Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-07

Havana, April 6.-The city of Havana
was today fast resuming its customary
aspect after the intrusion yesterday upon
it's normal life Of the excitement and en-
worlds heavyweight championship from
Jack Johnson to Jess Willard in the e5th
round Of the contest. The citizens OF
Havana are planning to give the new
champion a public reception tonight and
present him with a gold watch. Spec
tators. tourists and fight promoters are
leaving the city as fast as facilities offer:
the principals also are impatiently await
ing to be off and the great fight is rapidly
becoming past history to the city where
it was held.
Barrels Of Money
The men most interested in the famous
battle took little part in the general Gel
ebration of it last night. Willard spent
the early part of the evening sightseeing
with friends from Kansas, after which
he had dinner and went early to bed. The
promoters were at the race track until
long after midnight counting the gate re-
ceipts. The official total is not yet known
but there is no reason to believe they
exceed $4,000. The silver coins of all de-
nominations taken in at the race track
are piled up in barrels, and alongside Of
them are stacks of bills. many of them
old and dirty and almost falling apart.
Johnson's Disappearance
The mystery of Johnson's disappearance
I
track to see the gate money counted, al
though he had no financial interest in the
receipts and at the same time to keep
away from visitors. The absence Of the
Negro from his house led to wild runors
last night that he was seriously hurt and
in hospital and that he had gone into
hiding to avoid United States detectives
who were said to be after him for In
fraction of federal statutes.
The plans for departure of both Willard
and johnson became known today. Will
lard and his promoters and supporters
will leave here Wednesday for Key West
on their way north: Johnson, accompa-
MED by his wife and some friends, expects
to leave Havana the latter part Of the
week for the French island of Martinique
in the West Indies.
Throngs Now Leaving
More than 1000 persons-tourists, fight
spectators and others-now in Havana
expect to make their way to Key West
during the next two days. Boats and
trains will be taxed to capacity. In fact
all travel records have been broken in
the past five days by the incoming and
outgoing crowds.
A record in the amount Of news and
private cables moving out Of Havana
in one day also has been established
Sixty thousand words were cleared on
the cable lines during the past "a hours.
Feels His Loss
Johnson came down town at noon
He was dressed with his customary
brilliancy, and he tried to smile and
be jolly as was his wont before the
fight. 1t was evident, however that
the loss of the title cut deeply, and he
frequently lapsed into moody spells.
A big crowd followed him about, con-
doing with him and praising him for
the game fight he put up.
The former champion had several
conferences today with promoters who
want to buy his so per cent. interest in
the moving pictures Of the contest.
The Negro says he has been offered
| 500, 600. He insists his interest is worth
more and he says he viii not sell