Hoppe article 1959
- Thread starter Philthepockets
- Start date
Hoppe died Feb. 1st, 1959. The following is from the Evansville Press (Indiana), Feb. 8th edition.... thanks to https://newspapers.com
In one of his books, Babe Cranfield talks about road tripping with Hoppe. They were both under contract to Brunswick with Cranfield playing pool and Hoppe billiards, of course. Hoppe didn't drive as it might stiffen his wrists. Cranfield didn't much care for being a chauffeur.
Here's another comparing him with other greats of he era...
And here is another. Especially note the kind of discipline Hoppe received. 
I think Hoppe lived the last decade of his life on a farm in the Midwest? Iowa maybe?
I think he lived in Florida. Cochran was from Iowa, but Hoppe had no connection that I know of. Hoppe doesn't seem like the kind of person to retire to a farm.
His obit in the first post was from Miami.
Easy enough to put a link from the history forum to this thread. Done.
Hoppe. Billiards as it should be played, is my favorite reference book.
According to Hoppe's book IIRC, Schwab gave Hoppe $50,000 after he beat Vignaux in 1906. I imagine he had a few francs bet. That would be the equivalent of 1.6 million today.And here is another. Especially note the kind of discipline Hoppe received.
("The big man was Charles M. Schwab.")
From May 28th 1914
November 1914
Probably unique.
At that time I think the rail nurse was completely allowed but of course the balls are smaller and the cloth fuzzier. I would expect Hoppe to be unstoppable on the rail.What I'm a little surprised by is that English cues are twice the length of American carom cues, as stated in the previous item by Daly. That either referred to the long equipment or it was a typo.
As for de Oro's challenge, I think it took Hoppe a long time to win a 3-C tournament after balkline died in the US.
Last edited:
October 1914
October 5 1914
I did a quick search and your memory is correct Bob. Hoppe lived his last few years in Miami with his brother.
L.S. Dennis
Well-known member
Or carrying his bags if I remember correctly reading in that book. Babe got pretty fed up with it as I recall.