The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-06
JEFFRIES SHOUTS
''NEVER" FOR The
VERY LAST TIME
Especial from United Press

Especial from United Press.)
Los Angeles, Feb. 6-Bothered ever
since the Reno fight, when he lost the
championship to Jack Johnson, by
questions as to whether he ever again
gloves in public, James ]. Jeffries, to-
day, gave to the United Press what
he declared is the last answer he will
make to that query. On the eve OF
his departure for pleasure trip to
business partner, Jack Ripper, Of this
city, Jeffries has taken this means
of settling all rumors that he and Old
field plan to box in Mexico City or
elsewhere.
(By James J. Jeffries.-
Copyright, 1911, by the United Press
Associations
For some time I have debated with
myself the question whether such an
article as this could accomplish the
purpose that I desire it should; wheth
er it would be worth the time devoted
to it's preparation. have decided af-
Tentatively. I intend that what is
written here shall be an ultimatum
in every sense Of the meaning of that
word; one, the tenor Of which cannot
be misinterpreted. 1t is my hope
that the public at large will consider
this my final word on the subject that
has caused me more personal incon-
venience than can be imagined. re-
fer to the question of whether I ever
again shall enter the ring.
I shall not attempt to say how
many times I have answered that
query during the last six months.
Hardly a day has gone by in that
period without that question being
put to me. Day after day I have an
-
have stated that I never shall enter
another ring. But the newspapers and
public have refused to accept my
word.
It has come to the point where I
and the members of my household re-
spond to the doorbell ring and the
telephone calls with the same reply
our lips. If someone were to attempt
to test your patience by asking you a
certain question, say, for instance,
"How old are your" day in and day
out. how long do you think you could
go to the door or the telephone, near
the question asked and answer with
out losing your peace Of mind? For
half a year, do you think? It would
be difficult to explain what it is to
go through such an experience. In
my case it has been far more provok-
ing than it would be in the example
c1ted ABOVE fOr the reason InaC, IN
stead of one person putting the ques-
ton to me each day, the query has
come from innumerab1e sources.
Do you realize how tiresome this
constant replying to a query that ap-
pears idiotic to me, In my position,
could become? Every conceivable op
portunity to ask this question has
been seized upon by the public and
the newspapers.
My purpose in writing this article
is to give to the United Press the last
answer I shall make to the. question
Of whether I shall ever return to the
ring:
Under no circumstances shall I ever
again participate In public prize
ring contest or exhibition. I have re-
tired from the ring for all time.
This is the decision I made months
ago. 1t is q decision shall abide
by.
In effect, it is the answer I have
given SO often to the question asked
in one form or another of whether I
would ever be seen in a ring again.
At the risk of being considered arbi-
trary, peevish, call it what you will, I
shall hereafter refuse to answer any
query bearing upon the possibility of
my re-entering the fighting game.