Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-02

CHICAGO. March 2.-TEat James j.
Jeffries is still the most popular fighter
in the United States was proved yester-
day afternoon, when the police had to DC
summoned TO clear the streets about the
Sherman House, where the big fellow
took refuge after his arrival at noon
Jeff had considerable difficulty making
his way into the building. where he was
besieged with interviewers anxious 10
find out If he really intended to enter
the ring again to fight Jack Johnson.
The former champion said
THE interview in which / am repre-
scented as saying that l had decided to
meet Jack Johnson and that ] thought
il was up to me to retrieve the honor
OF the white race and all that rot was
4 simple fabrication. l never said any
thing of the sort.
1T would be foolish of me TO make any
such assertion until l know just what
my actual condition is and whether l can
be the fighter of the past once more.
! am now trying to learn just how far
! can go and what shape ] can train
into. Not till that is definitely settled
to my own satisfaction one way or the
other will | make a definite, authorized
statement - TO my boxing plans
Got a Fine Reception.
The huge ex-champoin reached the
Northwestern depot just before noon. He
must have been fattered at the recep-
ton he was given by an enormous crowd.
The big fellow reiterated his denial of
the Omaha interview and called upon
Sam Berger to corroborate him. Sam
the same handsome youth who once
thought he was sure to be the next
champion. and who is now content to
spar with Jeffries a partner-told
things more fluently than Jim, for Sam
was ever a ready talker. He used to
sell necktieS and had to talk fast in that
profession.
The interview" said Sam. was coined
by the interviewer. He did all the talk
ing. advised Jeff in fatherly fashion and
management during the conversation.
jeff was tired and not especially talk
alive. You should go get the money,
jim said the talker. 'Um,' said Jim.
You can whip this black fellow he went
on. I'm, said Jim. In a few months
you will be ready to defend the honor of
the white race, and the American public
calls on you to do it, he concluded. 'Um,'
said jim In short, he made himself In
terview himself as he went along. Jim
never once said in actual words that he
could or would not do any special thing.
Wants to Know Himself.
It's this way with me-" said Jeffries.
Il
stage OF the game l suppose I should not
say / won't. But 1 positively will not
make binding statement till / know I
am fit and right. Good. steady training,
boxing on the road. correct living, if 1
find that these things put me right and
j seem to have all the strength and speed
] used to own ] can talk. Not till then.
j would be foolish and the big fellow
stretched his great bulk with an amiable
yawn.
Dan Stuart will be up from Hot Springs
and will have a talk with jeff. Stuart
thinks that he, if any one. can get jeff
to come out of his spell and agree to
battle.
One thing is sure. a glance at the
big fellow will show. He is no soak, full
of California steam beer or other decoc-
TONS nor has a lazy life made him into
a paunchy giant. He is simply big.
very big, man. but the surplus flesh
should vanish. while his face is already
far from puffy. In short, Jeffries today
is the Jeffries of the old time between
fights. He is not the grizzly bear of the
ring-that will take months to bring back
but neither is the hippo Of the game.
lie Is also wise and refuses to be a goat
until he feels his way further.