Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-18
TIE NEWS OF THE FIGHT.
Great Interest Manifested in 1t in
Wheeling.

Wl6ellug'
Special Telegraphic Reports Re-
ceived at Several Different Points,
Although Corbett was the Favor
tie in the Betting, Sympathy was
with Fitzsimmons - Excitement
When the News Of the Knockout
was Received.
The big battle is over. 1t was won by
the greatest fighter the world ever knew.
With all the odds against him, Fitzsim-
mons stepped out of his class and wrested
the championship from the c.eyerest boxer
that ever stepped into the ring. 1t was a
great fight. It was anybody's Yictory until
the final round. but science was outclassed
bv strength and endurance Fit=simmons
won his laurels fairly, and every lover oil
the manly art will concede his right TO
the championship in all classes.
The local interest in the big battle was
intense. 1t was general All classes OIL
citizens betrayed a curiosity as 20 the out
come. Special Geographic reports from
the ring-side were announced at seNeral
places. and they were received by eager
pushing. josting throngs. The carry
rounds indicated an advantage Tor Cor
bett. and they were received with some
enthusiasm. but whenever the reports Ia
vored the New Zealander the cheering
was much louder. Corbett was picked as
the probable winner by those who rlsked
their money. but the fact cannot be dis
puted that the sympathy Of Wheeling
lovers of the art was strongly in favor oil
Fitzsimmons.
Manager Feinler, of the Grand Opera
House, showed his enterprise by arrahs-
ing for a special wire TO the stage or the
theatre. The first act of Grimes Cellar
Door" had proceeded for some time when
the clicking of the telegraph instrument
announced that the men had entered the
ring. 1t was one of the largest matineeS
of the season, and there were scores OF
city and county officials, and well known
business men in the audience, who attend
ed for no other purpose than TO hear the
returns. This was demonstrated by the
fact that they left Immediately after the
announcement that Fitzsimmons had been
given the decision. The kilograms We're
read by Manager c. r. Tracy of the
Western Union Company. Each was re-
ceived with cheers, but there was a de-
cided preponderance of sentiment favor
able to Lanky Bob. The Interest in the
fight was contagious. Several ladies OF
the Cellar Door" company caught the
infection. They were evidently "Fitz-
simmons men" When Mr.. Tracy made
the simple announcement, "Fitzsimmons
wins" two of them manifested their de-
light by clapping their hands and exc
cutting a marvelour high kicking speciality
which was not down on the bills. In the
audience men stood up, cheering and wav-
ing their hats. It was like receiving IA
vorable news on an election night.
There was a special wire in Gavin's
White Front saloon. and another in Nc
Laughlin & Co.'S pool room, while bulle-
tins were read at Nell Quinn's and several
other saloons. In each place late Corners
found it impossible to get near enough to
see what was going on. The crowds stood
on the sidewalks The demonstrations
similar
The final news came rather unexpected
~, and at time when the Corbett men
were having their innings. The telegram
told Of the twelfth round. 1t read-"Cor-
bett lands left on Fitzsimmons' sore nose,
and follows with half-round on body;
forces Fitz to the ropes and smashes him
hard in the short ribs-Fitzsimmons wins
The operator was a little behind in his
messages. and when Sler gave the de-
cision TO Fitzsmmons he sent a bulletin.
The effect was CONSERVATION among the
Corbett men and unbounded JOY for the
supporters of Fitzsimmons.
There was less money won and lost in
Wheeling than is usually placed on the
result of a fight between aspirants for
championship honors. Very little even
money was placed. the Fitzsimmons men
demanding odds and the Corbett people
giving them without much argument.
Corbett's partisans had confidence to ped
die. They could not see how Fitz had
an earthly chance" They were some
what disappointed. however, when the
news came that the New Zealander was
succeeding in landing upon his antagon-
list, and during the remainder of the fight
they were rather dubious as to the final
result.
The battle was the one topic Of conversa-
ton during the day. and last night it was
generally discussed. The newspaper Of
fees were besieged. and the Register re-
ceived half dozen kilograms from as many
towns in the interior of the State. asking
for immediate news of the result Last
night there were many inquiries for fuller
returns and answers to disputed points
which developed in controversies. There
was practically no interest and very few
inquiries concerning the results of the
other fights