Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-20

on Tuesday will be Jack Dempsey,
who arrived in Harrisburg last night
with his manager, Jack Kearns, and
their comedy company who show at
the Orpheum tonight. The part
came from Shamokin, where one
knock on the chin disposed of kid"
Hogan, a brawny chap, who tried
to win the $1,000 offered by Demp-
sey to any one who will last three
rounds with him.
The first thing Manager Kearns
said on alighting from the train
was: Its all over with Jess Will
lard; here's telegram in answer to
an offer of a syndicate to give him
Dempsey for worlds championship,
all our energies getting Carpenter
hooked up"
The syndicate which made this
colossal offer to Willard was headed
by James F. Dougherty, of Chester
one of Governor Sprouts closest
friends and an ardent boxing fan.
Believing Dempsey to be the great
est of all battlers the syndicate was
willing to take this chance.
Il hope he changes his mind"
said Dempsey last night, carelessly.
But I don't think he will"
Dempsey was more interested in
the inaugural parade, for he will
stage over to take part, being identi-
fed with the Chester representation
of several thousand. Governor
Sproul, himself, has met the won
derful 22 year old champion and is
strong for him, so that he may be
placed in a lime-light spot in the
big procession.
Willard in his telegram says, 1T
do not care to take up the subject
at present, but may consider it later
on" This Jack Kearns takes for a
final answer, and adds that Willard
is too fat to last any time with
Dempsey, who is following the foot
steps of John l.. Sullivan, meeting a
couple of men every night over the
circuit. He makes shorter work of
them than Sullivan, one or two
blows being all necessary as a rule.
Dempsey's next important fight,
said Manager Kearns, will be with
Billy Miske, at New Orleans, where
Dominick Tootrich will offer a belt
for the decision in twenty rounds.
Twice before these men have met;
at st. Paul Dempsey won in 10
rounds, and at Philadelphia in six.
Since last Monday when Kearns
and Dempsey left Long Branch the
fighter has been knocking them cold
with ease and precision, beginning
at Trenton, where he dropped Jack
McLinn with one blow. At Easton
he did likewise. At Shamokin he
took on kid" Hogan, just out of
service, and finished him before he
got up his guard so that a bunch of
sailor friends almost choked with
laughter. Sullivan used to take his
time in these transforming trips,
but Dempsey likes to finish 'em
quick
If no one offers to stand up to-
night he will spar three rounds with
his partner, Martin Burke, who
claims amateur championship of the
world light heavy and middle
weight. Only recently he turned
professional and is with the Demp-
sey camp.
Dempsey was the cynosure of Har-
risburg yesterday and last night he
and Manager Kearns put up first at
the Elks, of which both are mem
bers, but went later to the Crystal
Hotel, where hundreds soon gath
cred to see the famous pugilist.
When the writer went up in his
room and gripped hands with Demp-
sey it was like a fiat wheel car on
the Linglestown line for pressure.
His one hand is as big as the ordi-
nary humans two. He stands six
feet-two, is straight as an arrow,
weighs 100 poundh, has coal black
attractive hair and, in brief, is the
finest looking 22-year-old athlets
one could ever see.
Tell us something about how you
came to be the greatest fighter
America ever grew" we suggested,
and his merry, but determined lips
broadened into a wide grin.
Il guess you can call me Irish"
he laughed. my grand-dad came
over from the old country and
settled down in West Virginia. The
family moved to Colorado and there
l was born in a little town called
Manassa. We had a big family, five
brothers and four sisters l have. and
the first recollection L have are of
the Mormons who were thick in that
neighborhood. 1t was with one o.
them I started on my career. YOU
might say. He was coming home
from church, like myself, and we
used to swarm around, the kids.
One Mormon lad, good bit bigger
than me, got a hold on me and
started to fight. I saw my father
coming along and he did not lend a
hand so I thought I'd better take
care OF myself. I did, and when we
got home he said some nice words.
Dad was always strong for me to
take care of myself, and did all he
could to keep me at it,"
Dempsey was q hard working how
as his mighty physique shows. He
finally got to Utah in 1913 and had
his first ring bout with a welI-known
man named Benz. A huge crowd
saw the youngster beat this man
readily and DEMPSEY Iau0bad Io,,s1..