The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-28
THE CARSON CITY FIGHT
As it Appeared by Means of the Veri-
scope at CraWford's Last Night.


There a number of people in town
today who tell you just how Fitz-
simmons knocked out Corbett at Carson
City the 18th of last March. They
are also a number who can tell you just
how Corbett should have knocked Fitz-
simmons out, but didn't.
They are the people who attended the
veriscope exhibition of the Corbett-Fitz-
simmons fight at the Crawford theater
last night, and some of them are the la
dies who said "Ohr' and s'Gracious!'
when either of the pictures on the screen
would receive particularly vicious blow
from his opponent.
The realism of the exhibition was ma
terially added to by man at the ma
chine striking a gong and calling time
just at the proper moment, the pictures
on the screen responding to the call by
jumping from their seats and advancing
in the ring, but the excitement which
. has characterized the exhibition of the
pictures in other cities was lacking here
last night. In the first place the au-
dfence was not large enough to get up a
first class ripple of excitement, and in
the second place it apparently didn't want
to.
When thirteen rounds had been COM
pleted and the pictures of the fourteenth
round were about to be thrown on the
a position on the stage and explained the
important points of each round announced
that the knockout blow would be deliver
ed a little to the left of the central post
of the ring. The gong sounded, time
was called, the pictures were instantly
flashed on the screen and the last round
was on.
Then for the first time was especial at
tention noticeable among the audience.
41,.o
their heads forward, and one young lady
even went SO far as to rise half way
from her seat. The occupants of the first
row of seats on the second floor leaned
far over the balcony ba1ustrade, and the
tin sports in the gallery riveted their eyes
on the moving figures on the screen and
forgot their customary contribution of
noise.
All saw the two men spar for an OPEN
ing and saw the opening gained by F'itz-
simmons and a heavy blow planted on
Corbett's face. Over to the right side of
the ring they went, closed and in a mo-
ment broke and moved towards the CEN
trail post of the ring.
Watch Closely sang out the young
man. and instant afterward came the
announcement 1.-THE Knockout blow
The two men were then in a position a
little to the left of the central post of the
| ring, Corbett facing the audience and a
step to the left of F'itzsimmons, whose
back was turned. Those in the audience
saw the right arm of Fitzsimmons spring
back and dive in towards Corbett's brea@
and then the form of the big fighter
facing the audience wavered for mo-
| ment and slowly sank to the floor.
A small audience saw a fair entertain-
ment of vaudeville at the Grand Opera
| House last night. Girard's Vaudeville
company made its first bow to a Topeka
audience and opened an engagement of
three nights.
The first part of the progra mme appar-
emily gave satisfaction, but the latter
part had little satisfaction or anything
else in it. For this reason it is pleasing
to note that the company announces a
change of programme for each evening.
The musical numbers in the first por-
ton of the programme were good, and
the entertainers were repeatedly recalled.
1.-The Way of the World a comedy
sketch by Zoa Matthews and Will Whee-
Ter, was a creditable piece of work, and
| the work of Hattie Wallace and Mae La
Verne made a hit with the audience.
The company will be at the Grand to-
night and tomorrow night. The prices
| are u.s. so, So and % cents.
Commencing today and continuing fort he
rest of the week a matinee exhibition of
the bett-Fitzsimmons fight will be
given. The exhibition will also be given
each evening. The prices 81, IS, 80
and % cents.