The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-13
A W0MAN'S POWER
Willard Won Championship by
Wife'S Unseen Presence.
Her Supreme Confidence In
Him Gave Kansan Courage.


Los Angeles, April 13.-Jess Willard
undoubtedly has clear claim to the
title of worlds champion, but just the
same he must share the title with
another, for he did not win that great
fight in Havana Monday, April D, alone.
He was aided just as much as though
there was a third fighter in the ring
helping him, and when he sent that
huge right fist of his crashing to the
jaw of Johnson, knocking the big
black out. his victory was due as much
to the unseen presence as to his own
efforts.
Mrs. Jess Willard made her husband
champion of the world. In letter
she received from MIN yesterday he
told her that during every minute OF
that terrific battle of a week ago he
was thinking of her and the plans they
have made for the future of their
children. He gave her credit for nav
ing prepared him for the triumph.
Jess gives me too much credit for
his success. but L am glad to share
the championship with him II ne
wants it that way" said Mrs. Willard.
Il am glad that 1 have been able to
help him, but just remember that Jess
is naturally a good, clean living man
and it has not taken any effort on my
part to keep him in the right path.
Has Faith in Him.
He says 1 was with him in his
thoughts every minute during the bat
tie. Well l was with him IN spirit,
too, and 1 am mighty happy woman
to think that he has worked his way
to the championship of the world
There is never any danger of Jess
going the way so many champions
have gone. He will not be led into
fast company just because he has to
associate with a lot of sporting men.
Jess has good sturdy stock in him,
has lived a simple, honest life. but
best of all he loves his wife and chill
dren and will keep his name clean on
their account
Jess has never cared for the fast
life that has shortened the careers of
so many fighters. He and have talked
that phase of the fighting life over
many, many times and he has agreed
with me that we must just remain
plain, simple folks as we have been
ever since we Left the farm in Kan
sas after he took up pugilism.
II do not object to his being
fighter 1 have always been confident
that he would one day win the cham
pionship and he says it was my conf
dence in him that has helped him at
tain the object of his ambition. He
always wanted to excel in whatever
same when he decided to enter the
prize ring four years ago. *
Was Sure of Victory.
Both Jess and 1 were sure he would
win when he left here to make ar
engagements for the fight with the pro-
motors in New York. We never made
any plans in the event of his losing.
All of our plans were made with
view to his winning that fight.
You see we have four children,
three girls and a baby boy, Jess, jr.,
1 6 months old, and Jess not only want
ed to win the championship from the
negro, but he wanted to earn money
with which to give our children an
education. We plan to buy a stock
there If Jess continues fighting and
we shall send the children to good
schools and later to college.
jess is an ideal husband and IA
Their. He is seldom away from home
when he can be there. He is never
cross with me or the children, and
despite his great strength he is as
tender almost as a woman. Instead
of whipping them when they are bad
he will talk with them, and make them
understand wherein they did wrong.
1 have seen him talk for an hour to
win them over. And nothing is too
good for his children. He wants them
to have the best of everything.
Love him? Why, bless you, 1 Just
fdolize Jess. He is no more than a
great big clean hearted boy He de-
lights in getting out here in the yard
with the youngsters and rolling and
tumbHng about in the grass with them
They think he Is the greatest man in
the world. and L am quite sure they
are right