A CHAMPION EATER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 213, 17 December 1910, Page 10

A CHAMPION EATER

FINISHES HAM IN 42 MTNUTES. "Boots" Repetti, "champion long-dis-tance eater of America," threatens to invade New York and New England States, and fill and fatten on the pies and pastry, chowder beef and beans, | and other comestibles of the North. There is ■ nothing secretive about "Boots'" gastronomic feats. He invites all who can crowd round him to view the show—free of charge. All he asks is that someone will pay for the meal he eats. Between Baltimore and Washington has had no trouble finding backers or restaurant keepers willing to furnish a number of ordinary meals to him at one sitting for the advertising of it. This form of publicity has been abandoned, being too expensive. Boots has become too well known to find unsuspecting financial supporters; and as he must eat he is now looking to territory north for a new supply of free provender. Boots' porcine stunts are too numerous to mention. With that deceptive-looking pair of lower jaws and those long, yellow teeth, he has, if stories current are to* be believed, wrecked oyster houses, eaten whole hogs, and demoralised waiters with startling frequency. His latest feat rather "lays it over" any recent record. In a little back room in «, saloon in South-east Washington Boots leaned back in his chair, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, bit off a piece of chewing tobacco, and voiced a few scathing remarks anent the niggardly hospitality of Ms hosts. The latter in the preceding two hours and forty-five minutes had furnished the following repast to him:—One boiled ham, unlimited water, one barrel of kale, and two gallons of beer. Boots had no bets on the result, but others had, and several hundred dollars changed hands in the room after he had finished. In a small room, so crowded that his jaws, it is said, were the only parts of his person he could move unimpeded, he i munched and munched, took a fresh start and munched some more, almost oblivious to the jests and exclamations I of wonder passing between the several hundred spectators of the performance. Occasionally he would smile at some sally directed at him, but as a rule he was too busily occupied to reply. The ham supplied by a Centre Market butcher for the occasion came first on the menu. Armed with knife, fork, large bottle -of catsup, and a gallon pitcher of water, Boots attacked it vigorously. In exactly 43 minutes he had despatched all that part usually eaten of a ham. Then he ate the skin and fat. He washed it down with a gallon of water. While waiting for the kale to be brought to his table Boots called for his first gallon of beer. His manager sampled it for him, a proceeding Boots eyed jealously. After someone else 'had tasted the beverage Boots called it "no count," and demanded a fresh pitcher, which he guarded carefully. The kale, which when boiled down filled six platters, was brought on at 6.5 o'clock. The last platter was taken from the table an hour and a-half later. A half-pint of vinegar and a pint of olive oil had been consumed as a seasoning. The second gallon of beer washed it down. Repetti is a former employee of the Navy Yard. At present he is working for a building contractor. He is about 6ft HOin in height, weighs 1651b, and is 40 years old. He measures less than 45 inches round the waist. Another famous bout in the list* ,of Booto' banquets took place on the Mayi flower last winter. To determine a wager he ate a meal sufficient for a

family of 12, at the behest of the crew of the Mayflower. The meal comprised one roast turkey, weighing 101b, one quart of cranberries, three quarts of sauerkraut, one loaf of bread, one halfpint of olive oil, one half-gallon of raw oysters; one pint of catsup, 12 stalks of ■celery, and a gallon of beer. Qn another occasion 'he ate out an oyster house, and a few days later stowed away a good-sized roast pig at one sitting. Repetti eats slowly bift effectively. He masticates this food carefully, and wfll take part in no levity while banquetting." One of his favorite breakfasts consists of pie and milk.