Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1914 — HOPPE CONTINUES BILLIARD CHAHOON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOPPE CONTINUES BILLIARD CHAHOON

Willie Hoppe, champion billiard--Ist, must feel like Alexander the Great felt when he wept because he had no more worlds to conquer. Recently Hoppe, the young giant of the cue, swept his most recent challenger, Calvin Demarest of Chicago, out of the way for the second time within a year. Thus had Demarest, Sutton, Monttngstar, and Cline, representing the beßt players in America, with the possible exception of George Slosson, the veteran, and the newcomer among the professionals, “Chick” Wright of San Francisco, fallen, one after another, before the prowess of the present proud holder of the coveted title. To this list of vanquished stars might be added Koji Yamada, the clever Japanese, who not many moons since suffered a more decisive beating at the hands of Hoppe than any of Sir Wil-

Ham’s other and numerous victims. Who then is there to meet the champion with a ghost of a chance of dethroning him? In France Flrmin Cassignol is the recognized leader in a field of several crack players, and he may come to this country in the course of a few months and throw down the gauntlet to Hoppe. A match has been talked of between the pair, but to date the principals have been unable to agree on terms. Internationally the contest, if arranged, would be of interest to billiard fans, and it may be a realization in due time. Cassignol is a star of the first magnitude, a much improved player over the Cassignol who appeared in a New York tournament some years ago, and it is safo to say that, while he might not defeat Hoppe, he would acquit himself better than have Demarest, Sutton, Yamada, et al.

Willie Hoppe, King With the Cue.