The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-11-16
CROWD OF EXCITED PERSONS SAW FIGHT.
Police Compelled Many Building Wonld
Not Contain All Who Camored for Admission Dis
tinguished Men in the Assembly.

! S,n Francisco. Nov. l5.-Before an assem-
| blage cf lOco people at the Mechanics Pa
| yilicn. which has been the scene Of many
| a bitter and important struggle in the past.
James J. Jefrries Of Los Angeles, Cal, met
Gus Rubin. the Akron giant tonight and
! fought for the title he has held since his
memorable battle with Fitzsimmons.
Early in the afternoon, a long line OF anx-
ious men assembled at the Larkin side OF
! the pavilion. and held the weary vigil in a
dri7zling rain until nightfalI, when the sale
Of gallery seats was opened.
Never in the history of San Francisco has
there been such crush Of humanity at
pugilistic event.
Hardly had the sun dragged itself be-
meath the hills toward the ocean before the
great pavilion began 10 fill with the
Unused crowd gathered TO watch the cham
pionship contest. Thousands poured into
the gallery when the doors were finally
opened. and Ions before the first prelim-
mary was called the upper portion of the
pavilion was black with spectators.
STATE OFFICIALS OCCUPIED
HIGH-PRICED SEATS.
People coming from points between Van
couver and Mexico. embracing well-known
State officials. members OF the judiciary
anu prominent sporting people. early loon
possession of the high-prlced seats.
At S:l5 o'clock a stir in the east end of
the pavilion indicated that one of the prin-
cipals had arrived, and was proceeding to
his dressing-room. The word was soon
passed that Rubin. the Akron giant, had
reached the scene OF the pending conflict
from Blankens six-Mile House. and an up
roar ensued.
Ruhlin n lraS si,
accompanied by Billy Madden. Denver
Ed Martin, Charlie Gon and Young"
Gibbs who later appeared in mis- corner
when the fight was called.
A rumor emenating from Oakland reached
the crowd early in the evening to the effect
that Jeffries had suffered an injury to one
OF his hands before starting for San Fran
cisco, but popular sentiment condemned the
story as canard. and the betting was not
affected by the incident
NJ. II. De Young. the millionaire editor.
Mayor James d. Phelan Mayor-elect
Schmitz. and almost the entire bench of
the county of San Francisco was early at
the ringside. Billy Jordan. the veteran an
hoGncer, was early on the scene.
When the prsliminaries were announced
and the first fight brought on. the assem-
bled thousands betrayed in some part the
feelings and cheersd vociferously. although
the curtain-raisers We're unimportant
Jeffries. accompanied by Billy Delaney.
Bob Armstrong, kid" Eagan, his brother. |
Jack, and Dewitt Vancort. left the Oakland |
sice of the bay on the 7:30 train. reaching
San Francisco shortly after S O'Clock.
The champion entered the building while !
the first preliminary was in progress, andsl
as Captain Whitman-in charge of the police !
detail-cleared the way. proceeded to his |
dressing-roonl, while the throng that en-
tered the building made demonstration.
In great impatience the crowd waited for !
the appearance of the twD gladiators taking |
but a passing interest in the eight-rounG |
bout between Billy Condor and Mike Curtin. |
and in the encounter between Joe Fields |
and Spider Joe Welch The second pre- |
liminary between Fields and Welch-an ,
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