davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
.SEASIOES CAPTURE
 OPENING VICTORY

Seaside club defeated Bridgeport club, three games to two last night in the opening matches of the inter- club billiard tournament between Seaside. Bridgeport and Algonquin clubs for the ambulance fund. Tho matches last night were played on the pocket billiard tables of the Bridgeport club and there was large gallery present, applause was handed out quite liberally at any time good shots were made. The contest between Jack 1ngoldsby of the Bridgeport club and Al BrothweI of the Seasides was the first finished and the former won. 125 to 93. This was anyone's game up to the last few frames when the Bridgeport represen- tative surged ahead and kept there till the finish.
 The heart breaking game of the night was played between Charles s. Fox of the Seaside club and Al Grindrod of Bridgeport. The former won, 125 to 117. These men played safety numerous times and it made the game rather slow, but interest
 
 of the tally. Fox is one of the pion- eers in pocket billiards in Bridgeport and last night played erratically mak- ing some of the most difficult shots on the table and falling down when it came to the easier ones.
 Fox substituted for H. B. Hunt, captain of the Seaside team, who is devoting his entire time to billiards this season. These games were to have been played Tuesday and Fri day nights. but owing to Christmas falling on Tuesday next week, the games will be played on Wednesday night at the Algonquin club when the Algonquins will play carom billiards against Seaside.
 Johnny Wheeler of Seaside, defeat ed Judge Mara of the Bridgeport. CTS. 125 to 121, and as this was the last game it really decided the match The score will show just show close the pair stood and the slightest slip might have turned victory into de- feat However. Wheeler gained on his opponent toward the close and Mara was unable to come through with a rally at the opportune time.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
COLUMBIA RETAINS
 LEAD IN TOURNEY

Not content with retaining the lead in the annual intercollegiate chess tournament, the champion team rep Tesenting Columbia, swept the boards in the match with Princeton in the second round contested at the Colum- bia School of Journalism yesterday, thereby increasing the Blue and White total to 1-2 points, well in advance of both Harvard and Yale.
 The freshmen from Princeton, who had done so well against Harvard in their first match, collapsed complete Iy before the tactics of the more ex- perienced Columbia team, and were beaten, 4 to O.. Max Wolfson, c. B. 1saacson (captainj, M. Sherman and q A Clapp were the quartet that ac- eompnshed this triumph in behalf of the Morningside Heights institution. Wolfson trapped his adversary's queen in such a way that the predicament cost Hall, of Princeton, a clear rock. It took Isaacson fifty-one moves to lower the colors of Stillwell, but Stern1an checkmated Todd in twen- ty-seven. Clapp, after winning a pawn, played sterling chess, scoring in forty-two moves.
 As on the first day with Princeton, Harvard yesterday made an even break with Yale, so that the Crimson team took second place in the com petition, 2 1-2 games behind Column bia. The New Englanders will there
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22

