Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-05
Army War Hero Interviews
Jess Willard in Chicago
Returned Lieutenant of Aviation Talks to Worlds
Champion in Windy City Hotel; Title Holder a
Bashful OvergroWn Boy.

argument. Business Manager Arch
| er then named over the states where
the fight would be allowed as fol-
lows: Idaho, Louisiana, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Mis-
souri,, Colorado, Massachusetts,,
Wisconsin, Mime Nevada and
Maryland. And we think Michigan
will join up soon."
Whatever town is decided on will
be graced with a new arena to cost
$4,000 and to seat $4,000, according
to Richards promises. | asked the
champion if he really, truly liked to
fight. He said he did-if there was
money in it When | mentioned
the Willard war record both Archer
and his boss jumped to the defen-
sive. They declared that there has
been much misrepresentation, that
Jess had given as many benefits as
he had been allowed to give. That
he had offered more and had been
turned down. That the press hadn't
mentioned all he had done. Also
that he had bought a great many
bonds.
Look at that exhibition bout in
Texas when Jess raised $1,000 for
the war camp community service"
exclaimed Archer. mot a line in
the papers about that. There were
others, too, that didn't get any ps.b-
licity. Nose of the trouble was
that all the training camps wanted
Jess at the same time. Of course
he couldn't be all over at once"
Well, the wars over now, and
there are many other things to oc-
cupy the Willard mind. For in
stance-oil. Jess thinks lie has
struck it rich around Ranger, Texas.
He IS very enthusiastic about the
future.
"I'm anxious to get the fight off,"
Willard enthused. "It's down deep
-nice rich OIL" and he beaned con-
ternplatively.
| began to wonder just how much
money the erstwnile pauper h; now
amassed, so | put the question to
him. Willard smiled. well, l don't
know. l haven't figured it up It's
pretty hard to say. You see. ! have
investments. You know how that is
You can't tell in advance he they
are gooing to turn out" / hazarded,
at least you haven't lost anything?"
ct is estimated that the champion
ship is worth a quarter of a million
dollars to the holder. Willard GER
tainly has made several hundred
thousand since 1879.
Jess said he expected to sub
scribe $20,000-had already sub
scribed $4,000 to the last Liberty
loan, making total, he says of $780,
600. The big loan demonstrations
the flyers especially-gave him
quite thrill. "In couple of years
when they get safe enough for
me to pilot-I'm going to buy an
airplane," he predicted.
Quite close to the Willard heart
is his residence in Lawrence, Kan,
90 miles from Kansas City. Here
live his wife and five children with
their ponies and tame, deer, health
fully in the open. Fifty miles north
lies his oOO-acre farm, cropped with
wheat for his dual reason because
the government needs wheat-and
there's money in it." The present
day Jess, however, does not actively
farm. He leases the land, as he does
his home here in Rogers Park.
Before l left Willard to his early
bed l asked the obvious question::
"Are you training for this fight
and what are you doing?"
The question confused him a bit.
"Er-ah--a little. Not much.
don't need much. It's too early.
I'm in good condition. just little
pushing, you know"
Quite mysteriously, / wondered.
"Well, no matter, Mr.. Willard, I'll
see you act for the movies tomor-
row and maybe--next day. can
have peep at your training? Good
night"
IT. -