The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-07

~ 10 ID durance OF
this class in the fistic trlnament-was
contest between black and white in
which public sentiment was nearly all
in favor Of the Caucasian and the pub
lie betting nearly all on the side oil the
African. Both men stood high in their
class, and each was representative oil
n class. Dixon had, up to this evening,
fought an innumerable series OF win
ming mills in professional ranks, while
his worthy opponent had equally as
spotess q record in the amateur con-
test-one had experience, cleyerness
and gameness, the other was known
and highly rated for skill and a dogged
discrimination to do or die. The match
was for the biggest money ever con-
tested for by bantams, and when the
gong rang for the opening, round the
Championship title hung in the pal-
ance.
the fghtto.night that prevailed in that
stubborn contest OF twenty-four hours
before, because it looked beforehand
like cinch for the colored man. Then
it was sandwiched in between two
greater matches.
Nine out Of ten men wanted Skelly to
win, and the same proportion. felt IT q
risky piece OF business to invest its
money that way. The Brooklyn con-
tingent was an exception to the rule.
II rated Skelly as q star performer be-
causeit had seen him fight and had his
measure and was patriotic to the core.
The odds were tempting and they were
taken by hundreds Of betters who risk
ed few dollars at three to one.
THE GATHERING CROWD.
The arrival of Corbett created rip
pie OF excitement, and the presence OF
Sullivan almost engrossed attention.
Toward nightfall the crowd turned its
attention 10 the more immediate light
and its footsteps toward the club, 1t
seemed to think it had plenty OF time,
however, and it gathered in the big
amphitheatre with much less crushing
and much more decorum than it did
last night. The scenes differed but
slightly from those OF twenty-four hours
before. In personnel thecrowd was much
like the other incongruous assemblage
that had gathered here. The weather
was warm, but the throng was like all
good.natured multitudes that gather
here, yet it was different in one respect;
ordinarily there ia not black face to
bO seen inside the arena. There was
cloud OF them tonight in the gallery.
One OF the stars tonight was black
man, and the club, acceding to a natural
desire oil the part OF the colored ele-
mcnt to witness the fight, set aside a
space for them.
AT . o'clock to-day carriages were
sent TO the quarters of the men and
tho fighters and their trainers were
brought down to the club. Chairman
Short, OF the contest committee, was on
hand to look after the interests Of tho
club and it was he who handled the
scales, Dixon got on first and the
scales balanced at lis pounds. He was
just Mt weight, Then Skelly took his
place. He was under the limit weight,
weighing but llG4, so that when he en-
tered the ring he was hardly any heav-
ier than his opponent, II indeed he was
as heavy. With the weighing over the
mon went back to their quarters.
The crowd tonight was somewhat
smaller in point Of size than last night,
but 1t was nevertheless an immense
gathering, large enough, indeed, to suit
the purpose and yet leave the club a
balance on its ledger as result OF the
Investment,
pisTtNdUIsHED ATTENDANTS.
Vice President Sport led the proces-
sion Of little fighters into the ring at
o:o5. Hc was closely followed by Dix
on, who was Glrst to take his scat in his
corner. Tho little colored champion
was followed by Tom o'Rourke, james
Dougherty, ]. j. Kclloy, Jack Havlin,
who acted rs his seconds A. j. Brad
ley was announced as bottle holder.
Young Skelly camO n short while after
and received a tremendous ovation.
Tho Brooklyn amateur was seconded
hy Jimmy Carroll, Joe ChoynskI and
John Robinson, with Johnny Griffin,
tho Braintreo ;eatherwe!ght, as timO-
keeper.
Tho men wcre weighed according to
agreement seven hours prior to the
light. SkSlly was tho first to make
friendly overtures, and going to his op-
ponGnt gave him hearty shake OF the
hand.
Everything being in readiness, and
Joo Choynski shaking his principal op-
ponents hand, the men crossed to the
centre OF tho ring, whore hand shake
commenced tho battle.
THE BEGINNING.
First Rouud-Pretty sparrius was in.
dulscd in when tho Brooklyn boy
backed away IRON vicious left load,
landed heavy right handler on his op.
noaonps mock and followed it up close.