Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-09-07

"eiknts. between times, however,
visitors in town and the local public I
found time to discuss tho lesser fights. 4
Nine men out Of ten wanted Skelly to /
win, and the same proportion felt it a (
risky piece Of business to stake thoir
money that way.
The Brooklyn contingent was the ex- |
ception 70 the rule. II rated Skclly as
star performer because Il had seen !
him light, had his measure and was
patriotic to the core. That created a
bit OF sentiment In tho Brooklyn mans
favor, but did not affect betting to tho
extent OF cutting down tho odds. Yot
the odds were tempting and taken by
hundreds OF betters who risked few
dollars at 3 to l. Fer few moments
during the day odds were TO but
later went buck to the original figures
3 TO ] while Dixon was Enthusiastically
the favorite at 3 TO 10.
The weather was wLrm but the
throng at the ring was like all good
natured multitudes that gather here.
IL was different in one respect; ordina-
rily there was not black face TO be
seen inside the arena. There was n
cloud OF them tonight in the gallery.
One Of the stars tonight was black
man and the club acceded to the natu-
raj desire ON the part Of the colored
element TO witness the engagement, and
set aside space for them, The colorcd
brothers did not come In large num-
bers, but took deep interest In what
went ON and felt pardonable pride in
the representative Of their race.
The mon weighed carly in the day
When they signed the articles they
agreed to tip the scales at lis or un-
der at $50 in the afternoon, or about
six hours and half before tho fight
began. This was considered To DO
quite an advantage to Shelly, who
takes ON flesh more rapidly than his
opponent, but the dushy boy from Bos-
ton did not mind the discrimination.
AT . o'clock he showed up in superb
form, at least that was the opinion OF
those who saw them.
Chairman Sporo Of the contest com
mittee handled the scales. Dixon got
on first and the scales balanced at us
pounds. He was just AT the weight.
| Then Skelly took his place, He was
under the limit weighing but 1854, so
| when he entered the ring he was
/ hardly any heavier than his opponent,
II indeed he was as heavy. With the
| weighing over the men went back to
their quarters and there spent the
afternoon and evening, doing compare
| lively little work,
The crowd tonight was somewhat
smaller in point Of size than last night
but II was nevertheless an immense
gathering, large enough. indeed to pay
the purse and yet leave the club bali
ance ON the ledger as result Of the in
vestment.
The two men reached the club build
ing AN hour before hostilities really be-
gan. Dixon came first, FIVE minutes be-
fore his rival, with handsome Tom
ORourke and other helper athletes.
HI was Ia ken into his room and there
underwent tho usual preliminary prep
arations for the fight,
Jack McAuliifc, the hero Of las;
nights battle, ohaperonsd tue Skelly
party. IN his room he, too, was stripped
Both men were confident a. they waited
for the calls summoning Them TO battle
The scales upon which the gloyei
were weighed were brought into thu
ring at ten minutes 10 nine. There wa
gentle murmur upon its arrival which
amply proved the vast concourse o
people present were anxious for TIN
battle TO begin. The sight OF the scale
brought every man lounging about Y
his seat and AL eyes We're llnniSulatel.
turned TO tine entrance door 10 the rliiH
some tiihe elapsed, however, polose i,l
little gladiators MADE tnelr appearance
and the audience had plenty Of time 4
grow anxious again before lhe MS
lighter appeared.
d IN THE RING.
Vtce-Iresident Speer leu lhe proges
sion Of the little lighters mo the rli
at 300 Ho was closely. lulloWeu ~,
Dixon, who was irst IN ms corner i n
little colored champion was followed .
Tom O'Rourke, James Doughertyi D. !
Kelly, Jack Hnvlin' VINO acted US Sc,
onds. a; j. Bradley was announcer
bottle-holder; 40
Young Sicily came IN a snort VIM
after and received tremendous ov'
tion. The Brooklyn amateur MAs ~
onded by Jimmy CArrolii zoe Nhoynsh
aud John koplnsoh' WIN 1vhhhg ~,
lin and Bralnwee, inc leatnof-"eisu
as time-keepers'
The men weighed aecofuihH 20 aEre'
ment, seven houis prior 70 VIC ngh.'
Sicily was, FIRST 70 make lrlenul
overtures, ana gong 20 ms opPohs1l
gave him a hearty shahs % thv nAn li
A general party was neg IA w ~
= ter OF the ring during Whleh thS ~
aHH.HH IT, q o. q