Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11

garding the termination of the contest.
THE REFEREE.
The name of psf. Kendrick, of New
Orleans, was offered by the Kilrain side
as referee, but he was not acceptable to
the other SIDE. The representatives of
Sullivan proposing the name of John
Fitzpatrick, Of New Orleans, say
ing: I'VE want the fight today to
take place on its merits and may the best
man win. / have only enc name TO pre-
sent for the position of referee. and that
one is known throughout the state as an
upright, just and honest man." After
considerable wrangling about the referee
in which it seemed neither side could
agree, Charley Mitchell finally said they
were willing to accept Fitzpatrick and the
announce was received with cheers.
Mitchell here went over and examined,
the spikes in Sullivan's shoes, Cleary do
ing the same TO Klrain. Fitzpatrick
said: Il am not conversant with the
rul es. This will be fair contest of the
merits of the men. 1 will do the best
can. In regard to the question that has
been spoken of, as to what time the 80
Sc conds between rounds shall commence
[ decide that it shall commence from the
time the man falls"
THE sLUGGERs BET.
W. E. Harding at this moment stepped
up to Kilrain, and placing $1,000 in his
hands told him it was sent by Fox for
him to bet with Sullivan. Kilrain at
once went over to Sullivan and offered to
bet him that sum he would win the fight
The pct was Immediately taken up by
Sullivan, and the money deposited in
the hands of the referee. Both men
being now stripped, it was apparent to
every one present the great superiority
possessed by Sullivan over his antagon-
list in the matter of size and development
the muscles of his arms standing out in
big welts, driving power appearing ire
spirits. At 1910 the principals and
seconds advanced to the center of the
ring, and formed a Maltese cross in
shaking hands, the latter retired outside
the ropes and the principals to their re-
spective corners. At the call of time
Kilrain and Sullivan advanced to the
center of the ring, the latter wearing a
confident smile while Klrain looked
serious, and the great battle for the
worlds championship began.
New ORLEANS, July 8.-The big fight is
over. Ki!raln has been fairly, souarely,
honestly and honorably whipped, in a
contest in which rhe beaten man has no
cause to be ashamed of his defeat. There
is no doubt that Jake Kilrain is a game
man and a good fighter and men who
saw him fight today will put up
their money on him next time he enters
the ring against any living man except
Sullivan. The anxiety to STE the fight
amounted almost to frenzy, and those
who were without means to pay $40 or
$15, the price OF transportation and ad-
mission took the chances of losing their
lives IN attempting to steal a ride.
just before the SIS train started from
New Orleans it was discovered that
scores of men and boys had concealed
themselves on the cross beams connect
ing the wheels, While others hung on to
the long iron rods connecting the trucks.
The greater number, however, were
perched on the roofs of cars, in some
cases as many as % to the coach.
These inter -lOpers were discovered and
driven off by the police before starting,
but when once the train was in motion,
they swarmed back like SO many flies and
remained to the end of the journey. A
remarkable feature of this
daring performance is that ninety
per cent. of the toolhardy actors in it
were
BEARDLEss BOYS
ranging in age from Is to 10. But the
most reckle5t deed of all was that of three
young rascaIs who concealed themselves
on the inner side of ties COW catcher and
were never dislodged. The ring was
pitched at Richburg, in clearing on the
edge of a pine forest, near a little viii
lage which is 102 miles from New Or
leans and Sc from Meridian
on the Queen d Crescent road.
The ring was pitched on a patch of
green turf and surrounding it On three
sides were tiers of seats ten feet high
put up by an enterprizing local specu-
lator who charged 81 for the privilege of
seat. The alleged reporters stand was
composed of three rows of seats, on a
level with the ring, and was provided
with rough wooden board in front of
them to be used as rests for writing pads.
There was room for twenty in each row,
Ott the occupants of the second row
GOULD SEE NOTHING,
their view being obstructed by those VINO
sat on the same level On the front row.
Two dollar seats were the best on the
grounds and afforded an admirable view
of every part of tie ring. Outside of the
ring the villagers sat on wood and on
wagons piled with lumber, while others
enjoyed the sight from rudely construct
ed platforms. The assembled multitude
sat broiling under the blaze of heat.
Those who had umbrellas we're allowed to
open them but the intimation was plain
and general when the fight began UNI
brellas would have to go. After paying
$15 and after coming hundreds of miles
to see the fight the crowd was in no tenn
per to tolerate any obstruction to their
view. The general aspect of the crowd
was
ANYTHING BUT TOUGH.
The hoodlum element was largely out
by an eminently respectable
crowd. Professional men, merchants,
and bankers, some from New Orleans,
and others from neighboring states,
were present TO a preponderating de-
gree. Many of the SPECTATORS
came from points as far distant as San
Francisco on the west and Boston and