The St. Louis Republic., 1903-08-15

big crowd than has been experienced on
similar occasions. An unusually large force
of police was on hand. distributed on the
OUTSIDE. at Inc doors and throughout tie
pavilion. 4 force of efficient ushers prompt
ly conducted the ticketholders To their
seats.
At o'clock Captain of Police Money en-
tered the ring and mad Billy Jordan an
nOunce that not until every man hcIdin, :,
ticket was seated would the big contest go
on. This announcement was greeted with
cheers and the few who had not already
found their places We're quickly seated.
Two, preliminaries. the first a six-round
draw between Frank Smith of Los Angeles
and Jack Sheridan of San Rafael, and an
other of like length between Jack Evans
and Jerry Fairbanks. kept the big crowd in
tcrested until the hour of 9:l5, the time for
the Dlg men to enter on the scene, had ar
rived
The ring looked large compared with in
closures heretofore in this city. In pur-
suance OF an understanding with the big
nShterS 1t was made the regulation 2f-foot
rms Heretofore N-foot rings have been the
rule
1t was splendidlv constructed affair.
Inc ropes We're stretched inside the posts,
making 1t impossible for injury to result
10 the contestants from contact with the
uprishts. The floor was Il soidly constructed
l9or heavily padded While il was not an
ideal ring for fast footwork, it did not Sc
ri4Gsy lousy impede the speed: Of either. man.
Above the ring, at a heighth of l2 feet
were suspended eight large arc lights shad-
ed in such manner as to throw the creates t
i'sns at stf@iSht a:eidd,, down ,Sd on the men.
belts resort was to /. with considerable
Corbett money in sight.
There was no big betting on the result,
rounds.
The favorite seemed to be even money
that Corbett would stay twelve rounds.
When the first preliminary was end.d all
eyes Were turned toward the entrances OF
the dressing-rooms of the principals of the
big battle The crowd became restive ard
col Ny-i+I l. s.,
the referee and other ring celebrities
At s;l5 the crowd rose en- masse as Cham
pion Jeftrtes walked down the long aisle
ana Vaulted through the ropes. He was
greeted with great cheers. which were
'nade made 10 seem insigEifcaE1 half
minute Thrniie,, later. ,, as Jim Corbett stepped
Jeffries wore black half-length tights, with
a belt made of the American flag. He
wore no bandases. Corbett had on a long
flannel dressing gown. He. too. had no
bandages on his hands. Corbett walked
across to Jetfries and shook him cordially
by the hand. Bob fftzsimmons, wearing
neSilgee shirt, strolled about the ring with
out causing ripple Corbett was intro
duced first and received a great ovation.
Jeffries was equally well received a moment
later, VIXEN he was introduced as the cham
pion of the world. The seconds: For JEFF
fries-l3ob fitzsimmons. Jack Jeffries, Joe
Tommy Ryan, Sam Berger. Yank Kenny
and Pop Dare.
messages We're read from Jack Monroe
and Jack johnson. challenging the winner.
Eddie Graney, the referee. was immacu-
late in a tuxedo and patent feathers.
Corbett then proceeded to have his hands
wrapped with soft bandages. but it was re-
marked that Jeffries did not follow suit.
Jeffrtes walked over and examined Cor
belts bandages at the suggestion of Fitz-
simmons. The two Jims argued good
naturedly over the material used, Corbett
taking a piece and showing il was Eoft
and pliable. Jeffries nodded assent and
walked back to his corner.
Corbett removed his bathrobe and dis
closed simple black loin supporter. ~.
Jeffries took the southeast and Corhett
the northwest corner. AS they were donning
the gloves they presented a striking con-
trast of form. Jeffries. bis- muscular. stolid
and dark as an Indian, was a striking con-
trast with the 1.-THE. .trim-built Corhett.
with flesh as smooth and firm as parian
marble. Corbett seemed a trifie pale, but
entirely sef-composed
Tommy Ryan leaned over the ropes and
remarked to a friend that Jeffries was as
soft as mush. and would certainly lose his
title
The msn then lined up for photograph
/ in lighting attitude.
The prehminaries and ceremonies We're
then over. Jeffries removed the American
flag from his waist and Billy Delaney put
it in his pocket. Jeffries listened to Fi;z-
simmons's advice. while Tommy Ryan
filled similar role in Corbett's corner.