The Washington herald., 1910-06-27
JOHNSON LEARNED
TO FIGHT TN JAIL
ChOynski Knocked Out Negro
Before Arrests.
Students of Scientific and Deep
Studies Poster the Training Camp
workers Psychological Moment
VIII Arrive When Title Holder
Faces JeR and His Admirers.
Nv H.. h. TYLER.

Reno New, June ze.-AIler groplng
through the dust clouds raised by scores
Of buzzing autos on the road 10 Jack
Johnson's training quarters. there was
more discomfort ahead. But it was ali
for johnson.
The interviewer, after the champion
had unwound his lash-like fingers. blew
on his hands few times. and asked
johnson for a moment OF quiet. Sure,
said Johnson, as he capered out of the
gym and squatted in a chair that was
so low It brought the big champions
knees under his chin.
TN tell you all I know" assured
Johnson. 1T will take at least five min
utes if I hurry" said Johnson, showing
his world wide famous golden smile. y
II looked almost world wide too.
"Joe Choynski showed me the first
batch of fine points 1 ever learned about
boxing" where. and when?' 1 asked,
in a gIeeful memory OF having just seen
Choynski at work with Jim Jeffries. oh,
In Galveston jail nine years ago., an
nounced johnson, as though that little
confession was one wee incident in long
chain OF sensations. Yes. Joe could box.
OF course I have learned a lot more since
then I Vas a raw kid when Choynski
knocked me out in three rounds. We were
both arrested. and as eellmates boxed
continually until the case was settled.
Tells OF Early Days.
johnson playfuTy referred to his climb
II can remember when pork chops made
a banquet for me. and chicken roasted
too high. But I fought every one the
American public asked me TO. didn't /?
have never said that Mr.. Jeffries could
not fight OF 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
Mr.. Jeffries."
While Sunday sightseers were focking
into all corners of the camp and gazing
in awe upon the broad shoulders, sleek
limbs. and massive biceps OF the cham
pion in a bag-punehing stunt, a Texan
who is acting as betting commissioner
for a Galveston pool told Of Johnson's
early history Leo POsner, manager OF
the old Galveston A c." he said. was
the first TO give Johnson a chance One
day a negro giant named Charlie Brooks
called al the club. Mr.. Posner. I have
something soft outside and 1 want yoJ
TO put me on with him. John Arthur
Johnson is his name, and he looks the
part Posner saw a shutting good-na.
tured negro summing himself and grin
ming at nothing in particular. Brooks
Joshed Johnson until the time of the
fight, and then tried to continue it. II
the second round, Johnson snapped q
right hook 70 Brooks jaw, and we had
a new wonder among the negroes. -r
after a few fights with State and
county champions. Joe Choynski came
along and was matched with Johnson.
Jack didn't know anything about the
finer points OF boxing. and was easy fOT
Choynsld in three rounds. That's the
only knockout charged against Johnson
but as that happened nine years ago
when a novice, I think some Of the
critics ought TO quit harping on that par
of the champions record.
yes; there Is a decision against him
a twenty-round exhibition with Marvin
Hart, but that affair was so raw tina
the odor penetrated all sections of th'
country. and all the wise ones knew tn,
inside story OF the affair. I can't SCI
any one as JohnsOn's superior. If YOU
think jim Corbett was a better boxer
I'll differ with you.
Johnson an Easy Boxer
This talk about Johnson's hat-footet
style of boxing simply means that h
does not tire himself out by dancing OF
his toes. He glides over the floor o.
canvas so smoothly that he does no
appear 10 be moving fast. There Il
nothing labored in Johnson's efforts. H
works so naturally that he does not at
T., -gv r..
along the same lines as Lajoie in base
ball-does startling things. but so easil.
that the crowd doesn't realize the sensa
tional part OF his efforts"
Students Of human and other natur
are Fostering the fighters daily. In tn
study Of the big athletes, the deep probe
finds men Of directly opposite type
throughout. The white man is serious
solemn and reticent to a point approach
ing surliness. Johnson. with legal paper
fitting about his head and court case
ahead in several States, drums out tune
on big bass VOL. does a buck and wing
and calls for food and fun in large helm
ings.
Two serious-minded Fasteners, tour
lists, who came 10 Reno before II wa
decided upon as a battle ground. 1t
study the conditions IN the divorce col
ony,' told me that their interest in IN
ring contest was based solely upon
chance for a study Of psychology. Wit
adjectives that would fell a heavy
weight, these high-browed dignitarie
tried to discuss theosophy, PSYCHOLOGY
and the immortality of the soul, finail
pinning me to an expression OF an opir
ion on the psychological end OF the bal
tie.
This conclusion was reached: The py,
Geological moment viii arrive when Jet
fries removes his bath robe ana show
his hairy chest. If Johnson can weathe
that sight and the shouts Of thousand
OF Californlans, who are likely TO vel
Kill the niger, JEFF there viii be {
least an even chance for the preser
champion