The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-07-05
Q 0 O @ O O O @ @ O @ 0 O O O O

G 5000 O O @ @ o G O O O O O q
RENO, New, July 4.-Twenty thou
sand persons banked tier on tier
stared for a heart beats time at Il
heavy white figure PROSTATE on a
square OF pink canvas this after
noon and tried 10 realize that what
may be the last chapter In American
prize ring annals had been written
before them. The big man whose
bulk segged low tho white rope over
which he lay was Jim Jeffries. And
over him smiling, alert, his smooth
black body glistening in the brilliant
desert sunshine. stood Jack John
son. the new king of tho ring. No
ring contest ever drew such an at
tendance and never before was so
many thousands Of dollars fought for
or paid by the sport-loving put to see
n fight
The men and for that matter the
500 or more women scattered through
the vast audience are tonight dis
persing east and west and north and
south. Many Of them journeyed thou.
sands of miles TO Reno: many have
gone hungry and many without beds,
but the picture they saw this after
noon was worth it. 1t was the great
est collection OF men OF the prize
ring and those associated with the
sport, of sporting writer's and writer's
whose names are known In fiction.
politics and travel that has ever been
drawn together in this country ex-
cept at a national political conven-
ton. From noon until the curtain
went down on this battle OF the
Fourth of July thousands of persons
sweltered and baked under the direct
rays of July sun to see the trial
OF skill, strength and endurance
promised by this combat OF the two
recognized peers of the prize ring.
And after 49 minutes of concentrated
and intense interest the thing they
had looked forward to for a year
was over, something between q sigh
and a groan went up to the blue sky,
but there was little complaint.
These keen sporting men from
every corner of the world realized
they had seen great and game man
die and that past master of ring
science wore the championship belt.
1t was not a great fight as fights go.
but they had had their moneys worth.
All questions were answered and
now for the quiet walks of the daily
life again,
AS hour by hour the thousands OF
representative sporting men filed
through the gates and took their
seats in the heated pit there was ono
thought-in few minutes
more and the fight OF fights-prob-
ably the last great fight in the coun-
try would be won
After the battle SCARED veterans OF
the ring three of whom had fallen
before Jeffries -Sharkey. Fitzsimmons
and Corbett-passed again across the
spot light, again one thought thrilled
the beating hearts.
And the dream came true when
fat, red faced Billy Jordan barred his
bald head and cried:
Letter 60"
There was not blur In the ar
The recording eyes of
the moving pictures took in a scene
lnriyaled in ring history.
All that the age has produced in the
way Of human fighting machinery was
seen here at its best-past and pres
snt methods OF the arena The eye
Of the ordinary man grew weary at
sight Of many faces that he had read
about for 20 years. There was con-
slant calling of bring on the big
light; we have seen enough"
Through the 10 rounds there was
little cheering. And when the end
came and Jeffries dropped, dazed and
inert, church like stiffness fell over
he multitude. Men stood on their
lot pine benches. their faces tense
and drawn, waiting for the fight to
be resumed
Not even when Sam Berger, JET.
'ries' manager, accompanied by the
Dig fellows seconds and a number of
71gilant newspaper men jumped
through the ropes and surrounded
he PROSTATE fighter, did the watch.
ng crowd indicate by word or ac-
ion that the battle was over. No
iced was paid the victor except by
lis friends at the ringslde-the eyes
If the onlookers remained on Jeffries. :
Realization equally came when
lfter lengthy interval JeffrIes was
aimed and rubbed into consciousness
ind assisted to his feet and led
lway.
Forty-f1ve minutes later the first
special train pulled out westward
Then day coach specials were drawn
Up at the plarorm and as fast as the
seats were filled started east and
vest and throughout the night at
whatever hours dlspatchers could ar
'ange, others followed.
RENO. New, July 4.-John Arthur
Johnson, Texas negro, the son of an
American slave. tonight is the first
and undiSputed heavyweight cham. |
oion of the world. James ]. JeffrIos
'f California, winner OF TWENTY-FIVE |
fights. the man who
never before was brought to his knees |
oy blow, tonight passed into his. |
ory as a broken idol. He suffered |
iefeat at the hands of the black
champion.
While Jeff was not actually count.
I'd out, he was saved from the crown.
ng shame by his friends pleading
With Johnson not to hit the fallen
nan again and the towel was brought
nto the ring from his corner. Ar
he end CT the fifteenth round Re.
cree Tex Richard raised the black
lrm and the great crowd filed out In
loom and silence. Jeffrles was dragged
o his corner bleeding from the nose
md mouth and dozen cuts on the
ace. He had black closed eye and
wollen features and he held his head
n his hands da2pd and incobaronf