Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-23
THE SULLIVAN COMBINATION.

So much curiosity had been excited by the
proves that very large crowd gathered at
the depot yesterday morning, attracted by
the report that he and his company would
arrive in the city by the train from Colfax.
He failed to come, however, but did arrive at
4:30 P. NJ, when the assemblage anxious to
receive him was still larger than in the
morning, and rivaled in numbers those that
had gathered to greet General Grant, Gen.
eral Hancock and other notsbilities. There
were present delegations from Chico, Msrys.
vile, San Francisco, etc. Sullivan appeared
more annoyed than pleased by this express
sion of curiosity, and made his way without
ceremony out of the depot, hesitating Sec
ond to give q vigorous touch in the ribs to an
over-eager individual who pressed forward go
as to bar Mrs. Sullivan's progress. The
prospects were good for a crowded house at
the theater in the evening, many seats being
engaged beforehand, but spectators bought
up those that were remaining, and raised the
price to 81 30 per ticket for dress-circle
place. Much confusion resulted, and there
was great dissatisfaction. By degrees the
price of tickets was lowered, until finally
dollar was gladly taken, the price previously
paid Tor gsllery seats. The result was that
when the curtain rose the gallery was filled,
and there were 100 or more vacant seats down
stairs. The audience was not made any bet
ter humored when it found that the
orchestra consisted simply of piano and
cornet. Shortly after 8 o'clock the cur
tain rose, and Frank Moran, az master Of
ceremonies, announced for the first set.to
Mike Gillespie, of Boston. and Steve Taylor,
ex-champion heavy weight. This contest
was very tame, consisting msinly of taps and
slsps and ear-rubbing. Gillespie did the at
lacking and Taylor acted on the defense,
leading occasionally. Pete Mccoy, champion
of middle weights, and Herbert A. Slade, the
Maori, then had bout, the former being rs
spry as cat. and the other slow. Taylor
and the champion, Sullivan, were then intro
duced, the latter receiving hearty greeting
from the audience. He certainly has not been
over praised as to his proportions and muscu.
lar dey elopment, being unusually tall, with
great breadth of shoulder, powerful arms and
strong legs. He showed himself wonderfully
quick for man so large-quick on his fest as
well as with his hands-and possessing
plenty of "scienCe." He is a two-hsnded
fighter, with MOTTO -be-denied impetuOusness
that is very demoraliziug to an antagonist
when backed BY his great strength, and he
persists in boring in and making his enemy
retreat, or stay and be tumbled over. Added
to which he has very neat way of grssping
his opponent about the neck with his left arm
and putting the said opponents head " in
chsncery in a second. Taylor stood up
well before him, being very clever sparrer,
and they made good contest. This set-to
was followed by one between Mccoy and
Gillespie, which was the best display Of sbil-
ity of the evening. Being nearly equal in
size and agility, they gave an exhibition of
science that pleased the audience greatly. In
conclusion Sullivan and Slade appeared. but
the latter did not make as good showing
against the champion as Taylor had done.
About 9:20 the performance was over, and
the audience retired. Those who attended
merely to see Sullivan were satisfied, but the
majority, who expected some lively contests,
with little "slogging," were apparently
greatly disappointed.