The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-28
FEELS like PIKER
Willard Compares Earning
Power to That of Chaplin.
$4,000 a Modest Sum for Mo-
ran Fight, He Thinks.
BY JESS WILLARD.

New York. Feb. 2S.-As far as
can Judge. the principal reason for
this story is to let the folks know that
am feeling pretty well, and secondly
that 1 am not so heavy as some of my
Chicago friends have kept informing
tho world. As to giving the inside in
formation on whether l am going to
conquer Frank Moran quickly. I'll tell
you the actual truth. ] don't know.
1t amuses me in a way to see the
way crowd will turn out to welcome
a champion. Also it makes me feel
deeply Eratfied to notice that when a
man accomplishes a little more than
his fellow man he receives due credit.
There were many folks who gathered
around the Grand Central sta ton up
or my arrival here to see what sort of
an individual Jess willard was. My
wish is that they put me down as
iesl I ara--regular American with no
swelled head and kindly feelings to-
ward everybody.
Remembers Hard Times.
You must remember that it was not
many months ago that | resided in
this great city and you can take my
word that the world was not running
as smoothly then as now. 1t was a
case of stick and hustle and many
times the outlook was dark and
gloomy The johnson fight came
along and the situation changed
Now when ] come back here to stay
a few weeks | want to say ore thlng;
Being a champion won't make me for
get those hard times and the thoughts
will keep me right down on earth.
During the past few weeks l must
have been a source of annoyance TO
any person that took the slightest in =
terest in my bout with Moran. They
must have read those conflicting
stories Of my illness with disgust. And
probably started 20 give me genuine
banning | want to say right now
that Jess Willard was pretty SICK
individual in Chicago. 1t was not the
grin that bothered me, but a case OIL
neuralgia There is one thing about
that ailmert. when it gets a good
hold you're gone
It's Tough Company.
You may be the gamest man IN the
world, but when the streaks OF 1lre
shoot nm and down your face, life is
lust nuisance. If it could be Sot
rid of in a short while it wouldnt
matter But the annoyance stuck IKE
glue and it had me right IhahlS
heaven It has left me and now l reel
fine. All l want to say aboat neu-
ralgia is that 1 wouldn't wish 1t on
my worst enemy.
No sooner had I reached here than
I ran up against Tex Richard and the
funny part of it was that dldn
recognizes him. 1 was going to pass by
When Jones called my attention TO hlill'
I was delighted to shake hands with Il
man that will take such a daring
chance as to spend 100000 to stage a
1O-round bout. And he looked such d
mild. modest individual All | nope Is
that he makes as much az l do out oil
the show, for he is entitled to lot
OF money for his gameness- From
what l hear, Richard and McCracken
are bound to get nice little return on
their investment.
S47,5OO Not Much.
There is one particular thin5 about
this bout and that is the $47,500 | am
going to receive. That, you will admit
Is a lot of money and though I am
the one that is going to get it, l will
agree right now that it is some coin
Still when you consider that this is the
frenzied age, ! suppose it's not out OF
the ordinary.
You know, Charley Chaplin is going
to get 100000 u year, which makes
me look like piker Boxing is now
regulated on business basis like
es.erything else. one is compelled tC
make the most OF opportunity anc
earn every dollar possible. And espe-
cially in my case when l have foui
Riddles growing up who will need
every advantage to fight their way
through the world.
Now, getting down to the fight
itself / want to say right here that
am really in the dark as far as plan
ming the battle is concerned. All that
] know is that I have started in rea
training and will keep it up until ]
feel / am in proper shape. At present
j tip the beam around 25S pounds
When 1 enter the ring 1 expect tC
weigh around 245 pounds.
Free. "A useful souvenir with q cry
25-cent purchase of the newest To-
pelka cigar. just out. THE HALF
SHELL sc CIGAR. fresh made every