Evening star., 1909-03-03
jim JEFFR|ES
REACHES NEW YORK
Police Necessary to Hold
Crowd in Check at Rail-
road Station.
Special Dispatch 10 The Star.


NEW YORK. March ".-James j. JEFF
fries, former heavyweight champion of
the world, and the only holder of the
highest pugilistic hOnors who ever volun-
tarily retired from the ring while still at
the height of his career. is now numbered
among the transient population of Greater
New York. Jeffries arrived at the Grand
Central station at ?:3O clock this morn
ing, having come direct from Chicago TO
fill a vaudeville engagement at one of the
local theaters.
Jefries was accompanied by his wife
and his sparring partner, Sam Berger.
When he stepped from the train he
faced a reception from several thousan nd
enthusiastic admirers that would have
led a spectator unfamiliar with the status
OF affairs to imagine that he was still the
title holder, instead of the gigantic Gal
weston negro. Jack johnson. For more
than one hour before the train was due
to arrive the throng had been gathering
until when the fast express rolled into
the station the crowd was so great that
the police had all tney could 90 to hold
them in check
Many of the throng who did not know
of the expected arrival of the former
premier ring gladiator. were drawn to
the station by the assembling of the
crowd. once they learned that 1t was
jim Jef1ries who was coming to town
they forgot business engagements and
other details of the work-a-day world
and lined up to witness and greet the
Californian on his entry to this city. The
majority of those of the informal recep-
tion committee were disappointed in their
EFFORTS to see or tax with Jeffries.
Only those who had arrived early and
taken their stand along the iron grating
winch divides the main portion OF the
station from the incoming train platforms
really saw the conqueror of Corbett Fitz-
simmons. Sharkey and other pugilists
who made ring history five and six years
ago.
Despite all the police could do there
was rush as soon as Jeffries and his
party stepped from the train. A great
| roar of welcome went up from those in
side the station and was echoed by the
late arrivals outside. Jeffries appeared
TO be rather startled by the enthusia tic
assemblage and lodged behind Sam Ber-
ger, although he could not hide his bulk
in this manner. The throng pushed for
ward until they had hemmed in the party
on all sides. and scores of questions were
hurled at the former champion. The prrl-
clpal Interrogation was: When are you
going to fight Johnson
Neither Jeffries nor Berger made any
attempt to answer and. aided by the Of
1cers, pushed their way slowly up the
platform and through the iron gateways.
further progress until the station had
partly cleared. The doors were closed
and the crowd pushed back slowly until
the former fighter and his retinue had
been led past the waiting rooms and into
the baggage office of the Grand Central
station.
While the crowd gathered twenty and
thirty deep about the room Il taxicab was
hurriedly sent for and upon its arrival
Jeffries and Berger each took a hold on
through the crowd to the vehicle. The
party was then taken to the Hotel AL
bany.
Jeffries' advent into New York gave the
spectators the first opportunity in several
years to size up the man who fight fans
confidentially hope will wrest the cham
pionship from it's only negro holder in the
history of pugiism. Jeffries' condition
was not a disappointment to those who
saw him. for it has been known for some
time that what training he has done to
date has not been of the strenuous order.
He still weighs close to 80 pounds. but,
considering the height and bulk of the
man and his eaSygoing life on his ranch
near Los Angeles. this is not remarkable
His complexion and eyes, however. were
clear and. despite the long trip from Chi
oago he stepped from the train in a 1.-the
and easy manner and with all the swing
and assurance that marked him in the
days when there was no one to dispute
his premier pugilistic position
Memsic-Picato Scrap.
LOS ANGELES. Cal, March 3.-The
fight between George Memsic and Frank
Picato before the Maud Junction Club
last night went the scheduled ten rounds
While no decision was rendered it was
conceded that Memsic had the better of
the fight. He foored Picato in the first
round with an upper cut to the stoma II
and had the better of each round after
ward.
Nelson to Fight Hyland.
SAN FRANCISCO. March ;s-Battling
Nelson, lightweight champion. and Dick
Hyland will fight forty-tive rounds in this
city some time ia May. according to an
agreement signed last night. The agree
ment calls for 1:; pounds, ringside
Glover Outboxes Ziringer.
PITTSRI-RG pa March 3-Johpny