Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-03

Several Hundred Women Among Those
Who Watched the Bout.

Who Watched the Bout.
The National club had made most |
elaborate preparations for the fight |
and it is probable that a similar con- |
test was never witnessed by as many
people. The N-foot ring was located |
in the center of the pavilion, the larg-
est of it's kind in San Francisco, and
over $50 boxes, accommodating from
six to ten persons each, surrounded the |
ring, and beyond the boxes and in the |
galleries on four sides Of the ring were |
row after row of chairs. Every seat in
the building was occupied and thou
sands of men stood up back of the rows
OF chairs.
One unique feature Of the night was
the fact that for the first time in the
history of puigilism the management Of
the club threw open the doors to wom-
en- and several hundred women were
gray-haired matrons whose enthu-
in attendance last night. Some of them
asm on the subject had led them to
venture beyond the bounds of conven-
tionaiity. One hundred police and as
many more special officers We're in at
tendance and hundred ushers in
evening dress escorted the people to
their seats. Long before the fighters
humanity was banked in front of the
pavilion. There was no lack os en-
thusiasm at any stage of the fight,
and Notwithstanding the long delay be-
fore the event OF the evening" oc-
CURED there was nothing but the great
est good nature prevailing everywhere,
ana there was not the slightest sign
of disturbance. Several preliminary
events preceded the chief event. and it
was very late when Fitzsimfnons and
Sharkey appeared in the ring.
1t was 10 O'Clock when the event Of
the evening was announced. The crowd
cheered and the cheers became a roar
when the gladiators appeared. Fitz-
simmons showed up first and received
an ovation. Sharkey appeared in the
ring shortly after. Both men were
enveloped in long black robes which
they threw off before putting on the
gloves. 1t was then the disparity in
the build of the two men was plainly
seen. Fitzsimufons, lean and long. and
sinewy, looked like a panther. while
Sharkey. stocky and sturdy. with his
immense muscular development, re-
sembled a grizzly bear.
Announcer Jordan announced that
Julian was ready to take any referee
in the house except carp. Then there
was some more consultation, while the
crowd howled "Earp." Julian said that
n san Francisco sporting man had
come to him yesterday and said the
referee intended to give decision
against his man. carp denied the
charge, and Fitzsimmons said he had
given up his referee in all his fights
and would give in to this. Then he
stripped off his black robe and added
that he would insist that Sharkey take
the bandages off his hands. as he had
none on his. Sharkey had on his
gloves, and Paid no attention to Fftz-
simmons demand, but the referee
walked over and examined the
bandages complained of and Sharkey
then removed the Objectionable articles.
HOW THE RATTLE WAS FOUGHT.
And How the Referee Gave the FIGHT t.
sharkey n Foul.
At 1o:S? p. m. the men shook hands
and the first round began:
Round 1.-The men sparred a mo.
ment: Fitzsimmons feinted several
times with left. but Sharkey got away.
Fitz landed lightly right on head.
Sharkey clinched. Sharkey swung left
at Fitz's body, and a moment later
landed hard left swing on Fitzsim.
mons neck. Sharkey landed right and
LETT on Fitzsimmons' head and ducxed
q vicious lett swing. Sharkey tried with
...wIA 60.