The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-08

ium in its enlarged condition presented
astriking appearance when filled to its
utmost capacity, even the oyeF-hanging
galleries which seemed to put out ut
gigantic height above tho vast throng
that lines the almost countless tiers OF
seats in the main body OF the arena, be-
ing packed with an eager throng all in
tent, watching every move that was
made in the ring and about it. In look
ing over that immense throng one
could not help rejecting upon the tire.
mendous strides in popular favor that
have been made by boxing since
Heenan and 4Iorrissey fought on tho
Canadian shore OF Lake Erie a little
over thirty years ago. In these days
men were in the habit OF going to
prize fights only "on the sly" and
those wko went were particularly care
full to have their names kept out OF the
newspapers at all hazards, But it was
not only the disgrace consequent upon
being known as a patron Of iistic sports
that deferred many from attending
those prize fights in the good old days.
At that time going to prize fight
meant long and fatiguing rides in badly
managed trains or on board the slowest
and most uncomfortably crowded steam.
boats, staggering under o huge load OF
proiane and foul mouthed humanity Of
the very lowest type. Men, who would
under ordinary circumstances be the
most Objectionable OF travelling COM
panions, but when in the midst OF sur
roundings Of class calculated to arouse
and encourage their worst propensities
became doubly Objectionable.
a GREAT CHANGE.
All these things had tendency to
make prize fighting disreputable in the
old times, but as conducted at the
Olympic Club these contests have come
to wear different aspect. Now men
travel TO great boxing contests In ves-
tibuled limited trains, they sleep at the
best hotels, fare sumptuously every
day and when the time for the contest
arrives they find themselves in grand,
brilliantly lighted arena, in comfortable
and almost luxurious seats, without
having undergone anything like dis
comfort on their journey to the battle
ground. Instead OF disorderly mob,
they find surrounding them mon OF ap-
parent respectability, policemen ready
TO stop anything like disorder.
Though the best OF order and good
humor prevailed, what would have been
only low hum OF voices in an ordi=
nary sized crowd was magnifed into a
loud, hoarse roar as the voices OF fully
5000 people were blended into gigGn-
tic whole. The crowd appeared to be
pretty evenly divided in Its sympathies.
Both Lien had plenty OF friends.
SULLIVAN THE FAyoRITE.
1t is almost unnecessary to say that
as far as betting men was concerned
Sullivan was the favorite at odds Of
about two to one, although those who
looked at the public records of the men
failed to sec why the big fellow should
be started as an infallible winner.
When tho match was made it was
meant to be a decisive one in Its result.
There was plenty Of money to back each
man. The Sullivan people dictated the
terms and tho other sido had to meet
the lead Ten thousand side was
named as the wager. The Corbest peo.
pie agreed to it without domur. That
meant $4,000 as a starter. Then there
came the question Of n purse.
The Olympic is the Sullivan Of clubs
and wanted tho match at all hazards.
1t offered $4,000 for the mill and the
princely sum was accepted. It was
agreed the winner should have the
whole OF it, The loser would find no
snlaee for his woe. Tho conditions
wero brief They wGta TO the effect
Of n finish under Queensberry rules.
That means that the men must stand
up squorely and box. Stripped TO the
waist, each round to last three min.
utes, aud one minute rest. Nothing
was said about weights. Either man
was, privileged to carry rs much flesh
as he pleased. Along with the purse
10 tine winner OF the fight goes the