Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 89, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1918 — WILLIE HOPPE HELD UP AS MODEL AMERICAN BY WASHINGTON PASTOR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILLIE HOPPE HELD UP AS MODEL AMERICAN BY WASHINGTON PASTOR

William F. Hoppe, champion balkline billlardist of the world, had a new experience recently when he was called to the pulpit of the First Methodist church by Rev. Dr. Francis Burgette Short and introduced to the congregation. Doctor Short was speaking on “The Rejected Man, or American Manhood,” and was discussing what wants to be done with the millions of men who have been rejected by the army because they are.physlcally unfit. He pointed to Mr. Hoppe as an example of clean living. He said,, in part: “You all know what an ardent booster I am of clean sport,” said Doctor Short. “Mr. Hoppe exemplifies clean sport. Years ago when he was a boy he set his eyes on the world’s billiard championship. In order to attain his end he knew that he would have to hold himself under physical subjection. He is a total abstainer from strong drink and other forms 'of physical excesses and has achieved a record in his chosen line of sports never before touched by any individual. His success is largely due to his clean living.” The photo shows Hoppe and his partner. R. B. Patterson, making a few difficult shots for the edification of the jackies-at Mare Island, Cal.