Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-04-12
SMITH IS SURE HE
WILL WIN BATTLE
(lunboat Has Very Little to Say
During Visit Here-Dis-
likes Billy Sunday.
BALL GAME NOT PLAYED

cunboat Smith, who win oppose
Charles Weinert for ten rounds at the
broadway Sporting Club in Brooklyn
tomorrow night, was in this city yes,
terday afternoon to umpire baseoaii
game between the Newark Athietlcs
and the Dixie Giants on the RoseVlile
,rrounds at First and Dlekerson
streets. Gunboat dropped anchor long
anoneh to have a chat with Manasef
Edward Flynn, Of the NeWafk Al
letles. and then, after the game Hau
been called off on account OF ram
went back TO New York by autohlo-
lille with his brother, Jim BuckleS,
DomlnicIx Buckley, brother h Iiis
pugilist's manager; Colonei Johh be
ianev \ veteran of the Civil War, ana
Miss Mary Bryan, a niece of Manager
Buckley.
Gunboat and his party arrived al
the Roseville grounds shortly before
o'clock, and at that time 1t appeared
as though the Dixie Giants anu tie
Newark Athletics would be able TO go
through with their program. The IN.
clement weather probably kept most
OF the older folk at home, but famliles
were well represented, as II seemed
about every kid and kidlet IN the
neiRhborhood collected to see the man
who outpointed Jess Willard on the
Pacific coast before Willard won the
heavyweight title from Jack Johnson.
Manager FLYNN met the party, which,
after learning the game would not
start before 4 o'clock. motored through
the Oranges and returned to Manager
Flynn's home to await the start OF
the game.
Shortly after o'clock in the after
noon Old Sol beamed forth its bright
est rays and Gunboat Smith was pre-
nared to don the mask and protector.
When Smith came back from his
short motor ride everything looked
spick and span for baseball game,
but as soon as the big fellow made
ready to assume his umpiring role
another downpour settled the Issue
beyond a doubt. The pugilist was
disappointed in having the weather
man pull a sort of double cross" The
Gunner likes baseball and may be
seen in this city again before long.
Whatever Edward j. Smith, that is
the Gunner's name outside the ring.
is as a fighter, 1t will probably never
lie. said that he gained fame as
taIker. Maybe the Gunner has learned
to retire when il comes to handing
out the chatter in favor Of his man
ager, as Buckley yesterday talked as
only a manager knows how while
Smith only acted as a second in deal
ing out words or sentences. Once
Gunboat let loose on Billy Sunday
He seemed to think that Billy was
in to put over a knockout on the folks
OF Jersey.
ssrT.,.. -. ..... t,oosa Tostt.. cs,,..
day." the Gunner was asked.
Not me- said Smith. ''That fel-
low is a nut"
Weinert Not on Hand.
Charles Weinert was to have been
at the grounds yesterday with his
manager, Jack Bulger, but Charles
apparently thought. as many others
did, that the game would not take
place. owing to the rainy weather,
and stayed away Smith said yester-
day that he had never met Weinert,
but that he was certain he could de-
feat him in the ring. Smith said he
felt fit and ready for Tuesday nights |
battle.
AS said before, Smith was content |
20 let his manager do all the talking. |
Manager Buckley said that his pro- |
tege should be given the preference !
for a bout with Jess Willard, as Smith |
the new heavyweight !
In twenty rounds on the !
Pacific coast, May 20, 1913, and was |
about the best Of the class OF white |
heavyweights at the present time who |
would be able to give Willard battle. |
This talk of Jim Coffee and Al |
Reich being in line for a battle with !
Willard is all bosh," said Buckley, |
land the fight fans probably realize |
the situation the same as do. No |
one can blame Willard for raking in |
all the money in sight. He deserves
il and I would do the same thing
under the circumstances. However,
If Willard takes on anybody for a
fight, he should consider Gunboat
Smith as his first opponent"
Youngsters Greet Smith.
To pass the corner of Dickerson and
First streets yesterday one would
think that Smith was a real big cham-
pion. The youngsters. 800 strong, ran
to and fro whenever the cry OF 'here
he comes went forth, and men and
women in houses nearby were fire.
quently poking their heads from out
of their windows to get glimpse OF
the pugilist. Jess Willard himself
probably could not have attracted any
more attention than was given the
Gunner yesterday. One thing was no.
ticeable about Smith, and that was
the size OF his hands. His great big
right paw just buried the ordinary
mans hand, but he didn't take ad-
vantage by displaying any undue
strength In greeting those to whom
he was introduced yesterday.