The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-05
Jack johnson and Jess VIII
lard Await Sound of Gong
for Havana Fight.
BETTING STILL IS 2 TO l
by DAMON RUNYON.

Havana. April with practically
every American. Cuba apparently an
ticipating nothing but a pleasant
| afternoon. the rc-esta bIshmcnt of
| the much vaunted supremacy of the
| Wcll-knoWn white race. the stage is
all set for the Johnson willard battle
tomorrow.
Several additional boat loads of
| 'lEht-fevercd fans were unloadcd on
| havana today. increasing the volume
or sound in the vicinity of the Plaza
| Hotel and cnrichinE the cabbics
Tho fistic frenzy has now complete
| " cnvclopcd the Cubans as well as
The Americans. Nothing is discussed
IN the clubs and cafes but tho fight.
ON every corner browns skinned small
ho!S are soon squarinC off At one
another by way of illustrating the
Americana amusement
think my original estimate that
tho attendance from the States will
NOT exceed 5000 holds. but the Ameri
can colony and the natives will mako
up tn" main body of what is certain
to he g'crowd at CurIcy Browns
race track tomorrow. ,'urIcy gets in
on the big pot because the promoters
nave tackled an additional dollar tn
all the admissions TO pay for the
races which follow
But Little Betting.
Their" has been mighty little bc,tinr
carefully traced the wild stories of biz
WaS"rs heard around town and have
Io'hd most of them to be conversation
Inc lizard men want to dosnit.
ruinors that Willard is the favortc, with
Httl" money in sight on either man.
doubt II as much as 10000 in real
com mas been laid here all told including
hate l.,
say that they have heard of. but
which cannot be verified.
Howard Trumbo. president of ,hc
american Club and a business associate
OF 'apt. Huston. pcrpetuated a Joke on |
the fight followers by sending a rumor>
around tho Plaza Hotel that he had bet !
Soo on Willard against s2Ip As = mat
Ter OF fact. Trumbo admits his belief that !
If tho fight is on the level. johnson will |
win with ridiculous case, but he is NOT |
betting a nickel
Johnson saws he is still willing 10 bet
$1,000 on himself
Fighters Make Statements.
Both the fighters issued the CUSTOMARY |
statements today. each Expressing his
confidence in the result
lHard ramblcd around town q bit TO-
day and this evening went to bed early.
jess l. simple soul and seems to take |
no great pleasure in minEing with the
thromG. His chief delight is in the COM
Pany of two boyhoed friends from Kan
saS
Wizards chief subject of conversation
Is The farm he is going to buy in Kansas
II he wins the fight. From the way Jess
talks ono would think that he intends TO
retire for good Immediately after the
battle. while Tom Jones. in extensive
conversation. makes il certain that the
Jay Hawker will not enter the ring again
for at least year-if he wins.
Reports tonight from the Willard camp
fad the long farmer slumbering peace
iuiiy as far as could be<judged. From
outward appearances Jess Is not greatly
worried over the fight. He says he is
going to battle carefully. but that would
b" his way of battling anyway. a. a
matter of instinct. lie speaks Of John
son without animus and appears to he
not half violently enraSed about
black man holding the championship as
he rest OF the white race
Some camp followers described him to-
lay as zap but zap or no zap. Will
ard is in grand physical condition.
y lille. when all is said and done, his
is portly Solored person.
Marion Parker. sporting editor Of the Glahe
lP rat w lard hRa