The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-18
ONLY 5000 PRESENT.
The Attendance at the Fight Was
a Disappointment.

Carson, New, March 1.-THE absence
of rain or snow and Il moderately clear
morning would have satisfied the sports
aud their thanks to the weather deity
Were fervent indeed when they saw the
sun rise in all his aiesty to shine be-
niGnantly throughout one of the most
glorious days ever. experienced in this
locality. Every one was astir by :
O'Clock. Both training quarters were
visited by Il constant stream of vehicles
and those men who were satisfied with
the condition of the men from various
visits stayed around the street corners
discussing the probable outcome.
by S:3O the outer gates of the big
wooden arena were thrown open and those
who were not fortunate enough to possess
tickets for the reserved seats got their
breakfast hurriedly and FASTENED 10 OBJ
tin the most advantageous seats on the
benches The holders of numbered seats
took things more easily and did not start
for the scene of action until about 9:3O.
The battle was advertised for 10 o'clock
hut the special trains from the last and
West did not arrive until long after this
hour, and ii was evident that both Cor
hett and FitZsimmons knew that there
was nc hurry, for they TOOK their time
about reaching the ringside
BY II o'clock the arena was comforta.
bly, filled and nearly all the ticket holders
had taken their seats. The seating ca
pacity OF the arena iSe~tmated AT $1,000,
and the crowd were AL seated and mum
hereI about 1000 people
While the spectators were waiting the
arrival of the principals and their aids,
they put in their time listening To !, SER
les of challenges to the winner.
Billy Jordan challenged on behalf of
t.l., I Ill 1.
pion was greeted with around of applause
when he dolied h- silk hat and clam
bered through che ropes to make the Gus
tomary speech
On behalf of Joe Goddard and Tom
Sharkey, Billy Madden urled deii- ut the
head of prospective champion.
Fitzsmmon- was the first to reach Il e
dressing room which had been selected
for him on the north side of the arena.
Martin Julian and Roebcr led the way
for F.tzsimmons, who was driving by his
wife in neat single buggy. They were
followed by Hickey and Stenzclcr and
the little procession passed through the
crowd without receiving much applause,
and got into their quarters ut lO:il.
Corfett left Shaw Spring in a closed
carriage and was accompanied by White.
Delaney and Judge I.al0r. His brother
2owed in Il stage, rs did ,Iim's two mas.
cots, the colies Ned and l.addic. They
arrived at 1910 ana went at once 10 the
dressing room. Al 1850 Mrs Corhett
left the dressing room and tool, Il seat in
Il box directly behind her husbands cor
ner. There were about "A dozen women
scattered in Iii ilerent boxes.
At 100 a scattering rouud of applause
announced FitZsiiTmons appearance.
He wore il Turkish towcling bath robe Of
blue and white. and was followed by his
seconds.
He had scarcely cot half way to the ing
when Corbett appeared in the aisle at
the opposite side Of the ring He wore IL
dark gray brown striped dressing gown.
Both men reached the platform almost
together but Fitzsimmons was first up
the steps inside the ring. The lanky
Australian stood in his corner moment
and sized up his rival with II peculiarly
cool and critically searching glance.
Then he paced up and down his side OF
the ropes rubbing his LANDS together
with nervous motion. Corbett mp
peared to be very cool land chatted con.