CHAMPION DRIVEN FROM
THEATER BY HOOTS AND CALLS
Boxing has been given its worst black eye here to-day by none other
than Jess Willard, heavy-weight champion who was so badly worsted to
a wordy clash with Harry Houdini, a performer at the Orpheum Theater,
last night, that the audience hissed him from the house.
Nearly 2,000 persons were present at the dramatic scene and seemed
unanimous in groaning, hooting and booing Willard.
The trouble was precipitated by Willard's gruff refusal to comply with
a friendly request made by Houdini that he act on a committee to watch
the performer's act from the stage.
It was not known that Willard was present until Houdini came before the
footlights and requested any "gentleman" in the audience to step on the
stage and guard those present from any possible deception.
After about 10 men had stepped on the platform, Houdini stepped forward
and said, smiling:
"Now I need three more gentlemen on this stage and there is a man here
to-night who doesn't know I am aware of his presence. He will be enough
for three ordinary gentlemen if he will serve on this committee."
"He is Jess Willard, our champion."
Taken by surprise, the audience was silent for a moment and then broke
into tumultous hand-clapping. Cheers and shrieks resounding throughout
the house.
Houdini looked up on the balcony, where Willard was seated, and said:
"I will leave it to the audience, Mr. Willard. You see they want to see
you."
A fresh outburst occurred, even more violent than before.
"Aw, g'wan with your act," came Willard's rough reply as the audience
stilled itself. "I paid for my seat here."
"But, Mr. Willard," expostulated Houdini, "I--
"Give me the same wages you pay those other fellows and I'll come
down," rumbled Willard's deep voice.
The audience, scenting something unusual, was very quiet.
"Sir, I will gladly do so," returned Houdini, heatedly. "Come on
down--I pay these men nothing."
"Aw' g'wan with the show," roared Willard, growling something that
sounded like "four-flusher" and "faker."
Willard's boorish replies evidently displeased those present, for a few
scattering hisses came about this time.
Houdini stepped to the footlights and held up his hand for silence.
It was readily granted.
"Jess Willard, I have just paid you a compliment," said Houdini
dramatically. "Now I want to tell you something else.
"I will be Harry Houdini, Jess Willard, when you are NOT the
heavyweight champion of the world."
A roar of applause shook the house. Men and women alike joined in the
clapping and cheering.
A deep rumble from the balcony indicated that Willard was trying to
make some retort, and the cheers veered suddenly to hoots and groans.
"I made a mistake," said Houdini, addressing the audience. "I asked
GENTLEMEN to step on this stage and GENTLEMEN only."
A renewed outburst occurred, during which Willard evidently left the
theater. He was not to be found after the next act had started.