The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-07-14
JOHNSON IN n. !.
Greeted by 10000 in
Grand Central Station.
PARADE NOT PERMITTED
Colored Population Was Wild to See
Jeffries Conqueror - Does Box
ing in Vaudeville For
&26OO a Week.


New York, July 12.-Jack Johnson
was given a hearty welcome when he
arrived In this city. Colored friends
scattered thousands of dodgers which
read:
ITO Every Colored Man, Woman
and Child in Greater New York
BE at the Grand Central station at
$50 o'clock Monday morning and let
US all shake the glad hand Of the stall
wart athlete, the greatest Of the TWEEN.
tleth century.
Come any way you want. Come In
vehicles or on foot. All be there"
And | reckon they're all here said
Jack Johnson, as he alighted from the
Twentieth Century Limited and radi'
ated his golden smile" on a density
OF colored citizenry that not only filled
the station. but nearly blocked the
streets besides More In 10000 col
ored people welcomed johnson.
The fact that the train was nearly
five hours late because Of wreck
near Albany did not duh the edge Of
Johnson's greeting The police fear
ing trouble refused a permit for pa
rade. but there were a score or more
Of automobiles on hand TO escort
Johnson to the hotel OF friend. where
a reception was held.
There was lusty cheer when John
son emerged from his car and rush
to shake the champions hand. A squad
OF police formed a guard for the big
fighter and escorted him to a waiting
automobile.
Then the car hustled for the stage
entrance OF the Victoria Johnson piled
out went to his dressing room and
had only a few minutes to get ready
for the stunt which pays him $500
week
The Victoria was jammed allow and
aloft No negroes sat in the auditor
ium, but the balcony and gallery were
solid with them. The wasp wasted
Polaire wiggled off the stage and the
crowd sat back TO wait for the cham
pion Up went the curtain and showed
nothing but a punching bag swinging
gentle. A short thick-necked person
waddled to the footlights and announc-
ed to the audience that II was to have
the pleasure Of seeing the "champeen
of all champeens. Mr.. Jack Johnson"
lDhAArg ho1annU nd OaIlnFW
Hand clapping from the main fioor)
Out danced Johnson from the wings
In a blue low necked and sleeveless
jersey and blue trunks, with a silk
American flag for a belt. He flashed a
smile and went about his business.
The more you looked the more you
realized what Jeffries was up against.
Johnson moved his great bulk with a
cats quickness He tap tapped the
punching bag until he had 1t hammer
ing the oak: then he walloped It with
right and left hooks. His legs appeared
thin in comparison with his tremen-
dously developed shoulders and arms.
Finally the rope broke and the bag
went spinning. The spectators clapped
their hands enthusiastically. Johnson
grinned and ran OF the stage.
Walter Monahan, introduced as the
former amateur heavyweight cham
pion OF the Pacific coast" stepped out
to spar with the champion. Johnson
played with him through three one
minute rounds. He jabbed Monahan
lightly now and then. but for the last
part he contented himself with block
ing the white mans swings and hooks.
Toward the end of the third round
Monahan ran his nose against John
sons left glove and his upperlip red
dened. After that Johnson merely
gave an exhibition Of scientific block
ing.
There was applause all over the
house then. Johnson disappeared after
a bow or two Not man had Kissed
him or showed a sign OF fsapproval.
There was a party for Jack after the
night show and It lasted until the
morning hours. The champion bought
champagne with both hands. but he
drank very lil.lo of 1t himself.