Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-11-18

hnally open and long before the frs,
preliminary was called the upper Dor
tion of the pavilion was black with
Spectators, people coming from all
points between Vancouver and Nexico
and embracing well-known state otri
ciais. members of the judiciary and
prominent sporting men. took posses
sion of the high priced seats early.
At SID o clock. a stir at the east end
OF the pavilion indicated that one of
the principals had arrived and was
proceeding to his dressing room. The
word was soon passed that Gus Rub
I'M, the Akron Giant" had reached
the scene of combat and an uproar en-
sued. Ruhlin went at once to his
dressing room. accompanied by Billy
Madden. Denver Ed Martin. Charlie
GoiI and Young Gibbs. who later ap-
peared in his corner when the fight
was called.
A fumor emanating from Oakland
Selzeo the crowd early in the evening
10 the effect that Jeffries had suffered
an INJURY to one of his hands before
starting for San Francisco. but popu-
idf sentiment condemned the story AS
a canard and the betting at the ring
side was not affected by the incident
Nj. ii. DelounS, Mayor James D..
Phelan. Mayor elect SchmitZ and al
most the entire bench of the county of
san Francisco was early at the ring
side. Billy Jordan. the veteran an
nouncer. was early on the scene When
the rreliminaries We're announced and
the first fight was brought on. the as
semhled thousands betrayed in some
part the extent of their excitement and
WrouSht-up feelings and checred vo-
ciferously. although the curtain raiSers
were unlmportant
Jeffries, accompanied by Billy De-
laney. Bob Armstrong. Kid F,agan. his
brother Jack and Dewitt Nancourt.
left Oakland Bay on the 80 train.
reaching san Francisco shortly after
o'clock. The champion entered the
building while the first preliminary
was in progress. and as Capt Whit
man. in charge Of the police detail.
cleared the way. proceeded to his dress
ing room. while the throng that en-
tered the building made a demOnstra-
tion.
The betting ut the ringsidc steadiec
down just before the big struggle. The
ODDS We're to | although there wrr.
hIrstS of enthusiasm from either sid" il
which longer odds We're offered. Ed Kcl-
ly. the Chicago bookmakcr. had 500
which he sought to place at 10 Ia 4. o.
this sum Sl.1 was covered by the Ruh
liniteS \ miner named Bell. Just arrived
from the klondike, waSered $500 at tn,
same odds. Aside from this IN" betting
! was commonplace.
| In great impatience the crowd waiteC
! for the appearance of the two gladiators
taking but a passive interest i'll the :
round bout brtween Eilly Cpndon ana
! Mike Curtain. and in the encounter be
tween Joe Fields and spider. Welcn
Tire second preliminary between Fields
and WelCh. AN $-rOdud affair. WAS an
nouuced The first preliminary WAS de-
| Clared a draw.
The police took some spectators frCn
! the gallery. il being mach oVcr-crowdcd
AT . o'clock people Were turned away
at the doors and probably the creates
| aSsemDIagt of pcopl" ever gathered tC
witness a prize fight was packed within
| When the second preliminary had beer
contlu AIDED. resulting in victory tpl
! Spider Joe Wclch over .Io" Fields il
| faur rounds a corps of workmen pouuce,
| in,o the ring. scaling ladders ami talk
ing other positions about the myriad .
| electric lights ranged along the border p
! a great canopy above.
The. operator AT the kinetusCopo MA
| chine adjusted his instruments and ;
! flash of Eight through the arrAN of lamps
| proclaimed that an was in readiness a:
; far as the company was concerned. y
! moment later a burst Of light Of 23G,G0t
! candle power iilumined the pavilion IN,
| came to further enthu~e The great hos
of spectators as An immcdfktc force raa
uer of the championship struggle.
| GeorE,. Harting. official timekceper o.
I the Tenth Century club. took his position
| To the south side of the ring with Phi
Wand timekeepcr for Rubin. closely fol
| lowing
| 1t 9.2S 2. NJ. Jeffries entered the ring
! shading his eyes. After him cam" hi'
| trainer Billy Delaney. kid F.aadn. Bor
| Armstrong and Brother Jack. iiarrl
| Corbett referee. then stepped into tht
ring Al go +. NJ. Gus Ruhin cnteret
! the ring followed by his seconds. They
! tossed for corners and Rubin won. TAX
| ing the southwest corner Of the ring.
| The extreme heat from the powerful
electric light over the ring made itself
| felt from the very beginning bat was no.
as intense as that which hampered the
| Sharkey- -Jeffries fight Two minutes aftc.
| the men entered the ring they Were an
| nounced by Billy Jordan. who then pre-
| scented Referee Harry Corbett. DeIfeninl
| cheers greeted the big ngnters nu, an IL
! Stant later when Il police captain entered
| The ring to cXamin" the gloves Sroans
| and hsseS filled the vast audience.
Jeffries. in Il tlarinS rec sweater an,
| chewing gum in violent impatiencc, sal
demurely in his corner. while Rubin
| talked earnestly with Denver Ed Martin
| ON behalf Of Tom Sharkey. Tim Me