Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-22
ARRIVES
THIS AFTERNOON
Big Crowd on Hand TO See the Cham
Dion Hcavywcight-Colo
Sold Out for Tonight.

Greeted by a throng OF 500 followers
OF sport. J. j. Jeffries, Sam Berger. his
personal manager. and Frank Gotch.
champion wrestler of the world. ar
rived on No ) over the Rio Grande this
afternoon at 2:95. He was met at the
depot by Tex Rickard. big BIZ Rishel
and "A. Fred Wey and others.
Il Will fight anywhere. It's up to the
manager was the statement made by
the big fighter to a News representa-
tive at the depot as he stepped from
the platform OF his Pullman
He was eagerly sought by inter-
viewers at the depot. but their efforts
proved almost futile, for he was
whisked Into an automobile and sakea
at the head OF procession TO the
Wilson hotel. where he will be guest
of Fred Wcy during his stop In this
city Following the former champion
of the ring 10 automobiles and 20 car
riages formed a procession, unique
event In this city. indeed.
The scene at the depot was unusual.
Crowded onto the tops of boxcars.
station sheds and every conceivable
point of vantage. huge crowd was
gathered To greet him. AS the train
pulled into the depot. big cheer went
up and JenrIes was here. II was evil
dent that the sight was unexpected, Tor
he smiled and his face flushed. lie
turned first TO one member OF his
party and then to another, seeking
some Information us TO what the COM
motion meant.
The sole topic of conversation on the
street during the day was the arrival
of Jeffrles and his troupe. Central on
both phones was kept busy answering
queries in regard TO the time OF No.
on the d. & r. G.. railroad on which
~ ,-f~tx- 'hn
Colonial theator. where the performance
is to take place, was sold out to the
roof, and there were all sorts OF prices
offered for seats. Spectators who
had sized up the situation rightly made
nice profits.
The advent of the big fellow was in
teresting to the general public in more
ways than one. There was a general
interest to see him and to obtain sat
isfaction in regard to his condition.
and then there was the feeling that his
presence in Salt Lake would settle def
nitely the question as TO the location
of the great contest Notwithstanding
all of the assertions of Tex Rlckard
that Independence day will see the
greatest event In pugilistic history
staged at Saltair, there is a manifest
feeling that it will go to'San Francis
co. and the word of Jeffrles. who. after
all is the principal figure in the affair,
was anxiously awaited.
There Is an optimism shown not only
by the sporting fraternity of the city
but also by business men and resi-
dents generally in regard to the con-
test taking place In or near Salt Lake.
And this is manifested in the face OF
repeated statements from the COVER
nor that Jeffries and Johnson Will not
be allowed to clash In Utah The
imbroGlio between Tex RIckard and
John Gleason, the match makers. has
but added fuel to the blaze OF interest,
But the fact of the matter is that the
hotels of the city are hourly receIv-
Ing demands for reservations during the
week of July 4. They are coming from
everywhere. from all parts OF the coun-
try. The Cullen this morning was pc
tItloned for a total of 80 rooms and the
other hotels are, ,oP, the same plane.
The railroad lS9L,AtIon In regard to
the fight IS peculiar. The Western
Pacific officials are arranging their
spring schedule with a view to care
for the tremendous traffic to San Fran
cisco and seem assured that the me-
tropolis of the coast will be the scene OF
the battle. A leading railroad man
said this morning that II was all cut
and dried and there was no chance for
any place except the earthquake city.