The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-04
WERE ON EDGE.

All STU Tickets Sold.
From dark last night until $3.50 this
morning twelve trains arrived from
the east and west. with an average of
500 passengers each. Several trains
more heavily loaded are due before
noon Up to o'clock yesterday $500
excursion tickets to Reno had been
sold in San Francisco.
All the SO fight tickets had been
sold last night. Large blocks had
been sold to spectators who were
asking $3.50 for them today The
only seats on sale at the ticket office
this morning were the higher priced
places.
Very early the crowds began to as
semble at the arena. No one, not even
the holders of the highest price seats
were allowed inside so early but the
great implanted structure was a mag
net for the throngs.
Not Satisfied With Ring.
Sam Berger and Jim Corbett drove
out at o'clock and with a crowd of
helpers restretched the canvas cover
ing of the ring floor and frightened up
the ropes. When they looked over the
ring yesterday Berger and Jack JET
fries were far from satisfied with the
job. They found the canvas too
loose, the ropes too slack and COM
planned of the padding. Jeffries ad-
visers were of the opinion that the
padding was too soft, although the ex-
pert who built the ring asserted that
but one thickness of boiler felt lay
between the boards and the snowy
cloth. Jeffries remembers the floor
OF the ring in which he fought Cor
bett as the firmest and fastest he ever
planted a shoe on, and today one of
the men who helped design that ring
gave the secret away. Over the board
ing velvet carpet was glued face
down. rolled by machinery and then
oil
to that. There was no felt and JEFF
fries had said to his staff that he
hoped the Reno arena would approach
that ring in firmness and speed
Cities on Wheels.
The big railroad yards at Sparks
and Reno were cities on wheels today,
populated by thousands who arrived
from east and west during the night
ana early today. They were literally
miles of Pullman tourist sleepers and
chalr cars, damned on to sidings and
every berth in these long lines of cars
turned out an occupant this morning
TO swell the already crowded streets
All the specials carried dining cars
ana their passengers Jared better than
those who had to depend upon Reno's
restaurants for breakfast.
One of the biggest specials that has
come in arrived from Los Angeles.
Jeffries' home town earIv this morn
ing. 1t brought many personal friends
and admirers of the big white fighter.
The Los Angeles contingent will be
seated IN a big block near the ring
SIDE, where they can enthuse Jeffries
with their cheers. Ten specials came
IN from New York in thu forenoon
and several hundred fasteners min
gled with and aimless throngs wander
ing up and down. seeking breakfast
or talking fight on the sunny side Of
the streets. 1t was most ORDERLY
crowd. There was drinking but no
drunkenness. The Nevada state M.
lice apparently had nothing to do h11t
to look on. Throngs gathered around
every gambling table in the scores
or places where games were running
eager to try their luck.
Incoming trains still pour in and the
seat sale Will be not less than $25o.OOo.
Ring Padding Must BE Changed.
Jeffr1es will not fight on that ring
PLATFORM in its present condition" said
Manager Sam Berger. 1.-The canvas is
stretched so that it is difficult TO
move around on it, Unless we have
another platform floor, Jeffries will NOT
fight" nv
1t is Berger's intention to have tho
floor padding and canvas used to cover
the platforms in the respective train
ing camps of johnson and Jeffries
brought to the arena. stretched over
the ring surface and tested by the
t9HIci9 u tHell representatives. Ac-
cord1ng to Berger, either one of these
viii be used, Jeffries preferring to ac-
cept the johnson mat rather than the
one that has been offered by the nro-
mOters.
Miner Shoots Himself.
Inc hrst serious accident that has
occurred in this great catherine ~
men was the accidental shootine {bis
morning of Tom Hefer, a Bodie Cal
miner Hefer was in one of the sa
looms on the main street f1ourishine
wad of money. A friend advised him
TO PUT IL away Hefer, in attempting
to stuff the money into his hip pockef
dropped his revolver to the floor. IT
was discharged and shot him through
the back.
"A murder" was the cry that ran
through the crowds and the incidenT
for time. detracted from the mobs
following the machine of johnson as
it pushed its way through the crowds.
BY 10 O'Clock today the price of the
cheapest tickets had advanced to $25.
the spectators having been encour-
aged by the heavy arrivals. Wherever
they were on sale a crowd fought to
purchase.
The throngs that packed Center
street, the thoroughfare where interei.
and movement center, were thrilled,
shortly before 1 o'clock by the sudden
appearance of Johnson. who motored in
from his camp. He rode slowly
through the packed street and was
given a cordial reception. He did not
alight from his machine, however. but
drove out toward the railway station
and it is understood he went to the
arena to make an inspection of the
ring and give his opinion of the ar
rangement.
AS the forenoon advanced there was
every promise of a perfect day for the
fight. The sky was clear and the SUMS
heat was tempered by a cool breeze
that promised to hold out. Fans were
offered to the crowd on the way to the
ringside but few awaited themselves of
them.
Statement of Physicians.
The following is a statement to the
sheriff by two physicians who were
selected to examine the fighters in con-
forrnity with the state law regulating
prize fights:
"Charles Ferret. Sheriff Washoe Coun-
ty: