The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-09

STAFF Correspondence The Washington Herald.
Baltimore. Aug. S.-Sustained almost
constantly by oxygen and hypodermic
injections that hold tenaciously to the
tniest shreds Of vitality. Joe Cans. Ia
nous ring master and for many years
non2aren champion of all the lighter
hstic classes. elings incomprehenslvely to
life as he lies dull and Indifferent at the
home Of his mother in this city.
lie is away down In the valley. with
the shadows about 70 close over him at
any moment His many friends and ad-
mirers who have called 10 see him feel
a pang az the sight Of his worn frame
and drawn features.
Not a semblance has he OF the former
fighting machine of the ring that plug
ged and bored almost inhumanly at other
lighting machines. Old Father Time is
already monotoning OFF the count
Cans now seems unable TO realize his
condition AT the start Of his journey
across the continent TO die in nanny s
arms" he was apparently well aware
i
distant Reaching home, though. he
drifted or into a sort OF Indifference 10
bis impending death and frequently re-
marks, with all assurance. Il believe III
pull through an right soon"
The champion was particularly de-
lighted 10 see his old manager. Al Her
ford. on whom he has relied as a brother.
and who has helped pilot him 10 many
victories. incidentally. IL might De men
toned making a number OF comfortable
fortunes FOR the promoter.
CIIngs 10 Al Herford.
you stay with me, Al" DE pleaded,
while being transferred 90 the ambulance
at Union station In Baltimore.
And Al did. recalling and chatting %
Old contests that cheered up the sick man
perceptlbly. At one time he was at the
side Of Cans for nearly seven hours con-
tinuously In fact. every spare chance
he can get he drops In TO see non
"Joe's getting along"
In ali the chatting and conversation
not a word is spoken OF the approaching
end. Scores OF admirers OF the game lit
tie man have called since he reached his
home here Friday afternoon. but Cans.
while greeting them all cheerfuIy
though somewhat patheticaIly, seems
powerIess to grasp the meaning Of the
unusual stream OF visitors.
All OF these men have stood by Cans
as one Of the ''whitest followers OF thu
squared circle ever since he began 10 at
trsct and display rhat tenaciousncss and
skill ia the ring that bore down many a
confident opponent and blasted the hope.
of aspiring communities Many are men
too, with the race question and incl
dental high feeling well developed IN
them. but the question never bobbed W
where Joe has been concerned.
That phase Of Joe's life and conduct
has been the most powerful force ia his
great and undiminished popularity with
the white followers Of the sport. Always
he has recognized and quietly observed
that line OF demarcation between the so-
cial status Of the white race and his
own. Never has ne attempted TO over
step the bounds to give cause for Of
Tense TO the least critical He has met
scores OF men, big politically. financially.
ard in other lines. but he has never been
presumptuous or attempted presumption.
Was Great FavOrite.
His conduct at his lourishing hotel in
Baltimore, the GoIdfeld, serves as az
Illustration Of this The Goldfeld does
a great trade with white patrons-au.
,of course. sporting men OF varying de-
grees ana status. and principally. too. be.
cause IL has become "a sort Of clearing
house Tor fight news OF every class.
Here Cans had been greeted on ar
equal basis.
Hello. Joe; how's things2" You're
getting habby, Joe. don't believe YOU re
good for a Philadelphia finish bout,
What 90 you think Of Ketcheu and
Langford?" and so on, were the ex-
changes.
Joe possessed a great good tact i'm
gauging these calls from the sporting
men and newspaper writer's. and he
seemed always 20 have Il in constant use.
In fact. with Cans alone concerned. the
race question seemed apparently to OBJ
literate itself
Cans is the exceptional champion ring
ster who viii pass 20 the great beyond
with an undiminished multitude Of ad-