The Washington herald., 1910-07-04

Reno, July 8.-Last night, after
the difference in time had barred
all the New York newspaper cor
respondents from describing the
scene, Reno's bottled enthusiasm
blew out the stopper and sprayed
all over the corridors of the Golden
Hotel. So many prize fighters. ex-
prize fighters, and would-be prize
fighters had sifted into town during
the past week that when few more
of the regular old war horses landed
last night the strain was too great
and something had to give.
VETERANS SHAKE HANDS.
1t was when Thomas Sharkey, of
New York, and Robert Fitzsim-
mons, Of Australia, shook hands in
front of the Golden Hotel register
that Reno could contain itself no
longer. The two fighters had ar
rived from opposite directions,
Sharkey coming over the desert
from the East on the regular ex-
press train due at 8 o'clock and the
Australian ex-cfampion dropping
in from Vancouver by way OF San
Francisco on the Overland Limited.
The popular Fourteenth street bar
keeper was arrayed in a neat dou-
ble-breaSted sack suit of a horse
blanket pattern, with buttons mod
eled after the crown on the summit
of the Metropolitan tower. He wore
his pea green alpine hat tilted at a
rakish angle over his upholstered
ears, From twenty feet off one
could hear bis watch tick. The
speckled beauty of the antipodes had
less efulgent raiment. 1t was only
cinnamon brown, cut as only an
Australian tailor can cut clothes.
CAUGHT IN THE JAM.
The mob which blocked Center street
from the station up to the door OF the
Golden Hotel would hardly let the two
champions pass as they came together
from the railroad station. Barely had
they entered the doors when they were
caught off their feet and rushed back
against a pile of trunks which were
awaiting transportation at the elevator
Everybody yelled for a speech. and no
body cared who made one.
Finally Fitzsimmons split himself ike
compass and got one foot On top Of a
trunk. Roaring enthusiasts speedily hoist
ed the other foot up TO its mate, and the
thin champion found himself towering
above the heads of the crowd. with his
fuzzy green hat scraping the ceiling. He
barred his bald head, grinned extensively
for several seconds, and then he began a
somewhat fiustered address.
If I'd a million quid." said Fitz, "and
everything in all the world at my COM
mand, I'd die in two years II I could
not come back TO the United States. II
IS such glorious country you've got that
an old man such as likes to come back
here and see all the old sports. I anu
not going TO say who I think is going TO
win the fight You'll have until Monday.
and guess for yourselves; but believe me,
it's awfully. awfully good 10 get back
ere again"
Sharkey Takes His Turn.
No sooner had Fitz unlimbered himself
and climbed down from the trunk than
there were yells for Sharkey. The shrink
ing modesty Of the Fourteenth street hero
could not withstand this public clamor
He. too. was hoisted on the trunk, much
TO the detriment OF the careful ereases
in his trousers and, while a citizen from
Searchiight New. steadied the ex-sailor
by firm grip on his expansive calves
the man who had at one time gone down
before the blows OF the previous speaker
delivered himself Of a neat, If somewhat
disordered, speech.
"Yuh think you're looking at a dead
One?" said Sharkey. but I want to tell
yuh an that I'm better to-day than I
ever was. and I'm not sure but what I'll
challenge the winner of the fight on Mon
day. Why. Il mule can kick me in the
stummick and Til never feel Il, and I'd
Ike 70 see the stiff wot thinks he can put
me out IL forty-five rounds or less
Thanking you one and all for your cour-
tesies. I beg TO remain, sincerely yours,
Thomas Sharkey Open until / a. m,
and devils a drink you get on Sunday
unless you come to the side door and I
Know you"
Excitement had now gone entirely TO
the head OF the crowd and demands were
made for further elevation Of heroes.
Somebody suggested that Tommy Burns,