New Britain herald., 1915-04-05
Negro Leads Up to Time Deciding Blow Is Landed By Hope of White Race, Who Gradually " ear Champion Down. 15,O0O See Battle.

Race Track, Oriental Park, Havana, AptIt 5.-JeSs Willard. the Kansas cowboy, presen&eG thc Caucasian race with the cro%'. c1nDlematic of the hrHvyweiGht championship of the world this afternoon when he knocked jack Johnson, .il" De2To titleholdef, .a C u.u in the twentyS;xh round Of their scheduled for+y-tivc round battle this afternoon. The sun broke through darkly overcast sky as the crowds began to arr4ve at the scene of, the %hl The setting of the battle was icturesquc A ring had been erect ,d directly on the race track, m front Of the big steel grandstand, which furnished the principal seating facil- tiles. ..
 In front of the grandstand the long slope leading to the track was cov- cred with seats like those of cir. GUS. About the ring boxes were ar ranged set down on the flat track and more. circus seats were in the field.
 Ringside box seats sold for s25, slope seats cost $2O, and $15 was paid for grandstand seats. From $15 the prices of other seats fell to $3 for general admission, but in ad- dition to the fight prices all spec tators were required to pay $ I for . the privilege of witnessing the rac- ing at the conclusion of the fight .a IS Feet Inside Ropes.
 The ring for the historic battle was eighteen feet inside the ropes. The platform measured twenty-two feet It was of sturdy construction, being strongly braced beneath to withstand the weight of the pugilists, Willard being probably the largest man who ever entered the prize ring for d t-6 championship fight. -
 Two hours prior to the time at which the fight was set the ring was being actively completed. The heavy hemp ropes were wrapped twice with black tire tape. Great care was 4 taken in preparing the floor beneath the red canvas covering. and score of regular red blankets were placed there as padding.
 From two platforms moving pie : ture machines were focused on the ring. Five machines comprised the battery, three to be used regularly and two to be held in reserve.
 Forget to Get Gong.
 There was great excitement about . II o'clock when it was discovered that no one had thought about the boil to be rung at the beginning and ending of the rounds. Two messen- gers were dispatched on the twelve mile journey to Havana to purchase a gong. ..r s--
 Cuban troops began to reach the track at half past ten o'clock, severa companies of infantry and two troops of khaki-clad cavalry being then or the scene.
 The race course where the fight wa: being held is surrounded with greer hills, some of which are topped witf towering palms The fight manage ment, seeing the possibility of mov ing picture machines equipped witl telescopic lenses operating from thu hills, had guards stationed at all th vantage points overlooking the f1gh arena.
 At half past eleven o'clock on, hour before the fight was to start several thousand persons had arrived and found seats, but the more ex pensive locations contained but fev spectators.
 Mayor at Ringside. The first notables to reach the ring
  and the speaker of the Cuban hous of representatives. .s
 Mat Hinllel of Cleveland, the alter nate referee of the big bout, came il a few minutes after the mayor and a once began to help with the final ar engagements. .
 By this time a number of soldier had taken up positions around tn ring enclosure. As matter of fa1 soldiers at this hour seemed to con stitute half of the crowd.
 The ring was finished shortly befor roon. While the strongest, it was un doubtedly also the crudest eve erected for worlds champ1onshi fight.
 American Contingent Whistles.
 The band in the grandstand enter tained the gathering crowds. Tn first tune it rendered was By tn Beautiful Sea- which set the Ameri can contingent whistling.
 SD Late arrivals at the arena told c many automobile wrecks along tn narrow and crowded road from IIa vana, but up to noon there had bee no serious accident.
 There was a liberal percentage ( women among the spectators. Mo;