The San Francisco call., 1904-12-21
Prominent Men
Among Those
Present.
ThOuSdndSChGGP
Courageous
Victor.

Fully ten thousand people crowded
Mechanics Pavilion last evening to see
Jimmy Britt and Battling" Nelson
batter each other for a percentage of
the gate receipts and the glory Half
a dozen women braved the eyes of the
curious and watched the thrilling con-
test. Hidden behind the glazed win
d0ws at least twenty-five more of the
fair sex gazed at the animated scene
and gained a long distance view of the
men in action. 1t was a splendid crowd
and its actions were as interesting as
the contest itself. Professional men
brushed elbows with mechanics. Race
horse men, fighters and politicians hob
nobbed in true American fashion. The
merits Of the boxers were discussed
with freedom and when the battle was
on the excitement was intense. When
ever an extra heavy blow was landed
a yell was forthcoming, and when 4
lively mixup occurred the majority
stood on their chairs and yelled like
Indians.
The doors were opened at O'Clock to
accommodate those who had gallery
seats. The line had formed in the
afternoon and when the doors were
thrown open il wound its way around
the immense structure like a big snake
The main entrance was thrown open at
1.30 o'clock and from then until the
men entered the arena a stream of hu-
manity poured through the doors.
Burlingame sent Walter Hobart.
the Tobins and other polo PLAYERS.
who occupied ringside seats. while
~Bogie" O'Donnell, Plum Pudding
Tommy" Red" Sammy McClintock
and other well-known characters hung
discreetly in the background until the
battle was on, when they moved
toward the ring and selected choice
seats.
MANY NOTABLES WERE THERE.
William Greer Harrison was there
and so was Colonel Kowalsky. late Of
Belgium. Dan O'Callaghan's merry
laugh echoed through the Pavilion and
made Henry Fortreida's yelp sound like
a grin.
Mayor Schmitz sat in a box with
other members of his big family and
enjoyed the sport. Senators Eddie 1.
Wolfe, Harry Bunkers, Johnny Mel
son. Dick Welch and other sOlons
forgot about their coming battles at
the Capitol and enjoyed things. Sena-
tor Charles NJ. Shortridge twirled his
Napoleonic lock and raised his eloquent
voice in acclaim for J. Edward Britt.
because the latter was a product of
this glorious climate of California"
Gus Hartman and George MCGOWAN
represented the Assembly and agreed
that If such good fights were given the
game need not be stopped. Frank Ca
rillo came up from Bakersfield and
after seeing Nelson take the "wallop-
ing marveled no longed why his pro-
tege Aurelia Herrera could not put him
TO the carpet.
Billy Roche. the referee, entered the
pavilion garbed like a cotillion leader.
William was there with an opera hat
and saluted his friends by opening the
sky-piece" with a bang. Young Cor
bett and a few others borrowed the hat
for q while and played football with It
much TO ROche's sorrow Before the
fight had gone many rounds the crowd
discovered that Roche's underwear was
pink and again he had scored against
Z. Mervin Graney.
Hercy Ach smoked cigarettes to dis
guise his nervousness. Colonel Herbert
ChOynski and John J. Gleason appeared
IN the latest New York creations and
scored as heavily as the fighters. Bobby
Ayre was close to the ring side trying
TO pick winner. Health Officer Ragan
Wanted 10 fumigate a cigar smoked by
2 nearby fight goer but could not find
his deputy. The Board Of Supervisors
were ably represented by Messrs. Bent.
RoNton. Eggers. Booth, Finn and Lun-
stedt
THEATRICAL MEN PRESENT.
FREQ Belasco dropped things theatri-
cal 70 see the mill" as did also John
Morrlsey. Tim McGrath closed the
Tip" for the nOnce and Richard
Adams was out looking for boarders.
Jack Johnson had his gold tooth shined
for the occasion and was around look
ing for A match with Jeffries. Walter
Jennings, Garnet Ferguson. Frank
O'Kane, J. 0. Keane and Bob Smith
represented the race track De Witt
Van Court and Sammy Berger were
there TO yell for Britt as was also
Brother Willie" who left the sick
room to see Jimmy achieve victory.
Little Eddie Miller acted as Britts
mascot and was the happiest boy in
The pavilion when Jimmy was de-
Pa" Britt were in the house. as was
attested by their cheers for the
plumber boy. Dr.. McGettigan and
Two score others were on hand TO give
first aid TO the injured. Al Hampton
Jack Bennett and a dozen other hand
bail experts We're in the running.
Young Corbett had tears in his eyes
as he gazed at the big house and
mOurned his i'll luck that he was not
sharing in the receipts. Manager
Conroth stated that the house was
$4,000. but in the opinion of those
who know the men battled before a
$4,000 house.
Morris Levy and Alec Greggains
wished their cards would draw as
we'll Tom Jenkins said he could
wrestle all night before such gath
ering. Judge Fritz and Judge Mo-
gan forgot everything else for the time
being. George Maxwell. Downey Har-
vey and Harry Ramsdell were also in
the house and greeted their numerous
friends. There were others in the
throng. but they modestly kept in the
Background