Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-04-17
Jess Wizards Trainer
Known To PaLisadian
As A Great Athlete
Tex O'ROurke, Chief Trainer OF
Jack JOhnsOn's COnquerer a
Model of Physical Perfec-
ton, and Shining Ex-
ample of Clean
Living.

Tex O'Rourke, the chief trainer of
Jess Willard is we'll known to Pail
sadian who has been associated
with him for some years. O'Rourke
is the man who made Willard
what he is to-day. AS his chief
trainer, he was with him every
minute of the training days, sleeping
with him, never leaving him for a
moment, and boxing with him daily
to put him in fine condition for his
battle with Jack Johnson. There
were four trainers, but O'Rourke was
the first of the line, and in that po-
sition had first say in all that Willard
from the training game some four
years ago, and at that time connected
himself as advertising and sales man
ager with the Whitley Exerciser Co.,
New York, where he has given the
most perfect satisfaction. He is very
large and active, with a powerful
physique, and is considered the finest
trainer in this country. Also, he is
gne salesman. A gentleman liv-
ing in Palisade in speaking of him,
and who saw him on his return from
Cuba last week, said this to "Pali-
sadian" representative:
"The physical condition of O'Rourke
on his return from Cuba to New York
was superb. He was one of the finest
looking specimens of rosy health |
have ever seen. l cannot tell how
wonderful a man he looked. 1t all
came from his own superior general
condition, aided and abetted by his
recent period Of training he has gone
through. About sixty days ago he
got leave of absence from his bust
ness and went off to train Willard.
He is back now at his regular work
and will forego any more training for
the present. At least this is what is
now thought; but one can never tell"
Continuing "The Palisadian" in
formant said:
"O'Rourke is a dead true example
of the boxing game without those
things that have brought it into dis
repute. Indeed, he is bright and
shining example of what the manly
art of self-defense may bring to
man without the faint of the saloon,
or the bum element, or the betting,
that usually accompanies it. The box
ing game has in it enough OF the
physical and mental interest with
enough of the danger element that
comes from things beyond the con-
troll of the principals and catches them
unawares and from causes that can
not be avoided, to make it very
human sport indeed. These dangers
cannot be avoided by skill, because
they come by chance. l see the Cuban
Senate has voted to abolish pugilism,
vet they leave the saloon alone. One
saloon is more deadly and damaging
to society than a hundred prize
fights conducted honestly. Disasso-
ciate boxing from the saloon element
and you have wonderful sport. The
saloon is breeder of everything bad
and ignoble in man. 1t creates
gambling and leads to many crime
that never would otherwise have ex-
listed. AS for the danger of the box
ing game, it is not to be compared to
mountain climbing, bronco busting,
football or even baseball. Tex
O'Rourke is living example of what
a man may be cultivated into by
being clean. His life is sermon in
itself of as much strength and power
as are represented in the great
physical beauty of the mans ad-
mirable body perfection. You can
only properly value the meaning of
the physically wonderful by gazing on
Tex O'Rourke"