both public and players. The army. navy ana ambulance teams gave a zest to camp life, built up morale, tossed officer and private together in a more intimate way than otherwise would have been possible, while var lous 1nter-service and service-eollegf- ate games not only raised patriotic funds but served to increase patriot ism among civilians.
 The finest sight ever witnessed in football was in the Harvard Stadium. i December 8, when in the heat of a football game between the First and Second Naval District teams both 1 elevens arose from their places, re- moved their headgears and came to attention when a band played the Star Spangled Banner.
 Another thing about such games. While. they no doubt served to keep up an interest in football they proved in addition that the fighting spirit of football is not a mere college rah-rah matter but a very tangible thing It was present in these games. Old var s1ty boys never strove harder for vic- tory or got so much fun out of it And good feeling abounded.
 This is the kind of sport we want. It will do much to wipe out the bit ter intercollegiate rivalry of the past just as it will do so much more to- wards upbui1ding the morale and fighting spirit of our armies in Eur ope.
 The army and the navy are using sport for this latter purpose and in l fhic IfTd nf Ind e to the problem of what we are to do with our college trainers. coaches and physical directors during this war, es- pecially if the draft age is to be drop ped to eighteen or nineteen years The army athletic field is wide open and demanding men in wholesale quantities
 I recently talked with Dr. George T. Fisher, in charge of the r. M. C.. A., physical work both in the r. M. c. As as we'll as in the army. His office is at 124 East 2Sth street, New York city. While men have been sent abroad in this connection and almost three hundred and fifty have been placed in various camps in this coun- try there is urgent and inmedfate need for many more.
 What a splendid ffeldI Here the coach, the trainer and the physical director is not limited to the triclEB of his trade alone. His duty is not only to organize and provide games and sport for the large groups under him, it is not only to keep the army physically fit-which the army is we'll able to do itsef-but the work is %o nronora ol1 4o iT1av tho aurf111 Eya 11Ra of war in the same splendid spirit and with even greater morale than have the championship varsity teams each coach has developed in the past. eHere is bigger job than winning big foot ball games or so-called champion ships, a job that has the backing of the army, too, and a job that needs the active support of those men who are best able to fill it.
 I Copyright, 1917, by Sol Metzgarl
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
ICE HOCKEY YEAR
 BOOK IS PUBLISHED

Ice hockey has a year book of it's own, the 'tSpaldipg Official Ice Hockey Gude,'' which, edited by Tom Howard made it's appearance last Saturday The Guide contains the official rules of the game-amateur and pro. fessiona-records of importance, in. |cluding those of the Stanley and AL Ian cups, reports of leading contests pictures of prominent teams and re- views of the season from various cen tres. which now include Pacific coast cities.
 That the game has an attraction for women skaters is evidenced by the organization of girls teams in vari- ous sections of the United States, al. though in Canada. the home of the sport, a regularly organized women's hockey league has Peen in existence for several years.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
RUPERT EXPECTS
 TO OBTAIN PRATT

Col. Jacob Ruppert, part owner of the New York Yankees, is confident that Del Pratt, second baseman of the St. Louis Browns. will play with his team next year. Col. Ruppert re- turned yesterday from French Lick Springs and freely admitted that the deal had been practically completed and that he was only waiting con- f1rmation by telegram that Pratt was the property of the Yankees.
 Miller Huggins, the new manager of the New York club is in St. Louis to complete the deal, and Col. Ruppert said he expected a telegram any min. ute. He intimated also that Fritz Maisel or Joe Gedeon would go to the Browns in exchange for Pratt and that the Yankees also would pay a cash consideration
 The president of the Yankees has an idea that the deal is being delay. ed because the St. Louis manager has been hesitating over which player to take in exchange.
 Pratt has been with the St. Louis Browns for several years, but last sea- som got in controversy with Phil Ball. owner of the club, who, it is alleged, charged that the infielder did not play his best in series against the Chicago White Sox.
 Pratt, feeling that his reputation was at stake, filed a suit for islander against Ball, but it has not yet come to trial. Tn all probability the suit will be dropped if Pratt joins the Yankees.
 The Yankees have had their eyes on Pratt for two or three seasons, and almost brought about a trade for him last year. He is one of the mos timely hitters in the American League and finished fielder al though the official fielding records found him eighth on the list of second basemen and under both Joe Gedeor and Fritz Maisel. Gedeon, however played in only 31 games this year. Pratt fell off in batting in the las campaign and hit for an average o1 only PAY. He was ever dangerous however, and Miller Higgins is con. fdent that he will greatly strenpther I the Yankees OffenSive1v
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
JIM SULLIVAN A SOLDIER

One of the boxer heroes of Great Britain is Jim Sullivan, the former 1niddleweight champion of England. who, if he is still in the land of the living, is a private with the Third London Scottish regiment. Jim made his ring debut just eleven years ago tonight, when he was stopped in the first round by a fellow named Hick- man in bout at Coney Island. Prob ably no other fighter who ever attain ed a title had such tough luck in hin early days in the game, Of his firSt seven contests, he was victorious in only one, and for time he WE.s a, laughing stock. The fighting 6uIli- van spirit kept him going. and in 1909 the tide turned, and he soon fought his way to the top of the British mid- dleweight ladder. Jim was hero in London when he fought Billy Papke there in 1911, but Papke was too much for him, and he floored him for the count in the ninth round. Sullivan continued to claim the middleweight championship of Europe until 1s12, when he fought George CAxpanttor at Monte Carlo and was kneked out in the second round.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22

