The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-04-06
Jess Storrncd With Wires OF Chal-
lanqsrs and Vaudeville Managers
Will Tour Country
Soon.
SHOWS sPoRTsMANsHIP
Jack Asks for What Credit Is Due
For Taking Beating Gamely
-Racked With
Pain.
tBy Barry Faris, United Press Staff
CnrraSn0n6anf

by Barry Faris, United Press Staff
Correspondent
HAVANA, April G.-Happy, like j
schoolboy with a new slate. That was
the evident disposition today Of Jess
Willard. new-and white cham 2ion
worlds heavyweight. The new king
of the ring was up early. He roamed
around the streets, the center of a
jostling. admiring throng. Such
crowds followed him that at Tins
this mornings jaunt was absolutely
blocked. The temperamental Cubans
went into raptures of demonstration.
Willard was absolutely unhurt. Only
few scratches were the evidences OF
his winning battle. Jack Johnson,
dethroned champion, on the 9th r
hand, was sore in mind and body.
His ebony frame was racked with
pain from Wizards pummeling.
Wants Credit for Game Fight.
But the big black, wincing yet from
the terrific body punches Of the cow
boy champion, showed sportsmanship
in seeking recognition for a game.
though losing fight.
Give me what credit is DUE" John
son told me. mo other heavyweight
in the world could have stood on
Willard for twenty-six rounds.
Il gave Jeffries credit for gamely
taking beating from me at Reno;
now give it to me-
Tom Jones. Wizards manager
shared today in the Fluctuations over
the wrestling of the big prize Of fist
rover behind the throne Of the f1stie
king.
Jones Developed Willard.
He deserves real credit for return
ing the championship to the white
race. Jones Is the reason. Billy
Papke rose to the front rank under
Jones tutilage. l learned how Jones
despite reyerses, put Willard on his
present pedestal. It cost $34,0 900 dur
ing the last three years alone. Seeing
and believing in Willard's ability wheT
the champion was in the rough, Jones
grabbed him and tediously and pa
tiently stuck by Willard until he de
veloped him. The contract for Jones
management called for but $3.50. Nov
the contract to both is worth a for
tune.
Jones Planned Battle.
Jones has been the experienced
hand which guided Willard and fash
toned him into the skilled offensive
and defensive fighter which utterl.
amazed many spectators yesterday
Willard has been regarded clumsy
though husky, novice. Jones was ais
the master mind which planned an
directed the whole course of battle
with Willard infinitely following in
structions and never being in DANCE
at any stage of the fighting.
Willard and Jones today began t
taste the first fruits of the financial
harvest ahead. Cablegrams offerin
vaudeville engagements, enough to las
couple of years, showered upon tn
new champion. Also came challenge
from match makers in the states.
Will Appear In Vaudeville.
Willard planned to leave here toda
or tomorrow for America for a vauds
Vile engagement. Then at the head @
vaudeville company, with which h
will give boxing exhibitions, Willar
will make tour of the country
principal cities.
Johnson, said to be under tn
espionage Of U. s. secret servic
agents endeayoring to return him Il
the white slave case, planned to leav
today for Martinique, to take a steam
err for France where he and his whit
wife expect to make their home
johnson was not disturbed by report
that he might be arrested, declarin
that he was safe while in Cuba, or Of
the high seas.
Willard leaves tomorrow for Jack
sonville. Fla, and will probably pla
a weeks vaudeville engagement there
Afterward he will spend anothe
week in New Orleans and then go L
New York for long engagement
Deluged with theatrical offers, Wi
lard intimated today that the priz
ring will not see him again, except il
exhibitions, for at least year. H
and Jones intend to reap their well
earned golden harvest on the stage
Promoters Curley and F'razee ant
Manager Jones' shares in Willard
end of the purse and the real prof
to the new champion will come from
his stage engagements and share il
the moving picture rights.