Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-26

smooth one-inch cotton rope. Two of
these, the first three feet from ths floor
and the second eighteen inches above Il,
were guyed from the four uprights which
held the lights and tent. There we're no
sharp corners. Across the canvas there
we're placed short padded ropes, that cut
out the sharp angles, but still left the
ring a full-sized affair.
The wind came sweeping through a big
ffteen-foot rent in the canvas that COW
cred the ring. Clark Ball, who looks after
Fitzsimmons' interests, can in, looked at
the big rent and the resulting drausht and
Immediately looked up Alex Greggains to
make a kick"
sharkey Ready with Challenge.
Tom sharkey was early on hand with a
! challenge to the winner. From New York
came a telegram addressed to Tim Nc
Grath, announcing his safe arrival from
London and asking that McGrath shy his
castor into the ring.
At s:15 the crowd became dense. The
aisles were congested and much confusion
in seating ticket-holders ensued. These
things were soon Strengthened out, how
ever, and when the principals Of the pre-
liminary fight came on there was hardly
a vacant place in all the $500 seats pro-
vided. n.
At $40 p. m. Fits arrived in a carriage
at the entrance on Valencia street. He
was cheered by the crowd that stood at
the entrance. Fitzsimmons went imme-
diately to his dressing tent at the right Of
the main entrance and proceeded to dress.
He was accompanied by his manager,
Clark Ball, Hank Grinin. the colored pu-
gilist, and one or two friends. The ex-
champion declared he never felt better
and was confident he would be returned
winner. He was in a cheerful frame OF
mind and inquired about the crowd in
attendance and other matters incident to
the fight.
About ten minutes later Jeffries drove
up and got out OF his carriage, followed by
his trainer, Billy Delaney; Joe Beck, his
sparring partner. and. Ed Egan, his secre-
tary. The crowd set up a terrific roar at
the sight OF the big fellow. to which he
responded with a wave OF the hand. Pro-
l~ceeding to his dressing tent, Jeffries inn
mediately got ready to don his ring cos
tune. He was not in a talkative mood. but
appeared calm and confident. He inquired
about the attendance and expressed salts
faction when told that the place was
jammed.
Little Betting at Rlnsside.
There was SO little ringside betting that
II was hardly appreciable. The odds we're
about the same that have prevailed the
last few days. 10 to 4.
At S:45 the only preliminary fight was
put on. 1t was a twenty-round AFFAIR be-
tween two local middleweights, Dave Barry
and Harry Foley.
There were a few heavily yelled women
noticeable among those seated IT. the boxes.
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crowd without demonstration OF disap-
proval. as is usual in such cases.
The good order and absence Of any sort
Of confusion among the crowd was remark
able. By 9 o'clock all the ticket holders
were in their allotted spaces and not q
vacant seat was visible from the ring.
The big audience presented an unusual
spectacle. Banked up against the walls on
AIN sides there was a solid dark mass. slop-
ing down to a level with those In the boxes
and other high priced seats. Scattered about
the many aisles stood numerous policemen,
but they had nothing to do. as the usherz
had mastered the details of the seating
arrangements and conducted the ticket
holders to their places without confusion.
Outside the big enclosure the wine blew q
gale, but the temperature within was quite
comfortable. The lights from the fourteen
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suficient light for the fighters as well as
the audience. These were the only lights
within the enclosure.
When asked in his dressing room as to
his weight. Fitzsimmons replied: "oh,
about 15s or leO." He added that when he
fought Jenries at coney Island he weighed
15s pounds. AS Fitxsimmons has moi
weighed in the presence OF any outsider
recently. his exact weight Is problematieal
Jefries. according to Delaney. this after,
noon weighed 2lb pounds. The figures NIGH
BE- stated at about III pounds at the ring.
side.
FOLEY o Dat Barry.
The preliminary night was ended at s:sI
p. m. by Foley knocking out Barry In th'
eleventh. Immediately the crowd became
impatient and there was q good deal o
stirring about ana visiting among the vel
known characters at the rlngside. The ap-
pearanee Of about a dozen women in on
party caused q momentary furry. The
took seats in a box directly back Of tn
press row.
The makeup OF tie crowd Was unusual