Four crack bouts comprise an all- star boxing card to be staged at the Casino, in State street, next Friday night, under the auspices of the Rem fngton Athletic club. Announcement of the program for the event was made this morning, after all arrangements Lad been concluded.
 Knockout Eggers and Billy De Foe of St. Paul, are slated to clash in the main go, of twelve rounds, and as both are in prime condition and eag- CT for victory, which will assure a meeting with Frankie Burns. of New York. in the star bout of a show to be held here next month, they may be depended upon to provide action a. plenty.
 Both Eggers and De Foe are known as slillfuI featherweights. They are among the toughest of their clan, and for speed. endurance, courage and eleverness need acknowledge few peers if any. Eggers is a hard and willing fighter and has splendid rec ord of victories to his credit
 De Foe is a capable, hard--1litting boxer, and though weighing between 125 and 127 pounds. has frequently met legitimate nghtweights and given a good account of himself in these encounters. He is almost constantly in training, and whenever he appears in the ring is at an advantage in this respect.
 Larry Williams of Bridgeport, and Jack Moran. the noted hght-heavy- weight. will appear in a ten-round bout at Fridays show. Williams is a tough battler, and has been keeping In condition for some time past by working out at Battling Levinsky's s gymnasium. He has met many clever men in his class and has always put
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22

up able performances. That he will be more than a match for Moran is the opinion of his friends, notwith- standing that Moran is recognized as a dangerous opponent. Moran has fought many brilliant battles in the middle west, and comes here with a big reputation.
 If Williams defeats sIim, or if he performs as creditably as is expect ed, he will probably be given an op- portunity to go on against Bartley Madden. of New York, at another meeting now being arranged for next month. Madden is anxious to fight here, and tentative plans for a bout with Williams have been made, de- pending upon the outcome of Friday s battle for completion.
 Johnny Sharpe. of this city, and Ed die Rosner of New York, will present the preliminary attraction of six rounds. at the Remington show, Fri day, and are expected to show a great deal of fight. Young McMahon ot Stratford. and Young Williams, of this city, will meet in the opening bout. The former is claiming the 105 pound championship of the state, and is willing to meet anyone who will fight in that weight. Williams will endeavour to take him down in his pretensions.
 Sharpe Is a clever and popular boy in this city. Since the opening of the present season. he has taken on seven opponents and disposed of each, in turn. He now confidently expects to add an eighth victory to his string, although those who have seen Ros- ner work out concede that he is a hard hitter. capable of standing pun ishment. and an able lad in every way
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
HOVER THE TOP :-::

"A fighting fool" we are informed, Is the way Benny Leonard character ized Chic Brown, after their bout be- fore the Ryan A. c. in New Haven, Monday night. Leonards remark is said to have been influenced by the fact that just before the knockout came, Chic called him an insulting name and dared him to do his worst. Leonard did it, in a way that sur yrised the New Haven pug, and then advised him afterward, never to say anything to, or poke his jaw out at an opponent in the ring, no matter what his ability.
 wild l3ilP' Donovan, according to reports, is slated for the job of man aging St. Louis. President Branch Rickey's efforts to land Hendrick failed, and he turned to New York for material
 It's the long shot that's most dam gerous to toy with. We read yester- day of two entrants on the St. Louis track making it possible for many racing enthusiasts to clean up by holding bets on the small end of 4O-1.
 Barrow, late head of the Interna- tional League, may tackle the job of managing the Boston Red Sox. Here's hoping that another s5,O00 salary cut will not prevent his carrying out that purpose.
 Ten rounds in which to give Jess Willard the K. O. seems to us task that might rival one of those assigned to Hercules, in point of difficulty
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22

