New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-08
Crowd Breaks Down Fences
and Ropes in Eager
ness to Greet the
White Champion.

Key West. Fla, April Z. jess Will
ard, the new heavyweight champion
pugilist of the world, arrived here late
to-day from Havana, where on Monday
he won the title. from Jack Johnson.
A crowd of seversa thousand, who gath
cred on the pier TO greet the ne"
champion, became so demonstrating
that they broke down fences and parted
ropes IN their eagerness to get near
the Kansas giant. The police had great
difficult in preserving order.
When the steamship Governor Cobb,
bringing Willard and his party, steamed
into the harbor, after rough trip
from the Cuban capital. all the snip
ping flew flags of welcome and the
crews lined the rails and yelled cheer
ing words at the white champion. sew
crdl government torpedo boat destroy
CT, opened their sirens IN welcome;
Willard stood on the upper deck ana
repeatedly lifted his broad-brimmeo
black sombrero in answer.
As the steamship warped INTO her
dock the crowd Of excited men. women
and children on the pier craned neckS
for clipse of willard. A few mo
mcnts later. as Willard was seen com
ing down the gangplank, the crowd, neld
fences and ropes and raced IN the al.
rection of the champion. Soon willard
was surrounded by a throng OF cheer
ing. Jumping. Cesticulaung persons,
and he was half carried 10 another END
Of the pier. where a committee from
the Board Of Trade bundled him INTO
81 carriage for the parade mp TO the
town 4 band headed the procession
TO Wizards hotel, and he received an
enthusiastic greeting all the way.
Later. when Willard was shown
telegram Offering $4,000 as purse
for a fight with Frank Moran, he sald'
81 don't know anything about my
future plans. See Tom Jones' md
eating his manager. Jones, after read
ing the telegram, said emphatlcaiiy
that Willard would not hght Tor nine
months or q year
"Willard," said Jones, has been tram
ing for year ard a half and mas
earned a rest lie is going to tour the
country. picking up me money that Is
due him. for YOU know Willard has not
made any big money out Of this hSht.
after Jess has completed his tour
inc and had rest he Will be ready
TO defend the title against any heavy
weight the public may think worthy,
| lie will never fight another negro, ana
win not meet any Joke fighters. Any
time. however, that real white CON
tender appears who gives indications
Of real ability and popular support Jess
will be found ready % meet nm loI
the title in any part OF the world.
Members Of the party told oil the
farewell meeting between Johnson ana
/ Willard I'M Havana just before the iaII
tor sailed for this country. lheE sa'u
that as the steamship bearing Willard
left the Havana dock. Johnson turned
F to a friend and said, 81 wish ! was go
inc back 10 the States. II certainly
. is bard IN bo eXiled this wav.'
Then Johnson shouldered his way
tbrough the crowd and disappeared.
Once aboard the Governor Cobb. Wal
Lord was the centre Of a curious throng
/ of Messengers. lie was repeatedly CON
graduated and photographed. Inc sea
~-ss rough. and the champion appeared
70 be affected by the swaying OF me
ship. He soon retired 10 ms staIeIooh'
for rest. .,5 o.,
swcred tonight many kilograms re-
cardinr offers Of exhibitions whlie me
cbamDion is en- route to the North
Af,er hurried conference IT was an.
nounced that willard and his party VIII
travel direct from here to Baltimore
whore the first exhibition by the ne"
cbamnion will be given on Friday night
IN Saturday Willard and his party VIII
or,ive in New York, where big vel
come and reception are SAID 70 nave
bpeu MANNED.