Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-08
THE BIG BATTLE.
now TIE NEWS OF THE FIGHT WAS RE
OEiVED In WHEELING.
An Eager Crowd Assembled About the Pool Rooms
and Telegraph 0fices-AmOunt that
Changed Hands,

1t was q motley crowd which assem-
bIed in and about the pool rooms and
telegraph Offices last night, to hear the
news from the great pugilistic encoun-
ter at the Crescent City. Merchants,
mechanics and toughs elbowed each
other In their eagerness to hear the
news. The two other battles OF the
week were but as the preliminary
bouts which hold the attention OF the
audience until the big event OF the
evening. Seldom has as much interest
been manifested in Wheeling In any
sporting event, and seldom has more
money changed hands on the result.
The Western Union telegraph off1ce,
and McLaughlin's pool room on Twelfth
street, were the points where the largest
crowds assem- oled, but the people who
gathered about the pool rooms and
telegraph Offices were not the only ones
who manifested an anxiety to learn
(which whipped" The girls at the
telephone Office, and the newspapers
were besieged by people from all points
of the city and surrounding towns Tor
the latest news from the fight.
At McLaughlin's there were enough
people present before the fight began
to comfortably fill the pool room, hav-
ing called around early In anticipation
of rush for good seats and choice
standing room. AS the evening wore
on, the crowd grew apace, and at ten
o'clock the room was crowded to suffo-
cation, while several hundred people
stood on the sidewalk and out In the
streets, straining their ears to catch the
words of the bulletins as they fell from
the lips of Dix Engle.
At the Western Union similar scene
was witnessed. Each report from the
ring side was read In stentorian voice
by Manager Tracy, standing on an I'M
provlsed platform. Several saloons also
received the news and all were
crowded. At the State Fair Grounds
two patches of kilograms were read
during the evening by one OF the judges
and were received with cheers by the
crowd.
Over In the city, as each fresh report
was read, and it became apparent that
Sullivan was weakening, and Corbett
would probably be the winner, the
"short end" men vented their pent-up
enthusiasm in loud and prolonged
cheers. When the result OF the twenty
first round was read at the Western
Union, and the crowd learned that Sui
Ivan no longer wore the championship
belt, loud cheer broke out
from the crowd, and simultaneously
a shout arose from the men in front
of McLaughlin's. The cheering could
be heard for several squares. Though
not general, for the sullivan men were
too depressed in spirits to exercise their
vocal powers, 1t did not lack in volume.
Then the crowd dispersed and most
went to their homes. Many fingered,
however, to catch the last explanation
of "how 1t was" Sullivan's speech,
gracefully acknowledging his defeat,
won for him many admirers, even
among the Corbett men.
Betting last night on the result OF the
fight, started off at to in favor or
Sullivan. AS the result OF the rounds
was announced this changed to to 8,
3 to 2, and finally even on the result.
Few odds were given on Corbett, even
when the bulletins showed that he
plainly had the advantage OF his oppon-
emit in the battle. At McLaughlin's 1t
was estimated that over $4,000 had
chenged hands on the result OF the big
fight. Add to this the number OF pri-
vate bets, and the aggregate Is swelled
to upwards Of $4,000.