The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-18

crooks, who, like the beasts of prey,
follow every crowd, seeking whom they
may devour
There were a few women interspersed
among the multitude, attended by
fathers or husbands or brothers. The
boxes, which We're little pens with
chairs, near the platform, in which the
price of a seat was $40, were partially
occupied by men in the garb of cities
with Van Dkye boards and the aspect
of opulence, culture and refinement.
1t had been bruited abroad that the
event would occur at 10 o'clock but
there was the customary delay for be
lated trains, for the kinetoScOpe or some
reason not disclosed, and it was nearly
noon before the time the gladiators en-
tered the building. During the interval
the audience was good humored and
patient. Noted arrivals were greeted
with applause. and Delegates Sullivan,
Sharkey and "One-eyed" Connolly
made addresses from the platform upon
the issues of the day.
The entrance of FitzsimmOnS and
COrbett in grOtesque bathrobes, bare
headed, with attendants bearing red
fans, bundles of cloths ana sponges,
buckets and bottles, was like the open
ing procession in one of Gilbert and
Sullivans operas.
1t may as. well be said here as else
where that the ~entire performance,
with the single exception of the Incl
dent mentioned hereafter, lacked ear
nestness and sincerity and left the
impression of a duel on the stage.
The convention was called to order
by the national chairman, who an
nOunced the names of the referee time
keepers and other officials and present
ed them to the audience, which received
them with applause.
COrbett'S cOuntenance was dark and
drawn, lined deeply with the burrows
of care and concern. He posed obvi-
Ously and smiled complacently.
freak, with a silly, open-mOuthed grin,
and an uncouth, awkward, Shambling
gait. like a clown.
The appearance of the two men when
their robes were thrown off and they
were stripped for the ring was grotes-
que, for, with the exception of a small
breech cloth, they were naked to their
ankles, where their stockings were roll
ed loosely down over the tops of their
thin. fatsOled shoes. Laced to their
wrists were stuffed gloves that prevent
ed cutting or mutilation.
According to the precedent of Queens
berry, three minutes for Sparring and
one for rest was a round. The blows
fell muffied and the contestants seemed
to be on good terms and frequently
smiled, even in the most violent en-
counter. When the gong was struck
by the tmekeepeT they promptly retir-
ed to their respective corners. sat down
in their chairs and were diligently fan
ned. rubbed, sponged and wiped by the
men in red sweaters, as groomS care for
horse. The men seemed to be fati-
gued early. perspired profusely and
breathed with their mouths open.
During some of the rounds Corbett
hit Fitzsimmons on the face, making
him look like a great school boy. and
gazed around with a smile like Banquo
at the banquet of Macbeth. And SO it
went on for nearly an hour. the audi
ence sitting quietly as at a theat ter or in
a circus, or at a ball game, with occa-
sional cries of applause at some agile
movement or some resounding blow
And then, without warming the most
surprising, unexpected and inexplica bic
event occurred-the first, the last and
the only dramatic incident of the occa-
sion, like the catastrophe or tragedy
that falls before the climax has been
reached.
The auditors has grown a trifle list
less Bets were still offered at 100 to
70 on COrbett. He was not marked by
the attacks of his adversary, whom he
seemed to touch almost at will But it
was observed that his blows had little
effect upon the tough, obdurate trunk
of Fftzsimmons. They lacked steam
and force. The early predictions of a
short sharp and decisive battle by the