The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-04
Jeffriss and Johnson Eager for
the Battle.
Physicians Pronounce Both in
Perfect Condition.
CROWD GOOD NATURED
This, Notwithstanding Many
Had to 60 Hungry.
Betting Odds Go to 2 to l and
Then React.
CROWDGOODNATURED
Jenries. johnson.

S $ &f;i' '..: ::: # Z
Ankle ....................lO 512
Fights ...............-.. 20 "a
Purse, sioi.ooO Is per cent to winner. IS
Moving pictures estimated $4,000 to-
each.
Reno, New, July 4.-Everything is
in readiness for the great Jeffries-
Johnson fight. With the arena splck
and span, the crowds winding toward
IL, the fighters resting at their camps
before stripping for action, the assur-
ance of physicians that both men are
fit for battle, the money ready, the
day bright and clear and cool, moth
ing is wanting to the curtain call for
this fight of all fights.
The sports who spent the night on
cots. floors, piled three in bed and
even on cots in a mortuary chapel, are
packing the arena. The streets of the
city are damned with almost hysterical
crowds, foaming into action here and
there as fight starts pickpocket is
caught, or a prize ring celebrity elbows
his way around. Only one serious ac-
cident has marred the day and that
was when a California rooter shot
himself.
People Walk to Arena.
BY noon the exodus to the fight arena
began. The vanguard of those who
could not afford automobiles at any
thing that could be demanded per trip,
began their dusty tramp. The two cars
that comprise the rolling stock of the
street railway that leads out to the
arena were buster than they ever have
been and the bulk of the pilgrims pre-
Rerred the walk to fight for foothold
or hand grip on the cars. In the main
It was a Iunchless crowd and some Of
thell had gone foodless since last
night, but good humor prevailed
The railway people were on the jump,
getting the long special trains lined up
and in readiness to move to designated
starting points the moment the fight
is over.
Betting Odds Drop Back.
At noon the betting had gone back
to 10 to 6. When the word went
around that ? to 1 was to be had the
Johnson money came in with a rush
and quickly forced the odds back to
where they have stood since yesterday
on the 20 round proposition the odds
were even money and there was plen-
ty Of johnson hackers in evidence.
Flood of johnson Money.
A flood of money was brought out
by the 2 to l proposition and in an
hour the odds had gone back to 10
to s. Betting is reported heavy. Much
money is being placed even on JEFF
fries in 90 rounds. Both camps are
Leading Up to the Fight.
Reno, New, July 4.-When the sun
that today lifted its rays above the
sage brush hills enclosing this grand
and ordinarily peaceful valley, sets
over the white capped Sierras there
will have passed into comparative OBJ
livion one of two mighty men-JameS
j. Jeffries, or John Arthur johnson.
Its first rays shot into barrack-like
places where men of home and family
were lying in row after row. 1t CLINT
ed through shutters into strange bed
rooms where men were sleeping and
three in a bed and on the floors. 1t
rent aside curtains of smoke and saw
red eyed men grouped at tables and
standing around spinning wheels of
chance. And on these tables it met its
rival, the gold of the world in heaps.
IT saw a great bare structure of pine
boards with a white roped ring in
the center, waiting. 1t saw the streets
already stirring with the restless life
and automobiles already whirling
along the country roads.
Out of the southeast came cool wind
and the clear sky gave promise of
perfect day for what promises to be
the last great heavyweight prize ring
battle in the United States. Here, be-
tween the fire of eastern reformers
and the deep sea of Pacific coast poll
tics, the pugilists are gathered in their
last stand. Never before in the history
of the prize ring have so many fight
ing celebrities and sporting characters
met in one narrow street. If Announc-
er Billy Jordan has to introduce all
these men this afternoon. he will lose
his voice long before Jeffries and
Johnson make their bows to the pub
lie.
The Struggle for Food.
BY Z o'clock this morning the break
fast problem assumed a phase that
cd oh nd
Throughout the night and the fore
noon the special and regular trains
had added their cargoes to the thou
sands already on the ground and most
of them had gone foodless for hours.
AS each train arrived its passengers
made dash for restaurant, lunch
stand or sandwich hawker and Reno's
food supply began to melt. When the
lucky thousands who had places to
sleep began to turn out by sunrise
they found the homeless throng had
been before them. At every restaur-
ant and eating place the doors We're
locked and guards kept the waiting
ones in line, letting them in only as a
customer departed At the word
flew through that the bacon and ham
supply was exhausted.
Reno Has Done Its Best.
An hour later it was merely ques-
ton of taking what the red eyed and
worn walters placed before one. Ia
BILE linen had disappeared and dish
washing was a pretense. What the
mob will do when they pour out of the
arena can only be guessed. but it is
safe to say that the better part of
them will go hungry to trains for
hungry ride home.
Reno has done it's best. but with its
population of 1900 more than dou-
bled in "a hours. with traffic condi-
lions abnormal and a ready spending
crowd the housing and feeding ques-
ton was beyond it. One thing that