Cmoyle
04-08-2009, 06:05 PM
Stumbled across this article today in a January 13, 1914 Superior Telegram newspaper and thought it might be of interest to some:
"W. Jordan of "Let 'er Go" Fame Quits Ring at 80
Famous Announcer, Known the World Over, To Spend His Last Days in Soldier's Home
Special Correspondence
San Francisco, Jan. 8 - Billy Jordan, the veteran announcer, whose famous "Let 'er go!" has launched championship fights more than a quarter of a century, "agrees to break at the order of the referee."
Time is the arbitrator and having piled 80 years on Billy's distinguished head and afflicted him with this post, given him by Governor Budd, and will repair to the Old Soldier's home at Yountville, Cal., where he expects to round out his sunset years quietly.
Still hale and hearty otherwise, his legs have given out.
"But my voice is as good as it ever was," maintains this octogenerian of the ring, whose classic, "both men agree to break at the order of the referee, and may the best man win - let 'er go!" has echoed through the fighting history.
Jordan's retirement does not mean that he will never againn lift his hand for the gong.
"But," he explains. "I will come down only for the important fights - every now and then, I can't make the trip for these little battles.
"I can't entirely quit the fighting game and I don't want to."
Born in Boston in 1833, and coming to California in 1855, bare knuckles were the vogue, later became a referee and finally announcer. A brace of broken knuckles testify to this encounters in the old days, which, he says, were best.
After 60 years of actual experience, he maintains that there are today fewer high-class scrappers than of old, and that Peter Jackson was the greatest fighter he ever saw in action. (Note: Jordan was the announcer for the Jack Johnson - James J. Jeffries title fight)
Distinguished service as a sailor and soldier in the Civil War entitles Jordan to retire at the Old Soldier's home."
"W. Jordan of "Let 'er Go" Fame Quits Ring at 80
Famous Announcer, Known the World Over, To Spend His Last Days in Soldier's Home
Special Correspondence
San Francisco, Jan. 8 - Billy Jordan, the veteran announcer, whose famous "Let 'er go!" has launched championship fights more than a quarter of a century, "agrees to break at the order of the referee."
Time is the arbitrator and having piled 80 years on Billy's distinguished head and afflicted him with this post, given him by Governor Budd, and will repair to the Old Soldier's home at Yountville, Cal., where he expects to round out his sunset years quietly.
Still hale and hearty otherwise, his legs have given out.
"But my voice is as good as it ever was," maintains this octogenerian of the ring, whose classic, "both men agree to break at the order of the referee, and may the best man win - let 'er go!" has echoed through the fighting history.
Jordan's retirement does not mean that he will never againn lift his hand for the gong.
"But," he explains. "I will come down only for the important fights - every now and then, I can't make the trip for these little battles.
"I can't entirely quit the fighting game and I don't want to."
Born in Boston in 1833, and coming to California in 1855, bare knuckles were the vogue, later became a referee and finally announcer. A brace of broken knuckles testify to this encounters in the old days, which, he says, were best.
After 60 years of actual experience, he maintains that there are today fewer high-class scrappers than of old, and that Peter Jackson was the greatest fighter he ever saw in action. (Note: Jordan was the announcer for the Jack Johnson - James J. Jeffries title fight)
Distinguished service as a sailor and soldier in the Civil War entitles Jordan to retire at the Old Soldier's home."