The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-05
THE PRIZE RINGS PALMY DAYS.
The Immense Crowds and Preparations that
Signalized a Fight in the Olden Times.

The Immense Crowds and Preparations that
Signalized a Fight in the Olden Times.
Bells Life.
The moment the actual place of rendezvous
was fixed, the eommissary of the ring, Tom
Oliver. and Dick Curtis, Tom CALAIS, Frosty
faced Fogo and able assistants proceeded to
make their arrangements; and on the summit
of a high hill, fine plain called Bishops
Wood, formed the ring and certainly nothing
could have been more admirably arranged. The
stakes were formed from fir poles, at least eight
inches in diameter deeply inserted in the earth
and of the usual height exhibiting an ap
pearance of strength and frmness which
babe defiance to all encroachment. Be
You'd these a wider ring was formed
of similar stakes, with ropes attached so as to
keep the spectators at a distance leaving an I'M
mense area between; and beyond these again,
were placed double and in many instances a
triple succession of wagons and elevated stages
formed substantially of timber. These prepara-
tions arose from wellfounded anticipation that
an immense multitude would be assembled, and
certainly greater crowd we never witnessed on
any similar affair, with the exception of that at
Worcester when Spring and Langan fought;
but even this was thought to have been out
numbered.
The important morning at length arrived, and
with the dawn of day simultaneous move com
menced from every part of the compass. There
was no description of vehicle which was not
called in requisition; the stage coaches,
barouches, postchaises, gigs flies buggies;
carts, cars and wagons jostled each other, and
all crowded to an overflow. Then came eques-
trians without end--including all orders-from
the high mettled hunter to the humblest hack,
many bearing two and in some instances three
riders The pedestrians, as may be supposed.
were still numerous and all the opera
tives, who usually devote Eastertide to fun
and frolicn were on the toddle. Birmingham,
Walsall Wolyerhampton, Dudley, West Brom-
witch, Wednesday,, Dalston Bridgnorth, and all
the surrounding wide spreading and populous
iron foundries, and the manufactures of all de-
scriptions were deserted and more extraordi-
nary diversity of human character has seldom
met the eye-the fair sex adding to the general
singularty of the coup d'oeil.
The spot chosen for the ring, we have already
stated, was considerable elevated above the sur
rounding country, and while the approaching
multitude could thus command squint at the
wished-for goal they were approaching those
already arrived had fine panoramic view OF the
gathering throng. The wagons and stages soon
found occupants at 5s mob, while the humber
classes scrambled within the outer circle, taking
up their positions under the direction of proper
masters of the ceremonies, armed with whips
and sticks. AS II o'clock approached the mass
became more dense, and at last they were con-
centrated twelve and fourteen deep, completely
back to the wagons 1t required the utmost ex-
ertion to keep them within the prescribed
bounds, as those behind could not obtain even
glimpse of the ropes and stakes.
At 10 o'clock Brown, attended by Spring,
quilted their quarters at Compton in an open
landau, drawn by four spirited horses, Browns
own property, with The Bottle in Hand" EN-
blazoned on the panels of the carriage each
man wearing the favorite fogle of his hero.
They were surrounded by q body guard of
Browns friends on horseback and followed by
long line of carriages At IL they reached the
Bradford Arms, at 1vetsey Bank, where Samp-
son stopped.
Shortly before 1 o'clock the order for move TO
the arena of battle given, and Sampson set
out in coach and six, surrounded by his
patrOns-Brown occupying swell drag, Ill high
spirits.
Brown first entered the ring He was
ceived by deafening shout of welcome. His
colors displayed in every direction, and, on
throwing his castor within the ropes, he fol
lowed and bowed respectfully in all directions.
He was dressed in blue coat, breeehes, and top
boots.
Sampson Immediately prepared for action,
and his example was followed by Brown, whose
general turn out" was of superior character,
his second, Tom Spring wearing white jacket
and white silk stockings, and Richmond being
also attired in fash toys.
At the moment it was calculated that there
could not be less than So 900 persons present, of
all ranks, and the scene which was presented
was the most extraordinary we ever witnessed.
Every elevated spot. whether wagon. stage, or
carriage, was literally swarming; but such
was the frmnesS with which every
erection was constructed that wo did not
bear of single accident. Crowds continued TO
arrive for a considerable time afterward, and
many who had taken the wrong road, by going
to Stourbridge, altogether thrown out
All being in readiness, the men threw off
their last remaining garments and approached
the scratch. pin might have been heard drop
at the moment The condition of both men was
excellent but the disparity in size obvious
to all Brown stood we'll over his man, and his
gigantic size, added to his apparent confidence,
kept him the favorite at to l, which was laid
and taken at the moment. the best judges and
the most knowing of the fancy laying the odds.
The symmetry of Simpsons frame was beauti-
full while a fixed determination to do his best
was plainly written in every line of his counte-
nance and the result showed his confidence was
not misplaced.