New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-09
| JESS WILLARD
THE CENTRE OF
ADMIRINC EYES
Crowds Flock to See Him
at Every Village and
Town on Way North.
ENGINEER OF TRAIN
SHAKES HIS HAND
New Heavyweight Champion
Says He Likes "Kids"-Sure
He Does. with 4 Himself.

Savannah, Ga, April s.-The prog
ress of Jess Willard, victor over Jack
Johnson in the battle for the worlds
heavyweight championship at Havana
on Monday, through Florida, to-day,
on his way north was one continuous
ovation. Not since the days when
John L. Sullivan held sway as the king
of glove wielders have similar scenes
and excitement been created by the
advent of a fighter.
The days trip was made amid sue
cession of spontaneous receptions. In
which the populace of each succeeding
city seemed anxious to surpass the en-
thusiasm Of those places just passed.
Word of the approach of the new cham
pion was flashed ahead, and, as q re-
suit, flags and buntings were flying,
bands playing and hundreds waiting
in the heat at every station between
Daytona and this city.
At every crossroad and depot were
throngs numbering from a few score
to thousands. In many cases it was
apparent that the spectators had trav-
elled considerable distances, for dust
covered automobiles and horsedrawn
vehicles of all descriptions formed
conspicuous feature of the background.
Although Willard answered every
call for his appearance and repeatedly
made short speeches, it became evident
as the day wore on that the towering
cowboy from Kansas was growing en-
barrassed by the constant enthusiasm
of his admirers. His response to calls
for him TO appear upon the car plat
form and make speeches grew slower
as the larger cities were entered, and
he adopted several articles to evade
shaking hands with the hundreds Of
men who crowded about the car.
willard wrapped his right hand In
bandages at one station, at another
hung his arm in sling, for he COM
planned that the hand that knocked
out Johnson was growing sore from
the repeated grips of admirers.
At st. Augustine, when a gathering
of some thousands, headed by band,
stormed the train, one excited indi-
vidual cried:
"FIey, Jess, Show US the fst that
knocked out Johnson" When Willard
held up his clenched hand, which
looked as big as a small ham, the
crowd howled with delight.
Jacksonville witnessed another big
turnout, the depot being packed. while
roofs of sheds and taller buildings
overlooking the yards were thick with
men and boys.
Just before reaching Savannah,
where another great gathering cheered
Willard, it was reported that the pugil-
ist had been offered 100000 for his
share of theatrical receipts for the
next year. Willard refused to discuss
the report or state who had made the
offer.
Many amusing incidents occurred
during the early portion of the trip.
Just before the train left Key West
the engineer, an elderly man, came to
Wizards car and introduced himself,
saying:
Mr. Willard. want to congratulate
you; | am proud to shake your hand.
have hauled several Presidents over
this line in my time, and never took
the trouble to shake their hands, but
Pm mighty glad of this opportunity"
At another station where there was
some delay Willard got off and walked
up and down the platform. In the
crowd which had come to see him there
were a number of boys. One finally
mustered up enough courage to ask, in
shaky voice, "Mr. Willard, do you
like kids ?"
Willard looked down at the young
st,r, smiling, and said:
"Sure | do; I've got four at home"
Thereafter he had a bodyguard of
youngsters six deep around him till the
train pulled out.