The Washington herald., 1914-08-17
STAR
FORMER NEWSY
Welker Cochran, Boy Balk
Line Marvel, Comes from
Ranks Of Newsboys.
USES FRANKTVES' STROKE
Chicago YOungster Is Being Groomed
to Wrest Worlds Tid efrom
Willie Hoppe.
USES FRANKIVES' STROKE

New York. Aug. 11s-They are grooming
youngster in Chicago for the express
purpose Of taking the worlds billiard
title from Willie Hoppe.
And this marvellous youth comes from
the ranks >oT the newsboys- Welker
Cochran Is his name, and his age is
sixteen years. He began to play bill
liards six years ago. At that slime he
was crying Extra In the streets Of
Manson, Iowa. putting in his spare hours
at the billiard table.
This youth has developed into the most
phenomenal billiard player OF recent
years, and at the present time is the
only billiard player who has shown suf-
ise Of wrestling the worlds titles from
Hoppe.
Out After Title.
Cochran's friends believe that he will
succeed and for this reason are groom
ing him for a championship match with
the youthful title-holder. Those who have
seen him play say that he is the only
billlardist today who has a chance to
take the Iaurels from Hoppe.
Not since Hoppe began to show such
mastery with the cue has any one ap-
preached the skill shown by this YOUTH
III "A1aANs MS ldIEHAE re-
sided at Edmonton, Alberta. later he
went TO Manson. where his energetic ma
ture found expression as a vendor of
daily papers. At the age OF twelve he
was known as the Newsboy Billiard
icoefi iccooeefhiraA is a youth of unusual intel
ligence. The pennies made as a news
boy went into an educational fund and
two years later he went to Chicago to
attend Lane Technical College and will
soon graduate, defraying part OF his
expenses with the money he saved as
a newsboy.
Going tn College.
He is not only taking the full course
Il this college. but has been taught the
finer points Of billiards during his
spare minutes. and the bulldog deter
mination this boy possesses accounts
for his mastering the game while re-
ceiving his education.
In Chicago he was recognized as the
most promising billiard player of that
city. Under HPle instructors his faults
were corrected and he made remark
able progress in the technique of the
game. His development has been 50
rapid that he is nov considered an
even more skillful player than was
Hoppe at the same age.
In a 50O-point 1872 baIk-line game at
Chicago with DR.. Harley Parker. a
leading amateur of the Windy City,
young Cochran made an average Of 40
and a high run OF l65. A few nights
later he met Mr.. Heddon, another ex-
pert amateur Of Chicago at the same
game and ran 80 points in two innings
for an average Of l25. He counted Is
from the bank and ran out with 2O5
leaving the balls in such perfect po-
sition that had occasion demanded IL
he might have run as many more Such
billiards from player so youthful has
never been heard of before. And this
is not all.
Won Two Journeys.
Cochran is the winner of two handicap
tournaments. one at the 1S.2 game and
the other at thrcc-CUshion caroms, which
amply proves his versatility.
He is a most consistent player. and
like Willie Hoppe, is possessed of an
immovable temperament. which in q
billiard player Is a necessary asset.
Undoubtedly there is no one in the
billiard world today, excepting Champion
Hoppe. who can prove the equal OF this
youngster in a match game. And every
provement. This Is why he is devoting
six hours each day to practice. and this
Is why those who have seen him are so
confident that he will soon be able to
capture the billiard titles of the world.