The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-06

The doors OF the Madison Square Garden were
drawn aside shortly after nine O'Clock last night for
the opening OF the contest for the OLesry belt.
and flood Of people who had been waiting
for hours poured into the building. At midnight
there were 10000 people present. including large
number of ladies'. The start made precisely ut
O'Clock; the whole thirty five men bounded
forward in their six days march at the word ego"
from Mr.. Curtis. the manager, and the immense
audience greeted them with hearty cheers. which
again and again repeated as the struggling body
OF pedestrians swept round lap after lap.
The Garden presented busy aspect all day yester-
day. Some workmen were engaged In removing
the platform upon which Miller and Mcmahon had
wrestled tho preceding night. Others hastily
completing the somewhat and comfortless
pens which destined to be the resting places the
pedestrians for the coming week Situated under
the gallery the north side Of the building in the
space formerly used for stables, the so-caled
offer but scant privacy to their occupants. Their
position is decidedly unhealthy and the damp air Of
this cave-like gallery will doubt seriously affect
the health OF some OF the contestants The only
thing that be said in their favor In that
the pedestrians during tho resting hours will
probably be less disturbed by the
ment of the people in the building than
IL they occupied tents the track. When the at
tention of one OF the managers called to tho
state of things lie ut admitted that the rooms
not IN the bestsposition, aud that the ground
probably somewhat damp. but he thought this
would not make much difference. as the men likely
to take good place would not remain long enough
in their rooms for the atmosphere to seriously In
terfere with them. Tho correctness Of this opinion
IL, however. somewhat dot btful.
BooKMAKERs ON HAND.
While the carpenters and laDorers were ut work
during the forenoon quite q number OF betting men
and pool makers found their way the building
and busted themselves with making preparations
catering to the gambling propensites of the public
They evidently of opinion that o good
deal OF interest would DO felt in the con-
test. and NO less than ten nrms were
found willing to pay 500 each for tho privilege OF
setting up slate. The arrangements in this
nection differ from those made in the Ashley belt
contest. the bookmakers having been moved from
their central position aud given q place immedi-
ately under tho enclosure devoted to tho
press. Up to the present very little has been
pool sellers absolutely a. to tie probable
outcome of the race. and await the identification of
dark horse i'll the long list OF contestants. Tho
example of Merritt in the last walk in fresh in their
minds. ana ~ they were only saved from q grand
burst up by the failure OF the public lay any large
Sums ON the longlegged man from Connecticut
they propose 10 hnd out something about the mon
In the present contest before ocring very ong odds
THE USUAL SYMPTOMS.
Very little interest was manifested in the walk
during the carly day, and the only Representatives
OF the public to be about the place were a few
small groups of idle young iounging about in
the vain hope OF odging their way in by
hook or crook. In this they were destined
to DO disappointed, as the doors were
watched with aryus-cycd severity by employees
who recognized mo- "Opon sesame" but tn. pro-
duction OF the regulation ticket. Tho Sabbath still
ness Was, however, broken by tho irrepress.ble
small boy. Groups of that genus gathered early
and organized juvenile matches the sidewalk with
utter indifference to the rights of the church going
people, who strcaIncd pact tho building their way
TO and fiom divine service. As the day grew old,
however. the lounging crowd increased till by tho
Though there absolutely nothing to Interest
them, the people stood about patiently hour
after hour. with a Mcawbcr like hope
that something would turn up." Except the con
slant coming aud going OF the workmen and en-
ployes nothing did turn up, aud the Watchers had
TO pass their time best they could discussing the
merits OF the contestants and their chances of SUI
II tell you what" remarked a gentleman. who
eviucntly hailed from the classic regions OF the
Bowciy, THAT there Blower Brown is goin 10 walk
away tom all these cllcrs."
wait tili ye sce." replied a neighbor.. THAT
Yuma Indian IL going to show 'em all points,.
yuma indian be blowed That Teller Crom WE'LL
amt Indian moro than me. That's only
dodge to huml,ug the soitics."
II tell you he's real redskin an no mistake. Hos
been scout on the Plains"
''i'll bot fny boots that the only scouin' no
did was la barrooms" replied the iucredulous NOR
tai, " no evidently did not pm his faith to posters
At q little distance an admiring group was col
lcctcd about a stalwarth longshorenan, whose mel
lIfuous accent at once marked HIM OF the
Green Isle. Tie was no room to doubt where his
sympathies centred.
do know Hin Curran?" he said as ho looked