Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-18
THE ARENA.
The Rough Board Structure in which
Was Conducted the Greatest Con-
test of Modern Times.

Carson. March 1.-THE arena in
which the great fight was pulled of IS
situated about one-third of mile from
the main street Of the town. and is
located in the centre Of the race track.
The structure is entirely of undressed
lumber and has no top. Arrangements
were made for a canvass covering in
case of inclement weather. but unless
the snow came down in great force,
and il rarely come down in any other
way in Carson. the men were 10 be COM
PEELED 10 fight practically in the open
air. The arena is twelve sided az
fair. each of the sides being section.
and each section containing about loo
seats. The seats in each section were
divided into three classes, those near
est the ring held at $40; the seats next
above them at 500. and those at the top.
which were not numbered. sold al 50.
All of them were good. although the
view from the cheapest ones was some
what distant and the fine points Of the
fight could not be seen from them.
The ring was raised about four feet
above the floor, and at each corner was
an iron post, which was carefully
bound up in cotton batting to protect
the men in the event of their falling
against it. The floor of the ring was
covered with canvass yesterday. al
though COrbett preferred TO fight on
the bare boards as the canvass, he said,
was likely 10 hinder the foot movements
Of the fighters.
- :
through one gate, and This was the main
gate. which was used for similar pur-
poses when racing is in progress From
the gate 10 the side of the arena stretch
cd a sidewalk of loose planking. which
affords the spectators passage over the
mUd that during the last few days had
been turned into almost Guagmire by
the many people who had been tremp-
ing around the arena TO see how il look
ed. There are four tunnels in the side
Of the building. one each from the
north. east. south and west. About the
entrance TO each one Of these tunnels
was placed last night a large white
cloth bearing in black letters the let
tiers of the sections which could be
reached by the passage way underneath.
-Four stairwayS on the outskirts Of the
building lead up 10 the SO seats.
Big ushers. each armed with a huge
cane. were located at the entrance 10
each passage way. and at the bottom Of
each stairway. and it was hard lines for
the men who attempted TO enter the
arena without The proper credentials
No mercy was shown 10 the buffer. and
he was unCeremOniously hustled off the
grounds In Justice. however. il may
be said that the police arrangements
were excellent. and there was very lit
tIe trouble in getting the spectators 10
their seats. The UShers for the most
part knew their business. and there was
no more difficulty I'm handling the crowd
than there would have been in a metro
pClitan theatre Of much smaller size.
Under the seats az the west end Of the
arena was q small shed about ten by
fifteen feet. which was SET apart for the
use - FitzsimmOns as q dressing room.
The dressing room Of Corhet- Is stu
ated az the south side Of the arena. The
passages by which the men entered the
ring were at right angles 70 each other.
Dressing rooms were 50 located in or
der that there would be no possibility
Of the men or their trainers coming in
contact and causing trouble.