The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-07-07
BACK LEARNED TO
FIGHT in JAIL
5oe CkoynsRi Save Him Good Lessons
When They Spared After
Being Arrested.

RENO. New. Special After
Eroping through the dust clouds
raised BY scores OF buzzing autos on
rOad 10 Jack Johnson's training quar-
tiers. there was more discomfort ahead.
But IL was all Tor Johnson.
The interviewer, after the cham
pion had unwound his lash-Iike fin
Eere. blew on his hands a few times,
and asked Johnson for a moment Of
quiet
rsore,'' said johnson, as he eapered
out Of the gym and sQuatted in chair
that was so low it brought the big
champions knees under his chin.
,rll L. you all know" assured
johnson. 1t viii take at least FIVE
minutes IL hurry" said Johnson,
showing his Worldwide famous
golden smile" 1T looked almost
Joe ChoynsiSi showed me the first
batch Of fine points I ever learned
about boxing
where end wken?'' / asked. in
gleeful memory of having just seen
.Choynski at work with Jim Jeffries.
sOh. In Galveston jail nine years
ago" announced Johnson, as though
that little confession was one wee in
cident in long chain of sensations.
Yes. Joe could box. Of course, i
have learned a lot more since then.
was raw kid when Choynski
knocked me out in three rounds. We
were both arrested, and as cellmates
boxed roatiLoally until the case was
settled
Tells OF Early Days.
johnson playfully referred to his
climb. I can remember when pork
chops made banquet for me- and
chicken roasted too high. But / fought
everyone the American public asked
me to, didn't /? have never said
that Mr.. Jeffries could not fight or
that would show him up. If Mr.
Jeffries had been willing, we would
have settled this question five years
ago
Johnson always refers TO his rival
as MIR. Jeffries''
While Sunday sightseers were flock
ing into All corners of the camp and
gazing IN awe upon the broad shout
dera sleek limbs and massive biceps
OF the champion in q bag-punching
stunt. q Texan who is acting as bet
ting commissioners for a Galveston
pool told of Johnson's early history.
Leo Posner, manager of the old
Galveston Athletic Club" he said,
was the first to give johnson a
chance One day a negro giant named
Charlie Brooks called at the club.
.hLr- Posner, have something soft
outside and I want you TO put me on
with him. John Arthur Johnson is
his name, and he looks the part Pos
ner saw a shutting, good-natured ne
gro summing himself and grinning at
lOSn2Q
Johnson until the time of the fight
and then tried 10 continue it. In the
second round Johnson snapped a right
nook TO Brooks jay, and we had a
new wonder among the negroes.
AFTER Few fights with State and
county champions Joe Choynski came
along and was matched with Johnson
JACK didn't know anything about the
inner points OF boxing, and was easy
Tor Choynski in three rounds. That's
H.,
johnson, but as that happened nine
years ago, when novice, 1 think
some of the critics ought to quit harp
Ing on that part of the champions
record.
YES: there is a decision against
him. twenty-round exhibition with
Marvin Hart, but that affair was so
raw that the odor penetrated all sec
} lions OF the country, and all the wise
ones knew the inside story OF the af-
fair. / cant see anyone as Johnson's
superior IL you think Jim Corbett
was better boxer I'll differ with YOU
johnson an Easy Boxer.
This talk abou, Johnsons fat
rooted style OF boxing simply means
that he does not tire himself out by
dancing on his toes. He glides over
the moor or canvas so smoothly that
ne does not appear to be moving fast
There is nothing labored in Johnsons
enorts. he works so naturally that
he does not attract attention. In the
ring he performs along the same lines
as Lajoie In baseball-does startling
things. but so easily that the crowd
doesn't realize the sensational part of
hfe EFFORTS" =,
students of human and other ma
1ure are Fostering the fighters daily.
In the study Of the big athletes. the
deep prober finds men of directly OBJ
posite types throughout The white
man is serious, solemn and reticent
10 point approaching surliness.
Johnson, with legal papers nitting
about his head and court cases ahead
IN several States, drugs out tunes on
a big bass VOL, does a buck and wing.
and calls for food and fuilNsin large
helpings, 49,
Two serious minded EasternerH
tourists, who came to Reno before it
was decided upon as a battle ground.
TO study the conditions in the divorce
colony, TODD me that their interest in
the ring contest was based solely upon
chance for a study of psychology
With aajectives that would fell =
heavyweight, these high proved dig
nitaries tried to discuss theosophy.
psychology and the immortality of the
soul nnafiy pinning me to AN express
sion or an opinion on the psvcholoai-
cal end OF the battle.
This conclusion was reached: The
psychological moment will arrive
when Jeffries removes his bath robe
and shows his hairy chest If John
son can weather that sight and the
shouts Of thousands of Californians.
VINO are likely to yell, Kill the Mig
ger, Seff, there viii be at least an
even chance for the present cham
pion."