Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-05


if a less popular champion ever held
the title.
There are several reason contrib
uting to this but probably no one
factor was more potent than the in
huence Of the beautiful and perfect
ly educated and refined white wO-
man whom Johnson calls wife.
standing up in the arena between
rounds and throwing kisses and
waving salutes to the black man.
But popular or otherwise John
son is every inch the champion and
in the whole galaxy Of ring stars on
hand yesterday. probably the great
est assemblage Of the kind ever
brought together. there was not one
ft to shy his castor into the ring.
And the Yellow Streak!
Clearer day never dawned than
yesterday, so clear in fact in the
desert atmosphere. that the noun
tains, IS miles from the arena,
seemed but a stones throw away,
yet there was not one Of the %, 600
who Witnessed the contest and
sought for a glimpse Of the saffron
hued streak. that was able to dis
cern Il. Even in the earlier rounds
Of the battle, before he was able to
know as he did a few moments lat-
er. that he was fighting only the
shadow OF the former California
grizzly" johnson was the coolest
and most uneoncerned man in the
arena, STEPPING out to meet the man
who was the odds on the favorite
over him. as thought the former had
been an unknown amateur. John
son promised to give the spectators
a surprise scarcely expresses it. He
had intimated that he would not
convert the battle into a pursuit race
but that he would stand up toe 70
toe with the mighty JEFF was more
than even his friends expected.
That the happiness and care-free
spirit OF the black man on the day
before the battle was not merely
mask was shown during every mo
ment of the battle. That celebrated
johnson smile never deserted him
and at every stage of the game he
was absolutely cool, kidding his
huskier opponent and tautalizing
him by telling him where the next
blow was TO land.
Nor can credit be denied Johnson
for winning under conditions abso-
lutely unfavorabIe. There are many
states in the union where black
men enjoy a greater popularity than
in the Sagebrush commonwealth.
The talk Of possible gun play II
event OF the negro's winning, taken
in connection with the fact that
practically every cent OF Nevada
money was bet on JeH. was not idle
twaddle In the arena not one per-
son in 40 was an admireT or hacker
OF the negro and not one person in
40 was OF h's own blood But the
champion never worried nor never
laid aside his good natured grin,
not even when jeers and even in
suits were hurled at him by those
about the arena and when the time
came 10 put over the finishing punch
there was no hesitancy nor falterit :.
But If Johnson showed TO advan-
tage in action. he made his biggest
hit in his moment OF triumph. when
with his friends crushing about him
TO press their congratulations. he
brushed them aside and, striding
across the ring, took the limp hand
OF his defeated adversary, shook il
warmly, apologized for having had
to beat him up so badly, assured
him Of his appreciation of his game
ness and expressed the hope that
there would be no hard feelings.
There was a simplicity and OBJ
vious sincerity about the negro's ae-
ton that showed all the better side.
OF his nature.
Johnson won through his maTve-
lous defense and his ability at in
fighting but more credit is due him
for his gameness in facing unrufied
a man. experts had pronounced in
vineible. than for the way he fought
A man less clever than Johnson could
have beaten Jeh yesterday but a
man with less heart or courage
could not have been induced 70 enter
the ring with the heretofore unde-
feated marvel.