Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-09
THE BIG FIGHT
Will Be the Attraction at
Coney Island, Tonight.
Both Men Cease Training and Show
Up in Splendid Form.
Little Fear that Police will Stop Fiahi n
a Trifle Warm

New York, June 8.-Everything is in
readiness for the big fight. tomorrow
night, between Bob Fitzsmmons and
Jim Jeffries and with the possible ex-
ception Of police Interference or an m
looked for accident to either one Of the
principals, the bout will take place as
scheduled in the arena Of the Coney
| Island Athletic Club
| The statements emanating from DO
| Chief of Police Devery intends 10 stop
| the bout in case hard blows are ex-
! changed or a knock down occurs
While taken seriously by a large num-
| per OF sporting men, are not treated
| with any amount of apprehension by
| those most interested and outsiderse
| who have keen knowledge of the in
side Of affairs. The pugilists them
selves claim that they are too much en-
crossed in their preparations for the
event to take any stock in the reports
of intended Interference and Managers
Brady and Julian seem to be confident
that the contest will be permitted to
take decision without any untoward
incident so far as the legal authorities
are concerned.
FitZsimmons is still a firm favorite
in the betting but there is still plenty
of Jeffries money in sight and while no
large wagers have as yet been record
er there is no doubt that with growing
confidence in the ability of the pro-
motors to pull off the mill successfully
the betting will assume larger proper
tons by tomorrow.
Carpenters were a work in the big
club house by the seaside, all day to-
day and late tonight, and every detail
in arranging for the comfortable seat
ing of the expected throng of specta-
tors has been closely attended to by the
management.
Everything was practically at a
standstill, today, at the training quarters
Of both pugilsts. Both men did very
light work. Jeffries punched the bag
for a few minutes and after brief bit
Of practice with the medicine ball,
skipped the rope a couple of hundred
times. Quite a large number of WISH
tors called on the Californian and wish
ed him success. During the day JEFF
fries was the recipient of a number Of
kilograms from different parts of the
United States extending congratula-
tons, as well as encouraging the big
fellow with hopes of victory in his bid
Tor championship hOnOrS.
George Siler Of Chicago, who is to
referee the contest, was one Of the
most noted visitors at the cottage by
the sea shore, today. Referee Sler was
accompanied by his wife. who told JEFF
fries that she had a new bonnet on his
chances. When asked with whom she
had made the bet She laughed and said:
with a dear friend Of mine, who will
pay for the bonnet in case Jeffries
wins"
Mr.. Siler said his visit was simply a
social one, but in conversation with
Jeffries and Trainer Billy Delany he
said that FitZsimmons had agreed to a
clean break. Delany claimed that a
clean break means a good deal to Fitz-
simmons and showed that Bob is afraid
of Jeffries' driving machinery. Some
of the experts Of the Loeb Arbor cot
tage claim that Bob will endeavor to
make it q long drawn out battle,
Jefferes and his trainer, Billy De-
lany, and his sparring partners. Jim
DAILY, Tommy Ryan, Jack Jefferies and
Marty McCue will leave Allenhurst, n.
j.. shortly after o'clock tomorrow
over the Pennsylvania Rail
road by the train which is due at Cort-
landt Street ferry at about IL o'clock.
They will be met in this city by w. A..
Brady and other friends and driven to
a Coney Island hotel. 1t is under
stood that conference will take place
between Brady, Julian. the two prln-
cipals and Referee Siler, some time to-
morrow afternoon, at which the rules
governing the contest will be discussed.
Jeffries was in the best of humor. to-
night. before retiring. He seemed to be
n good spirits, showing no nervousness
whatever. and freely conversed with
hose around him in reference to the pos
;ible outcome Of the bout. All the MEM
lers of the Jeffries party. including the
Dig fellow himself, seem confident of the
victory and none of them
ooks for the battle to last over 10 rounds,
FitZsimmonS took a short walk during
he forenoon but took no further exercise.
Late in the afternoon. he drove to the
'oney Island club house, accompanied by
Tank kenney. Jack Everhardt Dan
Hickey, Martin Julian and Kid Mccoy,
BY the time the party reached the club
house they We're surrounded by a crowd
# several hundred persons. none OF whom
vas permitted to follow the champion
nd his companions into the big building.
As soon as FitZsimmons reached his
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