Omaha daily bee., 1913-11-30
HOPPE is BORN BILLIARDIST
Started Playing Game at Six and
Has Been at it Ever Since.
MET ARTISTS WHEN HE WAS BOY
AZ Eleven Years lie We'd with
Clever. Artists ana since Then
Has Won Two worlds
Championships.

NEW YORK, Nov. @.--No doubt you
have, heard OF people who were born
with silver spoons In their mouths. hut
there Is the story OF a youth-now 25--.
who was practically born with a cue In
his hand and Il has proved every bit as
valuable as though II had been silver.
While Hoppe is the lad referred to. he
having started playing billiards when he
was only years old.
Hoppe was born at Cornwall l-on-the-
Hudson. II was his dada quick tenn
pered fellow--who compelled him 90 take
up billiards. Willie couldn't see the top
Of table when he began playing, but
by the aid OF a soapbox he managed
10 reach the balls for his first lesson.
Willie took billiard lessons from his
father like other lads took lessons In
spelling and arithmetic in school. When
ever he didn't have his lessons he got
spanking, Vhich wasn't often, by the
way.
Hopes father has always been quite
a good billiard player and even today he
gets about his only enjoyment out OF
life by making the ivoiies obey his
wishes. In the back room OF the house in
which he was born Willie's dad conducted
billiard parlor and whenever business
was dull Papa Hoppe spent the time
teaching his son the rudiments OF the
game II wasn't long before Willie could
teach his dad.
Played Wei ns n Kid.
Al the age Of II Willie played the
game we'll enough to meet at even terms
such clever exponents OF the art as
schaefer and slosson.
! Willie is stI holder OF two worlds
Ichampionships-the 1871 and the lS2 balk-
line titles Hopps's most ardent sup
porter is Thomas w. Walsh. his father
in-law. He says that he will bet a GER
titled check of $4,000 az any time that
his son-in-law can defeat any player In
the world and he'll give any OF them 6oo
points the best OF II. too. These are the
conditions under which the match must
be played: six nights OF play in which
Hoppe will agree TO make 600 points each
night while his opponent Is making SO
They oung billiard genius is the mos'
modest young man imaginable hf
doesn't like 10 assert himself In any
shape or manner and it grieves hin
lgreatly when he plays some billiard player
who tried TO get his goat through un'
lgentlenanIy tactics. Tom Ratty' a
friend Of Hopes. says that Hoppe
modesty costs him at least $1,000 year
Hoppe isn't the least swell-headed be
cause OF his absolute mastery over al
the worlds best billiard players
ITS Just a natural gift" says Hoppe
some fellows are born ball players
others born actors, some born fighters
musicians, singers. and 80 forth. but 4
was my luck 10 be born with an aoillt'
10 play billiards well enough to make m!
living at it,
Born with the Talent.
or course, Hoppe was born with won
lderful talent for billiards, but IL has beei
his strict pursuit OF the straight an
narrow path that has kept him at IN
top OF the billiard column ever since h
was Old enough 10 handle the cue prop
erly. Hoppe doesn't smoke, drink. ehev
or gamble In any form.
One OF Hopes greatest admirers an
friends Is John McGraw with whom h
used 10 be In partnership IN a Dilliar
room on Broadway. The place did no
move a financial success, owing TO IN
. high rent they had TO pay.
: Hoppe loves 20 watch base ball games
During the time that the Giants are a
/. home he frequently goes over to the Pol
grouncs during tine morning practice an
=, runs around the field. but he does not d
any playing, owing 20 fear that he ma