Evening star., 1897-02-06
WHO WILL BE- THERE
Spectators at the Coming Corbett-
Fitzsimnbns eight.
HALF OF THEM WILL Be MINERS
There Will Be 7Nol"Funny Busi-
ness" 1oletated.
RIVALRY FOR THE MILL

Talking to a Star reporter about the COM
ing ettFtzsimmons fight. one of the
lest known sporting writer's on the Pacific
coast spoke in ~testingly of the composition
of the crowd that Will witness the mill and
of some of the sights which may be ex-
pected. He said:
Before an audience made up to a great
extent of men who know what is a hard
fight Fitzsinmons and Corbett will battle
in Nevada. While there is still bidding be-
tween the cities of the state as to which
one will secure the prize and fight, it is
more than probable it will go to Carson,
the capital. where accommodations may be
stretched 10 cover the great throng that
such an event will bring to the ringside
'Of the 5000 men who will see the con-
test in all proba ability it is safe to assume
that half the number will be miners. San
Francisco will contribute 900 sports. and
in that number there will be all the high
betters who follow the jumpers for the
racing game has attracted to the Pacific
coast with few exceptions, the cream of
the betting and bookmaking talent. This
was shown in an odd way during the Fitz-
s.mmons-Sharkey contest preparations.
Riley Grammar bought block of seats
clt Sc up and filed them with Sharkey ad-
mirers, as he said. that he might be in the
middle and have a chance to make a dollar
III case any one should get bit excited and
want to back the sailor. He got plenty of
action and was cleaned up right nicely
THE east will surely send out 800 sports
And the middle west. that territory be-
tween the Missouri river and the Rockies
and the northwest will double that number
There will be gold miners and stock brok-
ers from Denver, sheepmen from Boise cat
tlemen from Cheyenne and copper kings
from Butte. From many a ranch and claim
cowpuncher and pick and shovel wielder
Will abandon all thought of savings and
journey to the selected spot to see what
will be his greatest event, a championship
glove fight.
But all these elements in a small way
have been seen at such contests before. In
fact the last big mill was played to such
an audience largely, but never in the his
tory of the ring will there have appeared
such a crowd of wild. untamed miners 1t
Is hundred to one that there would be no
funny business on the part of the referee
even if the man who ofiiciated were one
with record for gun play as long and
broad as that of Wyatt carp or Bat Mas
terson. George Slsr, who win run things.
Is clear-headed, cool and absolutely honest
So while there may be bowling. there will
not be anything else unless some eXcitable
citizen decides to shoot up the whole outfit
lot. and dies trying.
The men who will make up most largely
this crowd of reckless enthusiasts will
come from the Comstocki mines. Gold Hill
will be deser rted. Most OF these men are
Irishmen, the second nationality in point
ol NUMBERS DelnS tNOrniS hmen Between
them there has been a fepd for genera
ton. and many are the tales told of the
methods employed by, workmen of one ma
tionality to be rid Of boss of the other
race. sent up to the,lpines from the bay
by thougbtlesS president or superinten-
dent. But all are sports, and thorough
ones. They know the of their hands.
and many notable fights have taken place
about the mines HaJearier days it was
customary for the miners to celebrate
Saturday layoff with fight or wrestling
match. 1t was always a, friendly affair:
in fact the men who backed such things
would not permit settlements of quarrels
that way. Fights between men where bad
blood existed were usually brought off by
personal friends. and took the form of
duels. But the championship battles. con-
tested to decide superiority as to mine or
camp. Were public contests, and free from
animosity Or personal feeling.
so these thousands. while they may be
rusty as to rules. and not up to date as to
hooks and Knockout blows. will know as
much about the merits of the fight the
loudest check-clad sport from the metrop-
oils. And he will not make trouble unless
there Is too much liquor aboard and he
thinks things are not going to please him.
With the chances favoring Carson.
Reno will doubtless make warm fight for
the big show. Located on the Central Pa
cifc main line, only few miles from the
California border, Reno is the best busi-
ness city in the state. 1t has an accessible
park. where the pavilion could be placed.
and many hotels. But in both respects
Carson would be superior. There is a race
track park within two blocks of the state
capitol building. where amphitheater or
hall would be an adjunct to other buildings
now IN place and ready for use Carson is
reached by short line of road running
south from Reno. and is about two hours
from the Central roads line. The Nevada
Southern. passing through Carson. contin-
ues 2O miles SOUTH and would bring a
large local contingent to the fight.
"Fitzsimmons will likely rule favorite with
the mountain folk. and they bet freely.
Belief Is current west of the Rockies that
Corbett is not the man he was a few years
ago. and has none of his old hitting power
Fitz needs to win. and will surely be in
great condition. The altitude may have
some little effect on the men. and it is
probable that the man who trains longest
in that climate will have the best chance
to last the route