Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-25
THE BIG FIGHT.
CoIbett and Mitchell at
Jacksonville,
MEMORABLEMEET OFPUG|uSTS
Thousands View the Battle in
the Arena.
Most Noted Sporting Men in the
Country Present.
Soldiers Attend. But Not to Pre-
vent
Most Noted Sporting Men in the
Country Present.
Soldiers Attend. But Not to Pre-
vent
MORNING SCENES.
jacksonville Was Wide Awake and
Astfr Earlier Than Usual.

Astfr Earlier Than Usual.
JACKSONVILLE, Jan. 25.-This city was
up and doing earlier this morning than IL
has been for many a day. II had been
fairly lively all night long, for many OF the
sports were SO late in getting ready for bed
that they were afraid they might miss some
thing, so they remained up and made them
selves very much In evidence through the
small hours.
The morning dawned cloudy but cool and
with a premise of excellent weather for the
fight The temperature could hardly have
been better. 1t was about seventy degrees,
with a cool and gently wind which made q
light overcoat a comfort. but not necessity.
The rush toward the arena began at an
early hour. 1t was long before the time set
TO- the contest when streams Of buggies,
carriages and all sorts of vehicles began to
drift out toward the arena The price Of
transportation went up with the Increased
demand. Hard times in the north have
made visitors fewer In numbers this year
than for a decade. The hackmen of Jack
sonville therefore prepared TO accumulate
as much wealth possible to tide than
through a hard summer
Two. three and four dollars was asked
and demanded for a trip to the arena The
price carried with IL the privilege OF a re-
turn ticket. but there was no earthly chance
or nnding the original vehicle as the ayari-
cious Jehus snapped up anything that had
the price of a ride, and iet the ma 10 -ity Of
those whom they carried out get back -
town the best way possible.
Description Of the Arena.
The arena in which the gladiators faced
each other is a rough. undressed pine
structure, four sided and beautifully situ-
ated on the outskirts Of the city, with q
ntful landscape whichever way the eyes
may turn. 1t is difficult Of access. ana
herein IL differs from the two clubs in New
Orleans. Within a square or two of those
doors half a dozen street cars pass Two
lines OF cars run In the direction OF the
battle ground. but neither passes within
six squares OF the big whitewashed fence
that surrounds the arena. and the sport
unprovided with the cash necessary to hire
cab or hack had a long tramp through
the heavy sand. ankle deer. before he reach
ed the narrow entrance through which the
crowd was forced to pass
The arena is in the fair grounds at Fair
field. a couple OF miles from the center OF
the city by the Tortouis line Of cars. but
scarcely more than half that distance as
the crow flies. Tapping a turn of the race
track there used TO be a high old building
used Tor any and all purposes. and having
broad and sloping sheds on either side.
Around each side OF the building the club
threw up a high fence without a crevfcs
through which any Peeping Tom might
glance. There was no attempt at ornament
on the construction of the arena An un-
susceptible and uncharitable executive had
stubbornly blocked the club at every turn
until yesterday. but the club pegged away
at its arena and when the announcement
of the favorable decision at the hancs OF
the court was received the force went to
work with increased activity and the rude
arena was ready for its crowd when the
of az hapa IN e
ward the fair grounds.
The arena is large enough TO seat with
some degree Of comfort five or six thousand
people. The seats are built around four of
its sides, a. a circus pitch. running from
almost the maximum height of the twenty
five foot fence all but flush with the ring.
The long low sheds that sloped down from
the sides of the old building were lifted Up
with props and there was a fairly clean
view from the upper tier of seats down in
the ring at foot Of the boxes filled with
sporting celebrities from all points OF the
compass.
Originally it was intended to shelter the
crowd with canvas covering. but guber-
material opposition cut down the force OF
laborers. impeded the progress OF the rear
ing of amphitheater and modified the elabo-
rate designs at first prepared for the scene
of the battle royal.
Today the only shelter for the crowd
that gathered to be In at the birth of a
new champion or welcome with loud &C.
claim the triumph OF the old one the
iators themselves and their retinue OF
scientists. trainers and attendants were
somewhat differently provided for however,
by the roof OF the old fair grounds build
ing, with its long. gaunt rafters. shaded
from the sun.
The ring, as has been noted already, was
in the center of the arena. Ii was a con-
ventional affair, square. raised a few feet
from the floor. with stout-looking posts to
support the substantial ropes tensely drawn
around il. There was an outer row OF
posts, likewise supplemented with ropes.
leaving a narrow and unobstructed alley
way all around the ring. to be used by the
seconds and the helpers. who are the lieu
tenants In every tight. The moor Was
heavy pine board nailed secure to the jacks
beneath them and covered OF necessity.
The entrance to the arena was a block
away from the gates of the grounds, and
the aisles penetrating the long. narrow
ready access TO points of vantage where
they might look down with complacency
upon the fierce struggle for supremacy be-
tween the 1.-THE and active opponents the
pugilistic color bearers OF the two greatest
Englsh-speaking people of the globe and
probably the greatest living exponents Of
manly art.
The lam around the doors OF the arena
was dense at times, but there was plenty OF
room for all, and no discomfort was ex-
perenced by anybody.
The betting In the morning was strong IN
Corbett's favor. the general impre ssion be-
ing that the little Ergiishman would stand
no show against him.
MitchelrS Party Confident.
The general impression however, did -