River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-07-07
KNOCKOUT COMES IN THE FIF-
TENTH ROUND TIE NEGRO
OUTCLASSING WHITE MAN.
HEROIC JEFFRIES GAME TO LAST
Buriy Ex-Champions Old Speed and
Stamina Seemed to Be Missing
and johnson Plays
With Him.

sons, banked tier on tier, stared at a
heaving white figure PROSTATE on a
square of pink canvas and tried to
realize that what may be the last
chapter in American prize ring an
nails had been written before them.
There never has been a ring contest
that drew such an attendance and new
er before were so many thousands of
dollars fought for or paid by the sport
loving public to see fight.
The men, and the so or more wom-
en- that were scattered through the
vast audience, were dispensing east
and west and north and south. Many
of them journeyed thousands of miles
to Reno. Many have gone hungry and
many without beds, but the picture
they saw was worth it. 1t was the
g. eatest. collection of MN of the prize
ring and those associated with the
sport, of sporting writer's and other
writer's, whose names are known in
fiction, politics and travel, that has
ever been drawn together in this
country, except at national political
convention. From noon until the cur
tain went down on this battle of the
Fourth of July thousands of persons
sweltered and baked under the direct
rays of July sun to see the trial OF
skill, strength and endurance prom
Used by this combat of the two rec
ognized peers of the prize ring. And
when, after 40 minutes of concentrate
ed and intense interest, the thing they
had looked forward to for over year,
came to pass. something between
sigh and groan went up to the blue
sky, but there was little complaint.
A Great and Game Man.
These keen sporting men from
every corner of the world realized
that they had seen great and game
man die, and that past master OF
ring science had had their moneys
worth.
Through the Is rounds there was
little cheering. And when the end
came and Jeffries dropped dazed and
inert, church-like stiffness fell over
the multitude. Men stood on their hot
pine benches, their faces tense and
drawn, waiting for the fight to be re-
sumed.
Not even when Sam Berger, JEFF
fries manager, accompanied by the
big fellows seconds and number OF
vigilant newspaper men jumped
through the ropes and surrounded the
PROSTATE fighter, did the watching
crowd indicate by word or action that
the battle was over. No heed was
paid the victor except by his friends
at the ringside-the eyes of the on
lockers remained on Jeffries.
Realization Comes Then.
Realization finally came when after
lengthy interval Jeffries was famed
and rubbed into consciousness, and as
sisted to his feet and let away.
Forty-five minutes later the first
special train pulled out westward.
There was no attempt on TIE part
of the Jeffries men to brighten the
negro. They figured he would be
trembling with fear at the sight of the
white monster and there were many
cries Of "cold feet, Johnson" when
his entrance in the ring was delayed
And when the men stood up at last
to fight it out, each on their own re
sources, it was plain that the negro
was very nervous.
First Round.
At 2:45 o'clock Jeffries walked in
and tented, both smiled and Johnson
gave ground. Johnson led straight
left and landed lightly on Jeffries
face. Jeffries walked in and hooked
a left to the neck and in the clinch
sent a blow to the body. AS they
broke Jeffries sent left to Johnson's
neck and the negro stepped in but
missed. The gong rang when they
were clinched. The fighting was tame
and they returned to their corners
Jeffries slapped Johnson on the
shoulder and smiled.
Second Round.
Jeffries assumed his crouch, but
missed his first attempt. Johnson
tented, but Jeffries stepped nimbly
away. Johnson sent left to Jeffries
face and as they clinched he ripped
in hard uppercut to Jeffries' chin
Jeffries sent a right to the ribs and
took a left on the face at the close.
Jeffries crouched and waited fol
Johnson, but he was not willing. They
came together without a blow and
Johnson tried his uppercut, but miss
ed. Jeffries put his right to Johnson's