The San Francisco call., 1909-01-18
JEFFRIES LOOMS AS
WELL AS TN THE
OLD DAYS
Showing of the Big Fellow on
Stage Takes Thousands
by Storm
By William J. Sfatfery

BY William j. Sfatfery
Jim Jeffrfes took San Francisco by
storm yesterday. He showed every one
of the thousands of men, women and
children who fought their way into
the little Wigwam theater, in the
Mission, that the wonderful class which
was his while he ruled as master of the
ring still clings to him. In his simple,
soft, boyish sort of way he seemed to
win everybody over. They were all for
him from the time he stepped on the
stage, and the reception he received
would have caused the fire of envy to
kindle in the breast of any victorious
gladiator of feuda1 days just back from
the field of battle.
Ladies and gentlemen, [ thank you
for your reception. l have nothing
more to say Mr.. Berger has knocked
all the speech out of me-"
This was as far as he would go in
the talk line. The frequent and en-
couaging cries of speech failed to
weaken him, and he quickly lost him
self behind the curtain just as soon as
they started. He explained that he had
nothing further to say for the. present,
and that he did not care to waste time
with lot of words which counted for
nothing.
The great champion never looked so
imposing in all his ring career as
when he stepped out as the curtain
rose for his first appearance In the
I afternoon. Without wasting seconds
tl.nle, Jeff grabbed a skipping rope, and
for five minutes hoped around the
stage as lively as he ever did when
training for one of his famous ring
battles
SHOWS GREAT FooTWORK
The crowd marveled so light was the
big fellow on his feet. He smiled as
he skipped faster and faster, his box
ing shoes scarcely making bit of
noise as they blithely touched the
we'll done that some OF the more skep-
teal advanced the theory that q speed
ball" had been fed Jeff before he made
his bow.
After dropping the skipping rope
Jeffries went at his task of shadow
boxing If his previous performance
was fast this stunt was furious. Every
move. the giant made seemed in real
earnest, and he glided around the stage
like big beast ready to spring upon
his prey. He showed the crowd every
thing he had in this line, and every
body seemed satisfied.
Next came the boxing stunt with
sam Berger. In order to make II all
the more real Billy Jordan, the veteran
master Of ceremonies. was there, aud
so was Eddie Smith, the popular Oak
land referee. All the occasion lacked
We're a few seconds in each mans cor
ner and an odd water bottle and
bucket or two. Otherwise the setting
was complete.
Jordan presented Jeff as "the great
heavy weight champion of them all,
James Jeffries, now retired" Berger
he introduced as '.one of the cleyerest
heavy weights in the world" and smith
as the great Oakland referee The
rounds of cheers from the audience
clearly showed how we'll they appre-
ciated it all.
JEFF LOOKS IMPOSING
Though the rounds were short, being
only Of one minutes duration, they
showed the big fellow to advantage in
every respect. OF course, there was
practically no hitting or rough work
Of any sort, but there was plenty of
sparring and ducking and footwork.
and, in fact, everything that goes in
real fight outside Of the all important
factor, the wallop.
Berger looked like bantam along
side jeff and those who watched the
pair go would not have believed that
Sam ever was towering figure in the
ring, although everybody who remem~
bers him in his fighting days will ad-
nit that he was. Jeff seemed so tall, so
broad and so mighty in every way
that Berger apparently shrunk away to.
a whisper when they squared for ac-
tion.
The main feature of the short bout
was the big gladiator's footwork. AL
ways remarkable for this fine point of
even his most ardent admirers by step
ping around just as he used to do when
away from Berger and he ffeinted and
danced in and out again with the swift
ness of panther and the grace of
clever waltzer. Even If he has lost
everything else jeff still retains his
wonderful footwork. They can't take
that away from him.
The only punch of Importance was
landed by Jeff in the last round of the
first bout. 1t was short left rip
and It caught Samuel amidships.
Though there was apparently no force
behind this kick it had the effect of
making Sam Vince and get away as
quickly as he could. Berger peppered
Jeffs face with few straight lefts
and the crowd laughed.
WIND GIVES OUT QUICKLY
Though he exercised no more than
10 or 10 minutes at the outside Jeffries
was sweating and putting like the old
time steam engine when it was all
progress Jeff biowed and blowed, clear
~ indicating that his wind was none
too good. He admits this himself. but
adds that it had improved hundred
per cent since he first commenced to
take light exercise about week ago.
Jeff seemed to enjoy 1t all. He acted
earnest, than vaudeville performer
bent on picking up easy money by
showing sIn the crowd a few Of his tricks.
it Throughout and when the audience
laughed he joined in the chorus. If he
felt at all abashed or inclined to give
way to stage fright he failed to show
1t by any outward sign. He looked
the same old Jeff.
Twice every afternoon and as many
times every evening during the week
Jem will do his stunt at the Wigwam
theater. Although he says he will de-
liver himself of no speeches, the gem
eral impression prevails that he is due
to come out with some startling an
nouncement from the stage before the
week is out. If he does not, then
everybody will be disappointed, for
the. sensational talk is now looked for
daily.
WITTER NEGoTIATEs FOR B0ATs
BERKELEY. Jan. 17.-Dean Gooding