Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-04
BY W. w. Naughton.

@ AN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4.-The
y pugilistic trials and tribulations
of one Jess willard, of Kansas,
form an interesting study. Once in
his callow days as a ringman, when
his star of hope beamed brightly, he
got the better of Luther McCarty in
a bout back East,
Now, If McCarty had been outboxed
by few others and had fizzled out,
as so many white hopes have done,
no one would have remembered that
Willard contributed in the humblins
Of friend Luther
Possibly Willard himself would
have forgotten about it and the world
would have forgotten Jess Willard.
But McCarty began to climb and
with every rung he gained on the
ladder his reverse at Wizards hands
looked bigger and bigger-for Will
lard. AS McCarty's reputation in
creased so did Wizards. 1t was
clearly a case of the unearned mere
mept, so far IS Jess was concerned,
bur what did that matter?
Whenever McCartv had a new pic
ture taken in cowboy attire Willard
posed. too, And for every paper that
published McCartys picture one was
found to publish Wizards. Jess was
surely thorn in Luthers side
That meeting between the pair
would surely be arranged some day
seemed inevitable but something
happened at Calgary and McCarty's
name was no longer associated with
pugiistic happenings.
Willard came West and secured
matches, and, by the same token, for
teited all the good opinions that we're
formed of him by the coast sports be-
fore they saw him.
AS fighter he went from bad to
worse, and was regarded as one of
the Jokes of the white hope move
nent.
Fight With Morris Very Bad.
He figured in an unfortunate oc-
currence at Los Angeles and while
awaiting trial in connection with the
death of Bull Young went East and
engaged In bout with Carl Morris.
What the New York pa pers said
about that affair will scarcely bear
repeating, and even though Jess
scored a knockout a little later. he
must have been heavy heated when
ne came back to the coast to answer
the charge preferred against him at
Los Angeles
Then suddenly the world bright.
ened. The jury acquitted him and
before he was quite done receiving
the congratulations of his well-wish-
ers, Manager Tom Jones wired him
from San Francisco that there would
be a Jess Willard -Gunbat Smith
match for the white heavyweight
championship of the world al COT
troth's DAILY City arena next Fourth
of July.
He is right back where he was
year ago when the ambition to get
crack at the title was strong in him.
lie Is better off, in fact. There was
no assurance that he would get a
match with Luther McCarty, whereas
the meeting with Gunboat Smith is
definitely arranged.
Under the circumstances II is NOT
for Jess Willard to rail at fate. He
has been buffeted a bit, but the storm
OF adverse circumstances has blown
oN ana mas left him planted squarely
on his feet.
The momentous question. however.
is. Will Jess Willard be able to en-
brace the opportunity that is knock
ing a. his door? In other words, will
the affair with Gunboat place him
on pedestal or toss him back TO
founder again in the slogh of de-
spond.
MANAGER SAYS Hes improved.
II Xou listen 10 Manager Tom Jones.
the bald pated gentleman who halls
from kankakee. it's all over. barring
the signing Of theatrical contracts for
2 grand tour of the world
Did YOU notice We are giving
Smith and Buckley all the money ."
Jones asked. We'll. whether YOU did
or not. we are doing IT, But what's
the difference" After this thing is
over Jess won't need for money, He
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