San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-03-18
THE BIG FIGHT.
How 1t Was Watched In
San Antonio.
EVERYBODY SUSPENDED BUSI-
NESS TO GET THE NEWS
OF THE CONTEST.
Turf Exchange Rooms Presented a
Lively Scene COrtett'S Friends
We're in the Majority Al
though the Australian
Had Plenty.

plaza yesterday Operator Dan Breen
was the master of ceremonies. His
word was final, and as he interpreted
the meanings of the ticks as they
flashed across the wires, direct from
the ringside, the crowd stood in una.
bated silence to catch the words as
they fell from his lips. Fully 1000
people were i'll the pool room to get
the news of one of the greatest bat
ties of Eistiana. The crowd began
to assemble at noon, and continued
to swell, when, an hour later, men
were standing shoulder to shoulder,
and thick beads of perspiration roll
ing down their faces. There was lit
tie or no ventilation to the large room,
excepting a little transOm in the roof,
through which a breath of fresh air
would occasionally find its way. At
times the air was sitting, but this did
not seem TO offend anyone, as every
body was eager for the news. There
were lawyers and gamblers, doctors
and bootblacks, undertakers, bank
officials and hOboes, all anxious to
hear the news from the ringside.
1t had been generally reported that
the fight would take place at 10 a. M,
at Carson City, which would mean y
IN. in San Antonio. Bulletins were re-
ceived every few minutes, annOunc-
ing challenges from Sullivan, Sharkey
and Goddard at the ringside to the
winner. All the details of the prelim-
inarieS came over the wires and were
read in n loud voice by Dan Breen.
Then came the following: "One-eyed
Connolly is in the crowd. He is call
ed on for n speech. Connolly Zig-ZagS
his way through the masses and says
he will challenge the winner. COnnel-
ly is now on his way to the city Gala
bOOse." This was intended to humOr
the crowd and served the purpose,
for there was an outburst of laugh
ter. When John L. Sullivan's- name
was announced from the wires there
were loud cheers, which showed that
the famous eX-champiOn has lost
none of his popularity. John L. is
called upon for a speech, but the big
fellow, who is in the rear, with his
shining tile, cOmplacently putting
a Carson cheroOt, says he has spoken"
was the next bulletin. Another bulletin
the presence of 1000 peo-
pie in the arena, and another special
train coming, which would arrive in
ten minutes. Governor Saddler en-
ters his box, near the ring, and is re-
ceived with loud cheers" was the
next bulletin. That's the kind of
governor we ought to have" was
heard all over the pool room. Then
followed the announcement that Cor
bett and Fitzsimmons were preparing
for the ring. Fitz was the first to
appear and was greeted with cheers.
COrbett followed and there was an
other outburSt. Billy Delaney had
won the toss for position and selected |
the corner with the sun to COrbett'S |
back, while old sol was in the Austria |
ian'S face. While Referee Siler was
the gloves, Fitz walked |
around in his corner and chatted with |
MS seconds, while Corbett danced a |
liz and looked happy.
All these bits of information put |
San Antonio in closer touch with Car
ION City, but the people wanted to
ret nearer to the ring. They wanted
o hear from the fight. The time had
,ome. the men were in their corners.
waiting for the referees orders. The
title telegraph instrument was busily
licking, and the multitude patiently
Big Dan Breen's movements.
lie raped for order and read, "Fitz
efuses to shake hands with Corbett"
The fight was on and what followed
vas published in yesterdays Light.
1t is evident that the Corbett people
we're in the majority, for whenever n
,ulletin was received Announcing |
God blow for Jim, a mighty howl
vent up. especially when the Ameri-
an brought forth the claret from the
australians nose. There were also
1any FitZsimmons supporters present
nd they were equally as enthusiastic
4 their demonstrations. The last bull
tin read: "COrbett is On HE knees.
NE referee counts one. two, three,
our. Eve. six. seven. eight, nine. ten.
'orbett is his feet, and rushes at