in April and proba bly,
VIII Immediately begin my music hall
engagements. The date Of the contest
between LangfOrd and myself before
the National sporting club will not be
definitely determined until I arrive in
London.
Il am out for business all the time
as the people OF England viii find out
when I reach there"