The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-08-22
AT HOME TO HIS FRIENDS.
The Hush and Jam at John Z. Sullivan's
New Saloon in Boston.

BOSTON, Aug. 7.-Over $4,000 persons
tried to be present atthe opening of John
i. Sullivan's barroom this evening, and
the result was the most exciting street
scene of recent years in Boston. The
situation at one time became threaten
ing, and all the police reserves OF the
city, except in the remote suburbs, were
sent for in great haste. The champion
advertised that he would open the most
gorgeous barroom in New England on
the night after he fought Slade. He sent
no special invitations, but asked all his
friends to sample his liquor. and cigars
at their own expense.
Soon after 4 p. m. when the champion
returned from New York, a crowd be-
gan to collect on Washington street, in
front of the saloon. At $50 there was a
rush, a jam, and a blockade. When the
doors were opened between 1000 and
$4,000 persons tried to condense them
selves into a space not large enough for
half that number. In the first crush the
brass guard rail in front Of the bar vas
torn down and theG1OWd seemed about
~ JohC pOSSNsS1OA vi LIZ " IIoAS
ment.
There was a scene of the greatest IN
fusion. Women shrieked, men cursed,
and the crowd attempted to run in all
directions at once. Hundreds held at
bay in the jam turned on the police, and
there were several serious encounters.
One officer was pulled from his horse by
a bowling crowd, and was very roughly
handled before his companions came to
his rescue. Meeting stubborn resistance,
the police used clubs freely and dozens
of men were knocked down and left
with broken heads. There was. nc time
to make arrests. The only prisoner of
note taken was Tom Drohan, a South
Boston pugilist of some reputation in
the ring.
At its height the assembly numbered
fully Is, 900 people, and during the even
ing probably 10000 more attempted to
visit the saloon.
At about 10 o'clock the San correspon-
dent obtained admission to the saloon,
and found the champion entertaining
his personal friends in an elegant pri-
vate room. The barroom is a fine affair,
richly fitted in mahogany and glass We
neer. Sullivan is quite proud of the es-
Enlistment. He was in excellent
spirits tonight. He had been drinking
wine quite freely, and an enthusiastic
but bibulous admirer was hugging him
vigorously. Sullivan spoke quite gener-
ously Of the pugilistic capacity Of his
last nights antagonist.
Before he went to Boston Sullivan
said of Slade to a Sun reporter:
HE is a very powerful man and very
awkward to get at. To my surprise, he
fought on the defensive. If he had
forced the fighting | would have finish
ed him in the first round. You I'M
derstand it is hard work to beat a man
when he won't lead, and easy if he will
come for it. Then you can meet him
with double force, especially it your
blow is landed first, because he runs
against it and gets a good nose ender. l
tell you it makes a man put his consid-
ering cap on"
us Slade a game man."
"Oh, yes; in my opinion he'll stand
lots of punishment
"How about fighting again."
"Well, I'll tell you. [ am going to
take a Arrest and stick to my saloon. IT
any boxer wants to meet me all he has
to do is to take a trip to Boston and |
will accommodate him. But it must he
in private, with a certain number of
friends on each side, and they can set
the sum from 81, 900 to S20, 0O0-first come
first served"