The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

Meteoric Career of the Big Kansas
Cowboy Who Now Is Hero of the
Fistic World as Conquerer
of Jack Johnson.

of him and will he acclaimed Of the
masses as the greatest fighter with
his fists that the world boasts There
can be no greater fame to many
minds. for after all, fighting with the
fists II an elemental passion. and brute
force aud strength appeal to more
individuals than anything else. unles :
Il br wealth.
tn" skill ard temperament of Fran
els oumet on the golf links the speed
agility and accuracy OF Maurice Nc
Loughlin on the tennis courts are
vastly admired by the classes. But
one depends upon man made clubs
and the other on catgut racket To
maintain his championship greatness.
Jess willard. with nothing more than
ms massive hands. probably could
pick up the pair and crack their heads
together, and Drawn has the call
with the great majority.
Yes. Willard has the world ut his
feet. But he also is carrying a mighty
burden on his back. The making Of a
hstic champion is not chance work,
aipeit many attempts fail.
First of all comes Manager Tom
Jones, who invested a few dollars in
railroad fares and hotel bills. perhaps
even advanced some money to apply
on Wizards home expenses. Before
this outlay he provided for the future
by getting Wizards signature to n
contract calling for an even split OF
all money earned by his charge for
term of years. said to be ten, or more
than the probable length OF time the
big fellow will have any considerable
earning power.
Then comes Jack Curicy. promoter.
who got Johnson's signature to the
bout and dug up the financial angel to
back the affair. He didn't figure on
any huge returns from the bout it.
self. His gamble was on the outcome
OF the fray and the possibility of the
white man winning. Just where he
figures on future returns il not
known, but Curley Is shrewd and it is
certain that he must he cared for out
Of Wizards earnings, somew here.
somehow.
Next on the list Of tho Willard pa
irons is Harry Frazee theatrical man.
He helped finance the Havana bout
and is said TO have long term con-
tract with the new champion for an
exhibition tour of the world. Doubt
less this agreement gives him the
right TO dictate whether Willard shall
fight again and against whom. for it is
apparent that Wizards worth as a
theatrical box office attraction de-
ponds on his fighting status. En-
champions do not attract money at the
gate.
Last on the list to be provided for
is Lawrence Weber, who advanced
some OF the cash to pay preliminary
expenses. Like Frazee. Weber Is a
theatrical man. Where he figures In
the spells Is not apparent. but rest as
sured he will get n cut somewhere.
OF course the booking agents have to
have "A percentage of any salary paid
to Willard in addition to the board Of
strategy that will direct his move
ments and split up his profits.
Doubtless there will he times when
the simple minded rancher will wish
himself back punching cows at a sal
airy Of $40 "a month and getting it.
When willard does fight again every
blow he delivers for Mrs. Willard and
the four little Wizards will be blow
also for Tom Jones and family. Jack
Curley, wife and heir: Harry Frazee
and the rest of the Frazees and Law
renee Weber and relations.
II was nearly five years ago that
jess Willard got the germ of his
championship thought. July 4. 1910.
to be exact, the date that Jack John
son put an end To Jim Jefrriess reign
as king of the heavyweghts. There