However, that's what Jess demands for his proposed Red Cross bout, and that conditions is the one Fred Full ton will have to accede to, if he wants to.win the title. Willard abso- lutely refuses to consent to a longer go. and he makes the further stipula- tion that in the event the fight goes the limit, no decision istto be render ed.
 A team of schoolboys from up Nor thern New England way beat a Princeton team at hockey, in New York, Wednesday. Huff Sed.
 It's up to Grover Cleveland Alex ander to play his hand now. He has insisted right along that he must have $10,000 of the money paid to pur- chase him from the Athletics, and now President Baker, of the Phila- delphia club, has come out with a flat refusal to comply with the de- mand. Alexander has already signed a contract with Weeghman.
 Baltimore is elated with it's pros poets of having genuine big-league team represent it. Chances are that the National Commission will favor the idea, too, and then next summer will see Baltimore mentioned in the daily sport sheets.
 We can't help wonder, though whether Baltimore hotel-owners are going to charge the players as muct for accommodations, as they did those unfortunate individuals who were compelled to stop over for the nation. al Democratic Convention, in 1912.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
Ten Round Go For Champion 

Although the announcement by Champion Jess Willard that he would not box to decision in a long bout for the Red Cross caused a keen dtsap- pointment to patrons of boxing, as it was hoped he would go into the ring and risk his title in so worthy a cause, yet it was pointed out yesterday by sportsmen that even a ten round deci- sionless bout would be better than none.
 In view of the fact that the ten round bout between Willard and Nor an in Madison Square Garden yielded well above $100,000 in profits, and as Fulton is a worthier opponent of the champion than Moran, there is small question that the Red Cross would profit even though the shorter bout. | It is not believed that Fulton will have the slightest objection to meeting Willard on the terms laid down by the champion, as the Minnesotan has all to gain and nothing to lose. If he should happen to stop Willard inside the limit, Fulton then would be in a position to coin money thereafter. 1 Even if he made a good showing against Willard in bout that went the limit of ten rounds it would be a feather in the cap of the challenger and would mean much prestige fo1 him. Close students of boxing are o1 She opinion that Fulton will make 8 serious mistake if he accepts a penny ] for his services, no matter if the rich friend' of some promoter is eager to hand it to him.
 One condition imposed by Willard has been received with general satis- faction by the public, and that is to the effect that no promoter will be permitted to have a finger in the pie and that every cent will be handled by agents of the Red Cross and gc into the Red Cross treasury. The malodorous incidents growing out o1 other heavyweight championship events will therefore be conspicuous by their absence.
 1 As soon as Willard comes to ar agreement with Fulton, or any other man who may be selected to meet the champion, then the Red Cross officials may be expected to define their atti. tude. They can hardly be expected tc express an opinion On a match that has not yet been made.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
TO-DAY IN PUG1I1sTTo ANNALS

1872-Johnny LaVack, FrenchCan- adian featherweight, born in Mon- treal.
 1902-Matty Mathews defeated Rube Ferns in ten rounds at Pitts burgh.
 1907-Grover Hayes and Tommy O'Toole fought six-round draw al Philadelphia.
 19o8-Tommy Murphy defeated Charley Griffin in twelve rounds al Boston, 1909-Ad Wolgast and Frank Plea to fought ten rounds, no-deeision, al Los Angeles, Willie Beecher in ten rounds at New York.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
Talk Of Sports.

