The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-18
JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE.
A Dozen Ladies' Witnessed the Meeting
of tho GladiatOrs,

A Dozen Ladies' Witnessed the Meeting
of tho Giadiators.
Carson, New, March Is. = John L..
Sullivan appeared early at the pugil-
istic arena. and was greeted with tu-
multuous applause. Soon afterward
BILLY Jordan. the well known old time
master of ceremonies of San Fran
cisco. went into the ring, and announc-
cd that he was there in behalf Of
Frank b. Dunn, of Boston, to chal-
lenge the winner to fight John l.. Sui
livan for IS. 900 a side. There We're loud
cheers for Sullivan, who Jumped into
the ring and said Gentlemen. there
is nothing l can add to Mr.. Jordan's
remark l think there is one more
fight left in me. and l am here for
business"
Then Billy Madden announced that
he had deposited S2,5OO with Warren
Loand of New York, in behalf of Joe
Goddard, to fight the winner. He also
said Tom Sharkey had S25O0 in the
New York Journals hands with the
game object In view.
Shortly after 10 o'clock Fitzsimmons
arrived. and went at once to his dress
ing room. He stood near the stove so
as not to get cold. and cheerfully
chatted with his attendants. Corbett
did not start from his camp as soon as
expected and did not reach his dress
ing room until after Fitzsimmons.
When Governor Sadler, the lighting
governor" of Nevada, entered his box
at the arena there was loud applause,
and when Mrs FitZsmmons took
seat in one of the boxes, escorted by
Houseman. she was greeted with
hearty handclapping. There were quite
@ number of other women in the arena
some of them young and pretty. A
number wore wells. Mrs. Fitzsimmons
displayed the greatest excitement
Throughout the battle. screaming loud
ly to her husband. Kill him. Bob; hit
him IN the wind" At critical points
in the battle she loudly berated Fltz's
seconds.
AT 11:57 a. m. Sier told the men to
ret ready. They said they were all
ready. and Siler told them to come in.
Fitz came from his dressing room in
a blue and pink dressing gown. Julian
led the procession. and the others fol-
lowed. Corbett came a minute later
with his seconds. Both men were duly
cheered. As Fitzsinmons passed his
wife he shook her by the hand and
kissed her
Fitzsimmons climbed into the ring
first, but Corbett was close behind.
Corbett had broad grin on his face,
and shook hands with Sler He tried
the ropes, while Fitz walked up and
down. occasionally glancing at Cor
bett.
Billy Madden at ~ o'clock said:
while the contest for the worlds
championship Is taking place please
keep order, as there are ladies pres
ent."
Siler was announced as referee, and
the official timekeeper was Muldoon.
Seconds for Fitzsimmons, Roeber.
Hickey Julian and Stelzner: time
keeper Louis Houseman. Corbett's
seconds. McVey. Delaney White,
Woods and Donaldson; timekeeper,
Coville.
Fitzsimmons was then introduced
and Corbett next. Corbett got the
loudest applause. Fitzsimmons then
stripped and put on his gloves. light
pea green. Corbett's were tan coIored.
Corbett were o red, white and blue
belt. buckle and rosette, His trunks
were green, and be wore white socks
tolled down over the tops of his shoes.
Fitzsmmons wore dark blue trunks
with small American flags
Sller ordered the men to shake hands.
but Julian prevented 1t by saying:
mo. you refused it once" Then they
walked to their corners. The gong
sounded at 1907. and the great battle