The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-10

a walk: there Jeffries was a sure victor.
The newsboys shouted late extras that told
all about 1t and fakirs offered the latest
pictures OF the two giants who were TO
fight Through IL all there was very little
betting. There was plenty OF money ready
on both Sides bat nobody liked the odds.
The Jeffries people wanted for for their
collateral and the Fitzsimmons people were
slow to give it.
The great house filed very slowly. and
it was after 9 O'Clock before the police had
10 bestir themselves and clear the aisles.
Time seemed TO drag and the absence Of any
preliminary contest gave the crowd fight
appetite. They began calling for the per-
formance al $50 and at 9:45 were demon
strative. Jeffries was the first Of the prin-
cipals TO appear. He came through the
main entrance and walked the length OF the
hall at $40 10 an accompaniment OF cheers,
while FitZsimmons, who was accompanied
by his Spartanlike wife. gained the building
and dressing room by rear door. The dis
agreement as to the condition OF clinches
ana breaks was discussed and settled out
side OF the ring and there was but little
delay when the terms were agreed upon
HOW THEY LOOKED AT THE START.
Fitzsimmons's entry into the ring at 1o:o5
O'Clock was made the occasion Of rather
theatrical demonstration. Julian was first
and then came the fighter. The seconds
were next in line, and then came two men
bearing a great floral piece that was al
most funereal in appearance. 1t was in
scribed. Good luck to the champion" but
the flowers are wilted row. Fitzsimmons
bowed tremendously TO it. Jeffries was
next in the arena, and, like his opponent,
got a demonstrative reception. Fitzsim-
mons looked lanky and thin, but his skin
was clear, his eye bright and his step
elastic. He made a great display Of Ameri-
can flags at his waist. Jeffries looked
sturdy and massive, and seemed a little
nervous. He got the worst of the assign
ment of corners, for the great lights shone
into his face and he blinked at them in a
nervous sort of way. Sier. too. looked col
orless and i'll at ease
There was no trying delay in the ring and
the big gong sounded out just as soon as
the men had been presented and gloved
When they squared off Jeffries looked fifty
pounds to the good. The opening round was
a try out pure and simple, and not a single
blow of any effective nature was landed
First one was the pacemaker and then the
other essayed the pressing. They were al
recompensed the crowd for the delay or ex-
citement. The second round began in
businesslike way with Jeffries trying his
left. Fitzsimmons then took turn, but was
short. Just as the round closed Jeffries
downed Fitzsimmons with hard straight
left on the jaw. The champion came up
slowly in dazed sort of way and reeled
toward his man. The crowd cheered Jeffries,
but the gong ended the round. Fitzsimmons
ralliedsin the rest and was aggressive again
in the third. Fitzsimmons was bleeding, but
fighting viciously. He made the pace. but
It was the Californan's round. The fourth
was fast, but not decisive.
Fitzsmmons made his best showing in the
fifth. He began the round with a punch
that opened Jeffries's left eye and sent a
little torrent of blood coursing down his
cheek. He forced Jeffries against the ropes,
but the Californian slipped away from him.
He made Jeffries hug again, but when the
round ended Jeffries was back and fighting.
Fitzsimmons was the aggressor in the sixth,
and that, too was his round. He tried all
his tricks with left and right. but was un-
able to place them right. He closed with a
strong right upper cut but that, too. was
blocked The seventh might be said to have
been Fitzsimmons's, but he did no particu-
lar damage with his punches.
BEGINNING OF THE END.
The eighth saw the beginning of the end,
for Fitzsimmons never regained his balance
after that round. Jeffries began the round
with straight left on the face that again
brought the blood out of his opponents
mouth. The Cornishman staggered against
the ropes but came back for another facer.
There was fear in Fitzsmmonss corner and
Julian yelled to Fitzsimmons to be careful.
Fitzsmmons planted one of his lefts on
Jefrries's jaw and staggered him against the
ropes. Fitzsimmons looked like a beaten
man. The ninth was all Jeffries's. He sent
the Australians head back with a series of
lefts. put his right on the body and avoided
any serious punishment. Fitzsimmons kept
pressing forward all the time. however, but
was unable to find his opponent.
The tenth in reality was where the fight
ended Jeffries rushed his opponent and
downed him with left swing. Fitzsimmons
seemed out and there was moment OF the
widest excitement. Julian ran along the
side OF the ring and sprinkled water on his
fallen idol. AT the end Of seven seconds
Fitzsimmons staggered to his feet only to
go down again. He was up again and JEFF
fries poised himself for the finish. He shot
MS leIt 10 tne DOuy ana trleQ Tor the nedQ
with his right. He was calm and collected,
but the time was too short. Again did the
gong come to the aid of the man who was
then going. staggering and dazed. to certain
defeat. There was a frantic effort to revive
the champion OF champions but ne was
cleanly gone and his seconds could not re-
store him.
The fate-like gong changed again and the
old fighter wabbled out TO meet the sturdy
young Hercules who awaited him. 1t was as
courageous and gritty as a dash up TO the
firing line in battle, but it was hopeless.
They were together. 1t was a splendid
moment and full of all that dramatic inten-
sity that characterizes a tragedy. Jeffries
was as fresh as at the start. There was a
moment OF sparring and the giant arms OF
the Californian shot through the air. 1t
was left and right, and over. Fftzsimmons.
limp and unconscious. dropped to the floor.
Jeffries stepped back for he knew the force
that he had put behind his terrible blows.
counted out an old ring hero. heralGed an
other. but nobody heard them. The crowd
was on its feet howling. There was a rush
for the ring. but scores OF blue coats barred
the way. Ten seconds are short, and when
the tenth had come there was a new roar
of excitement TO welcome the victor. Julian,
Hickey. Kenney and Everhardt gathered up
the PROSTATE man He was still in a trance.
They carried him to his corner and little