Clark Griffith isn't going to takez any chances with his Washington players. He's looking around for a number of minor league players to protect himself and his club if the draft starts to get busy with his out fit.
 Lew McCarty is still suffering from the kink in his shoulder, which he i'm jured during the late, and by many lamented, worlds series.
 Food regulation is to become reg ular item on the Yankees training schedule, according to Miller Huggins. The Yankee manager Is convinced that ball players as a rule eat too much Will MT. Huggins please rise and tell the assembled class how anybody can eat too much with prices. as they are at present. ja
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
OUIMET OUT AFTER
 ARMY COMMISSION

Francis Ouimet, the Woodland golf CT. who holds the Western amateur title, is studying hard these days in anticipation of Joining the Officers Training Corps. either at Plattsburg or Yaphank. Several weeks ago Priv ate Ouimet became identified with Camp Devens at Aver, Mass. It will be some time, however before he will be given a chance to enter the con- test as he will not be among the next batch to go to the training camps on January 5.
 Should the former amateur and open-champion get to Yaphank he would doubtless he seen in New York with greater frequency and his pres- ence there would be apt to start afresh the ru.cor of his reinstatement in the good ,graces of the national body. Thus far. however. Ouimet has made no application to the secretary's of- flee of the United States Golf aasocia- ton. relative to his amateur status
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
JAP ARMY MANEUVERS

Tokio, Dec, 22-The annual army lnaneuvers this fall differed from those of preceding years in two re- spects. First, there was some attempt at air fighting, although only few machines were used the work was sharply done and for the first time in Japan, The other departure was the adoption of German tactics for the concentration of troops by rail- ways, The attacking army. too, was larger than the army of defense and this was an unusual feature. The Emperor in his address to the troops pointed out the necessity for new tactics to meet changed conditions in Europe
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
CHAMPION SWIMMER
 WILLING TO RACE

Philadelphia, Dec. 22-Miss Olga Dorfner, woman champion short dis tance swimmer, announced today that she would agree to defend her title at the Brighton Beach tank against Claire eGalligan of New York and Thelma Darby, the 14-year-old In dianapolis star. provided the date set is after Jan. 1.
 The challenge emanated from Miss Darby, who defeated Miss Galligan in an invitation meet in Indianapolis. Mss Galligan suggested return match in the Brighton Beach tank and on Thursday Miss Darby accept ed with the proviso that Miss Dorf- ner be also entered.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22

Jo G. Loonis, Chicago Athletic as- sociation athlete, who formerly was national champion in the sprint events and high jump, ras enlisted in the 333rd Field artillery at Camp Grant.
 Lomis returned to Chicago recently after completing a period of six months service as driver of an ambu- lance in the Verdun sector.
 The former sprinter weighed 158 pounds when he started for France. At his physical examination at Rock ford, which he passed with flying col os, he tipped the scales at IFS pounds.
 If this war continues long enough Jo," remarked one of his friends among the officers, land you continue to gain weight,yo will become a shot butter instead of runner"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
''STRANGLER"LEWIS
 IS AGAIN WINNER

New York. Dec. 22-Without hav- ing to resort to the use of his now celebrated head hold, which threat ened to disrupt the international wrestling tournament now running at the Lexington Avenue theatre, "Strangler" Lewis last night obtained a fall over Demetrius Tofalos, the Greek strong. man, in the short space Of minutes and 23 seconds. In this bout Tofalos did not show to very great advantage, although he amused the spectators by the way, in which he broke up number of the "Strangler's" holds simply by exert ing the full strength of his arms and hands. Eventually Lewis got the Greek firmly on the mat and pinned him down with a head and crotch hold.
 In the first bout of the evening Ivan Linow, of Russia, and George Man1sh went on. the mat prepared to wrestle all night if necessary. How ever, in 21 minutes and 23 seconds, which is only little more than the duration of the shortest of the tour.
  Scissors and wrist lock on Manich, and 1t was all over.
 Sula Hevonpaa, the Silent Finn,'' was the second victim. He was drawn with Joe Rogers of America, but was forced to his shoulder blades and Aeld there until the referee stopped the entertainment in IA minutes and 10 seconds.
 Harry Stevens threw Carl Bush with scissor and body hold in 8 minutes 1 second.
 Wladek Sbyszko returned from a trip to Norfolk, Va, in time to appear just before the hour for closing and in the quickest bout of the tourna- ment threw Fred Pilakoff with half Nelson in 15 seconds.
 Dr. B. F. Roller disposed of John Heracics with a crotch and half Nell son hold in IA minutes 51 seconds.