The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-08-08
TIP WRIGHT COLUMN
70 the Sporting Editor:

To the Sporting Editor:
After reading Jas. J. Jeffries
statement in the Times, let me say
that If he says he wasn't right
for eight days before the fight, OF
even one day before the fight, why
did he telegraph Mr.. Ike LEVIN
sohn of the Congress cafe, Chica-
go, at Pas p. m. July A that he
was never better in his life and to
bet on it?
The telegram was posted on the
show window for the public to
see, and was signed Jas. j. JEFF
fries. Lewnsohn and his brother
Dave are Jeffries' warmest
friends, and it doesn't seem pos
sible Jeff would advise them so
if he wasn't feeling right, does
it? l saw the telegram, as did
thousands of others. SILAS.
I'll answer your query, "Silas, "
and if the answer isn't satisfac-
tory, just ask Dave Lewnsohn for
an explanation, and see if he tells
you different.
In the first place, I make this
statement without fear of con-
tradiction, basing it upon my
knowledge of Jim Jeffries:
The telegram which you say was
posted in Lewnsohn's cafe was
NOT written by Jim Jeffries.
Neither was it dictated by him.
At 2:45 p. m. July a Jeffries
was in his dressing room in the
arena, and he had been there for
an hour with no one but his train
ers near him. Dave Lewnsohn was
sitting at the ringside, far from
Jeffries.
The telegram posted in LEVIN
sohn'S window was written by
some one else. Possibly Dave
Lewnsohn sent it to his brother.
quoting words he heard Jeffries
utter in conversation.
Dave Lewnsohn was about the
Jeffries cottage for several DAYS
prior to July A. l don't doubt he
bet some money ON the big fell
low but l would doubt the asser-
ton, made by anyone that Jim JEFF
fries dictated or sent a telegram
to Ike Lewnsohn, telling him he
was never better and to bet on
him.
The morning of July a Jeffries
spent in the yard outside his cot
tage, playing hearts with friends.
He was, to all appearances, cheer
ful, and joked with those about
him. He gave no outward indica-
ton of nervousness or worry.
1t is common custom in
fighters camps to wire and mail
statements from the fighters, !"
but which the fighters themselves
never see or hear of, because they
are not permitted to read the pa
pers for days before the contest
Everything at all liable to up-
set a man about to engage in a
contest is kept from him. Nothing
put pleasant things, which will in.
crease his good nature and pre-
vent fretting, is permitted to come
to his attention.
A majority of the statements
credited to Jeffries were written
by Sam Berger, or taken from
things dropped by Jeffries in gen.
eral conversation. Hundreds Of
kilograms We're sent from Rene
the day before the fight, as well
as upon the day of the big battle
advising men in all parts of the
country to bet upon one man o,
the other. Many of these doubt.
less bore the name of Jeffries and
Johnson, but 1t is doubtful II
elther man, especially Jeffries
riled single message.
johnson, who was never serious
up to time he entered the arena
may have wired few personal
friends to bet upon him, but this
TOO. l doubt. l am positive thai
Jeffries never sent Telegram "a
Ike Lewnsohn or to anyone else. as
DurDortad