The San Francisco call., 1908-10-11
Nelson Contributes to
Testimonial Fund
Champion Sends a Check for
$3.50 to the Bob Snyfh
Memorial Committee

One of the first to respond literally
to the R. A. Smyth memorial fund
was the loved sporting writer's old
friend, Battling Nelson, the world S
champion lightweight. The champion,
who is now starring on the Detroit
stage, heard of the movement on Fri
day, and without the loss of an in
stant's time, he dispatched the follow
ing telegram to the memorial commit
tee in this city:
Have mailed check for $3.50 for the
omyth testimonial. 1 hope ii will be
huge success. for Bob was one of
the grandest men who ever lived. Let
BATTLING NELSON"
The committee was deeply affected at
tne generous response of the little
champion, but those who know Nelson
as Bob" Smyth knew him were not
az all surprised, for Bat is one Of the
kindest and most generous of men. His
neart and his purse are ever open TO
those whom he likes and he will go to
the end of his resources to do a turn
Tor any man, woman or child who ever
gained his friendship.
Bob Smyth understood Nelson as
ieW men did. He was one of the first
70 welcome the Battler when he landed
IN this city some four years ago, a de-
splsed and unknown outsider. Smyth
watched the wonderful fighter climb
and was one of his greatest admirers
from the moment he saw the Dane in
his first fight here
The memorial committee has its
plans very well outlined at the present
time and the next few days will be
busy ones for the hustling sporting
men, They have undertaken to make
the coming memorial one of the
greatest that the city has ever known
and their efforts thus far have met
with wonderful success.
n1if 70 trrfll hn1 &c ~
meeting at the Olympic club on Tues
day evening at s o'clock. Then more
definite plans will be outlined and re-
ports from the various subcommittee
is hoped that by next Wednesday
morning the plans for the memorial
will be fully outlined and the great
work well under way.
The prospects for one of the greatest
amateur boxing carnivals that has ever
taken place here are very bright. The
game and they will get together the
best glove artists to be had in and
about this city, so the fight fans will
have royal treat in store for them
on the evening of October 81.
The associated theatrical managers,
musicians and theatrical employees
unions and daily papers of San Fran
cisco are working hand in hand and
mortal benefit for the mother and
sister of the late Robert A. Smyth,
journalist, an unbounded artistic and
financial success. The performance
which will be continuous, will be given
at the Princess theater Thursday af-
ternoon, October %, and the program
bids fair to be the best ever presented
In. amusement loving San Francisco
The musicians union, through the
board of directors, has volunteered an
orchestra, stating that any number of
men, from 10 to so. will be at the dis
posal of the benefit committee. The
very best talent playing at the repre-
sentative theaters of the city will be
on the bill and SO many are the vol
unteers that an entertainment lasting
from noon till midnight could easily
be given. The dealers on Automobile
row have put an unlimited number of
machines at the disposal of the COM
mittee so that the contributing artists
may be rushed from their respective
theaters and rehearsals in the quickest
possible time.
So great is the desire of the hun
dreds of friends and admirers of the
deceased writer to pay substantial
tribute to his memory that 1t has been
decided to hold an auction sale of boxes
and choice seats at a time and place
to be determined on later. Larry
the we'll known clubman who
as auctioneer for the benefit of the
widow of the late Judson c. Brusie.
realized nearly $500 In premiums. has
volunteered to act in the same capacity
on this occasion.