Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-28
ANXIOUS AT RENO
Coming of Governor and Ru-
mors Big Fight Will Be
Called Off.
RICHARD STILL CONFIDENT
Belief General, However, That This
Will Be Last Contest of Kind
in Country.

Reno, New, June 28-Reno is awafI
ing the arrival of Governor Dickerson.
who, it is understood, intends to make
brief stop here. Just what the gov
ernors purpose is in coming to the
city has not been stated, but in view
of the numerous denials that he will
interfere with the fight no one admits
the belief it will be connected with the
big contest. News received last night.
however, of the circulation in Chicago
OF another rumor that the fight would
be called off lends added interest to
the expected visit of the chief execu-
tive of the state. Promoter Richard is
keenly anxious to see him Richard
and Dickerson are said to be old
friends. Richard said:
Il am anxious TO have the governor
come here and tell the newspaper men
what he told me in a telegram that
there is no intention on his part of an
attempt TO call off the fight.
May Increase Capacity.
Rapid Roadway is being made on the
arena. The plans call for the seating
of 1900, but according to Richard
heavy orders of tickets from the east
points to the possibility of a larger
attendance and it may be necessary
to enlarge the structure. Representa-
tives of three towns in the northeast
ern part of the state and whose com
bined population figures only 1000
made joint application, it is said, for
1,70S seats. Well known ring votaries
continue to pour in and by the end of
the week probably nineteenth of fisti-
ana's leading celebrities will be on the
scene.
Last Big Fight:
Reno, New, June 2S.-"Weu, this is
the last big fight. Pugilism as it has
hOurished many decades will be a lost
art in the United States. and that
means in the world. when the Jeffries-
Johnson fight is over"
Such is the prediction of the whole
fighting world. apparently 1t is
shared by fighters. trainers and sport
ing writer's, as they loiter about the
hotels Of the city and about the quar-
tiers of the principals, patiently await
ing the coming of Monday and the
decision that is to be handed down
in the arena on that day.
Whenever two old friends. comrades
at many ringsides, meet, often for
the first time in years, this is almost
invariably the greeting. A touch OF
regret for the exciting days which
they believe are gone forever creeps !
into every conversation.
shows Sadness.
lies the laughter and witty banter VI |
the gathering hosts of fight followers. |
All seem certain that this is the end; !
that when the shouting and the tu- /
multi at the ringside has died and |
the time OF parting has come there |
will be nothing to say but goodbye
1t will MOI be until we meet again.
1T will be a great fight. And it will
be the last great fight,' said one gray
haired ring veteran.
The fight game has reached the
end. l have followed it since l knew
enough to follow anything. I have
learned to know all these fellows
around here by meeting them at the
lighting centers, whether at New Or
leans. Jacksonville, San Francisco,
or Reno. We have followed
the game together and we have fol
lowed to the end. l am only glad that
It has not just dwindled away; but
will go out in a blaze of glory"
1t was a day of "reminiscences and
.ales of other fights and other fighters
There was little else to do. Jeffries
workout early yesterday morning came
as complete surprise. Hardly one
IF the usual crowd of spectators
reached Moana in time to witness it.
From then until Johnson dawdled
through a Iistless 10 rounds with his
,parring partners late in the afternoon
here was nothing to do but talk.