New-York tribune., 1921-12-28

ne EEeAS SGIt pumped 1nLCv
me after the party had entrained We
had first met in better days--better
Savs for Johnson, at least, mean;
when he returned from Europe to sign
uapers for fight with Jim Jetfries at
Reno. New. 8 tight that made him at
once and the same time the most noto-
rieus and the most despised pugiliss
tkat ever wore q championship crown
Gone was the smile of gold; gone the
aashing aura Of polished white.
thrown into boldsr relief by its ebony
border. Slightly shrinking of mien and
iurtive OF eye, as child abasheG
through correction, he stood the en-
counter.
Saved From Potters' Field
~ came to bury Sam, not to praise
him." he parsphrased, and there was a
suggestion OF dewdrop in the challeng-
ins eye o. 8 stoical face.
"Sam meant much to me-" he hast
ened on. The old black guard is wan
ing. Athletic decay has set in in the
race that was once physically great
The giant negro referred to Sam Nc
vey. short-tine dead, and destined to
be buried in PotSers' Field If Jack
johnson hai no. hurried East from
Cincinnati to guarantee funeral ex-
uenses For many years Johnson knew
AcYey, his dusky rival, and appreciated
him.
"We fought three times" said john
son. He was the toughest man l ever
fought. He hit ne harder than I was
ever hit before or since. l returned the
commitment. sam had the worst left
hand | ever encountered It was a
sbsrs chop, loa4ed with T N 7. Sam
Iangford had Just such hook in either
aand, but Langford, great as he was
<or his weight and inches, had neither
she weight nor leverage to drive his
socks homo.
y fought McVey three times. Twice
gained the decision over limited dis
tances. Once I knocked him out in
the twentieth round at Mechanics Pa
vilion, San Francisco. And | wish to
:eIl you in that fight | was hit the
hardest blow I ever took in my life.
1t was one Of those short, left chops
to the mouth that stove in nv teeth
and left NY head dizzy and body numb
fer ten rounds or more. Finally, when
! nailed McVev 7 hit Sam on the Jaw
harder than I ever hit any other man,
and at that the count scarcely beat
him. A good game man McVey. That's
Why I'm here
knot Of curious had gathered
round by now. Some eavesdropping
urchins had betrayed the confidence.
From lip to lip passed the word among
he hurrying throngs that crowded
the depot: That's Jack Johnson, the
GLOW who licked Jefries."
Pleads for Another Chance
They sidled up from every quarter,
aen-mouthed and stary-eyed. as only
W York crowds do. AS they closed
the big negro's voice fell; fell to
confidential whine Gone was the
rrogance OF former days, when he
united white women IN the face Of
ea'itiangl Caucasian decency Gone
ne deVil-may y-care indecency Of world
de notoriery.
Il want TO come back" he pleaded;
want to come back in vindication OF
race and decency. I've made good OBJ
legations to society; atoned my errors
IN sorrowful days in Leavenworth
prison.
Prison made a new man of me. I
mean morally as we'll as physically
came from the cage as physically fit
as had been since the day beat Jim
Jsttries in Reno A kind warden made
THIS possible. He gave me every ad-
being
You writer's al figure me an old
has-been,' Jack Johnson continued
We'll, look here." He unbuttoned his
leather automobile coat and under
hight grey suit of tweed disclosed
front as perpendicular as one might
expect in one Of his weight of lad
or twenty. There was absolutely no
suggestion Of front" or ebay window p
~ weigh less than 230 pounds" said
Johnson less than I weighed when