The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-26
CROWD GATHERED EARLY
Long Lines of Men Formed and
Awaited Openi e Of Gates.
(By Associated Press.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, July 25.-1t
was late in the afternoon when the great
canopy covering the octagonal ring In
Wick the battle took place was finally
stretched. The grounds were then cleared
by the police and straGglerS were elected.
Before shutdown long lines of men formed
en- Valencia Street and Julian Avenue
and awaited the opening of the two gates.
There was no disorder until o'clock.
when the crush became heavy, but 240
burly policemen handled the crowd well
The arc lights over the ring were turned
on at 7:45 o'clock. by which time the
bleecheries. holding fully 5000 people, were
filed.
The usual night fog did not prevail and
although the evening air was chilly there
was no discomfort. Kid Egan. represent
ing the champion; Clark Ball, for Fitz-
simmons. and Alex Gregains. for the
San Francisco Athletic Club. inspected the
p1 enises at o'clock and agreed that all
was in readiness for the fight. The gates
we're opened at o'clock and the ticket
holders began to flock in. The gallery
consisted of a series Of tiers, the last one
resting against the improvised back wall,
or high board fence, slopng down to the
g, ound level. The occupants Of these
seats really were afforded the best view CT
all that occurred in the ring.
AT 7:3O O'Clock the gallery was full and
the doors leading to the more favored
sections were opened. and the sections i'm
medately behind the box seats gradually
filled up. A number of we'll known faces
were among the early arrivals. George
Sier occupied a seat in the press row at
the ringside
In one of the boxes TO the west OF the
ringside sat Mayor Eugene Schmitz, in
company with other city officials.
THE RING.
The arrangements CT the arena and con-
struction of the ring were somewhat OF a
departure IN vacant lot on Valencia
Street a high board fence was erected.
In the center OF the space the ring was
built, the floor being four feet from the
ground. On the four sides OF the ring
were arranged the press seats, and i'm.
mediately back of them the boxes. which
,:ere simply spaces partitioped off, with
twerty-four chairs placed in each COM
rartment. These rested on the ground
With the least elevation Back of the
boxes came long rows OF board seats or
benches. all on the same level, with con-
velently arranged aisles-
To the rear and back of the board
fence were placed the gallery benches,
The ring was a OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
affair. Built upon coed foundation OF
solid timbers, the floor was made of a
double thickness Of inch boards. Over
these there was a heavy padding of felt
one inch in thickness, A heavy brown
canvas, drawn tightly and fastened at
the edges, completed a solid and safe ring.
TOM SHARKEY ON HAND.
The lights were suspended from four
upright posts. one at each corner of tho
ring. These uprights sloped gradul.S
towards the center and succession of
cross beams at the top held fourteen arc
lights and over the whole canvas tent
covered the seats as far cut as the gal
lery. seats The ropes of the ring were
the latest thing in that line, consisting
OF heavy. smooth. oneinch cotton rope
One of these, three feet from the floor
and the second eighteen inches above it,
wre guyed from the uprights which held
the lights and tent. There We're no.
sharp corners. Across the canvas We're
placed padded ropes that cut out the
sharp angles. but of full size
Tom Sharkey was early on hand with
a challenge te, the winner. From him
az New York. came telegram addressed
to Tom McGrath, announcing his safe
arrival from London and asking that
McGrath Shy his castor into the ring.
At S:o5 P. NJ the crowd became dense.
The alsles We're congested, and much
confusion ensued This was straightened
ont. he.wever. and when the principals