Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-20
BOOTS HAS CoRKING FEED
Ten-POund Ham, Forty Pounds of
KRle, Two Gallons of Beer
Ms q Filler.

At 7:46 o'clock Thursday night, in a little
back room OF a saloon in southeast WASH
ington, Boots Repetti leaned back - his
chair, wiped the oil from his Inustache
with the back of his hand, bit off piece
OF chewing tobacco and voiced a few
scathing remarks anent the niggardly hos
pitality of his hosts The latter, in the pre-
ceding two hours and forty-five minutes,
had furnished him the following repast
One 1O-pound boiled ham (skin and fat
included). two gallons of water, one barrel
Of kale, or spinach, Weighing forty pounds
when dry. and two gallons of beer.
Repetti is laborer OF southeast Wash
ington, well known for his gastronomic
ability. Boots says he is the all-roIAnd
long-distance eater Of the SOUTH ana is
anxious to defend his title against all
comers Yesterdays feat was arranged
last week, as the result Of a discussion.
Boots thought not enough OF the affair
to lay a wager on the result. Others did,
and, it is said, several hundred dollars
changed hands in the room after he had
finished.
With the principal there was nothing
amusing about the affair He had a title
to defend, and hopes of several CASTRO
nomic battles royal in the future In the
the only parts of his person he could move
unimpeded. he munched took fresh start
and muhched some more, almost oblivious to
the jests and exclamations OF wonder pass
ing between the several hundred spectators
OF the performance. Occasionally he would
smile at gsome sally directed at him, but,
as rule, he was too busily occupedA TO
reply.
The ham, supplied by Center market
butcher for the occasion, came first on
the menu. Armed with a knife, fork, large
bottle OF catsup, and a gallon pitcher OF
water. Boots attacked 1t vigorously. In
exactly forty-two minutes he had dis
patched all that part usually eaten of q
ham. Then he ate the skin and fat. He
washed 1t down with another gallon OF
water.
While waiting for the kale to be brought
to his table, Boots called for his first gall
Ion of beer. His manager sampled 1t for
him, a proceeding Boots eyed jealously.
After some one else had tasted the bev-
erage Boots called it mo count" and
called for fresh pitcher, which he guarded
carefully.
Some delay occurring in the appearance
OF the kale, Boots bethought himself OF a
means of keeping in practice. He took a
large chew of tobacco.
The kale, which when boiled down filled
three enormous platters, was brought on at
615 o'clock. The last empty platter was
taken from the table an hour and a half
later. A half pint of vinegar and pint
of olive oil had been consumed at season
ing. The second gallon of beer washed II
down.
Repetti is a former employe OF the navy
yard. At present he is working for build
ing contractor He is about five feet ten
inches in height, and weighs 165 pounds. He
| is forty years old.
Boots has been the hero Of several gas
! tronomc feats this winter. One day last
week, to determine a wager, he ate vi
meal sufficient for a family OF twelve,
at the behest OF the crew of the Mayflower.
The meal was prepared by John Schuerger,
and consisted of one roast turkey, Weighing
ten pounds one quart Of cranberries, three
quarts OF sauerkraut, one loaf Of bread,
one-half pint OF olive oil, one-hRlf gallon
of raw oysters, one pint of catsup, twelve
stalks Of celery and gallon of beer. on
] another occasion he ate out an oyster
house.
Repetti eats slowly. His waist measures
about forty inches around-washington
Post