The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-15
CHICKEN HIS MEAT
Willard Likes Fried Drumsticks
for His Breakfast.
Champion Says He Weighs
Only About 254 Now.
BY JESS WILLARD.

New York March 15.-It is neces-
sary for me to confess that 1 didn't
start the fifteenth day of training as
early as my past days. I had that
lazy feeling when 1 awoke and conse-
quently stayed in the hay as long as I
could. 1t was a quarter to when L
hit the road. The balmy spring at
mosphere woke me up out of my
slovenly condition and. after we went
about a mile the pace was a corker
and Monahan, Hemple and myself
tore along as if we were a trio of
sprinters.
We strung out the road work for
over an hour. When 1 reached the
hotel 1 had worked up a good
perspiration and had the feeling of a
man anxious to do athletic work until
he was unable to raise his arms This
is a fitting example of what a won
derfuI change can be accomplished by
a man taking advantage of the free,
clear air.
After 1 tossed off my road uniform
slipped into a gymnastic suit and
went through few exercises that
helped to increase my buoyancy more
than ever. 1 went through the bend
ing down exercises until my body
worked as if it were a well oiled ma
chine Then I spent a few minutes
going through the stunt that develops
your shoulders and increases your
lung power.
The Exercise.
This exercise consists of having
your two hands meet in front of your
body with the arms as stiff as ram
rods. Then slowly describe semi
circle extending the arms back as far
as possible. For developing erect
shoulders there is no equal to this
form of exercise.
A hot water bath followed, then a
tepid shower and a rub down. Mon
ahan and Hemp1e were feeling rather
strong and they banged me around
without mercy.
By this time my stomach was crying
for feed Before I started on my food,
however, l drank few glasses of hot
water For breakfast 1 INDUCED in
my favorite dish-fried chicken. The
meal over, 1 lCafed around reading
| letters and newspapers.
It gave me great pleasure to see
that the experts didn't blame me en-
tirely for the unfortunate happening
of last Saturday. While awaiting the
hour to start for the club, Monahan
and myself practice a few blows
which will probably play a prominent
part in my contest with Moran. These
blows are practiced only in the pr1-
vacy of my room.
Worked in Private.
We arrived at the club about 2:3O
o'clock and was agreeably surprised
to find there was no great crowd on
hand to see me work This gave me
an opportunity to work better and
faster. 1t kept my mind off the
problem as to whether the spectators
were satisfied with my training My
spirits were at the highest ebb and the
indoor work was really a pleasure
The only difference IN the training
was that 1 increased my boxing one
round of three minutes. When 1 fin
ished this part of the program ]
wasn't drawing a heavy breath, which
proved to me that I was almost on
edge My three partners, Monahan
Hemple and Rodel. had orders to fight
their hardest and I must say they
| obeyed to the letter.
Rodel was particularly belligerent
and in the extra round when he boxed
he made me step around very lively
My desire is that 1 will be able to boz
in private until 1 call a halt in train
ing. The next few days will consist OF
good fast work which Il put me il
such good shape that next week L will
be able to do just enough work tC
keep me from going stale.
While 1 have not weighed, 1 know
nv weight so well that 1 can say the
beam wouldn't tip higher that 254
pounds When enter the ring L will
probably weigh close to ESQ, so only
few more pounds are necessary tt
vanish before I am in superb condi