The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-04

RingSide, Toledo, o., July 4.-Tht
crowd gathered slowly for the Jess Will
lard-Jack Dempsey heavyweight cham
pionship twelve round contest. The
arena gates were not opened until 10:1E
o'clock. At that time there were only
a couple Of thousand spectators ready tC
enter the gates. The sky was clear
with a cool breeze blowing. Airplanes
and a giant gas bag to take pictures OF
the contest were being tested out.
The starting of the first preliminary
contest, scheduled for 10 o'clock, was
delayed owing to the slow gathering oi
the spectators.
The first preliminary was called at II
o'clock, a six-round go between Tommy
Solly Epstein. of indianapolis. ia
pounds. Tom Bodkin, of Pittsburgh, was
referee and decided the contest a draw.
The crowd continued to gather but
slowly. only few thousand spectators
being present when the first preliminary
started.
Toledo, o., July AT $3.50 o'clock
this afternoon, Jess Willard, of Law
renee, Kan, and Jack Dempsey, OF
Salt Lake City, Utah,'will meet in a
twelve round boxing match here to
decide the heavyweight championship
of the world.
AT their respective quarters this
morning it was stated both had slept
well and were ready for the contest
From managers and principals came
renewed expressions of confidence.
Everybody had a bed last night, II
was said, largely for the reason that
every Toledoan who could went into
the lodging house business for the
occasion. Early today they were
astir, turning out OF Pullmans. ho-
tells. vacant stores given over to cots,
seeking breakfast and turning their
steps toward the great arena at Bay
view park.
Roads Thronged.
The road to the park was alive and
hustling with the dawn, nor was 1t en-
tirely asleep during the night, for now
and then a truck loaded with supplies
for the vendors moved out In the dark
ness. With daylight. traffic increased.
Policemen and soldiers were early at
their stations. In the arena carpenters
were still busy putting on the final
touches to the vast amphitheater with
its 1000 seats. Thousands of these
were still on sale this morning. Every
road leading into the city saw automo-
biles bringing their loads of fight en-
thusiasts from nearby cities and some
from distance. Many contained fam
lily parties from the country, come to
see not the fight itself, but the stirring,
eager crowd attracted to Toledo by the
event.
Detectives from all the principal cit
les of the land were mingling in the
crowds, while 500 Toledo citizens We're
sworn in to aid the regular city police
force in maintaining order Two hum
dred policemen were stationed outside
the arena and fifty within 1t. The great
est problem of the guards. it was said.
would be in preventing a rush for the
gates after the match. How the vast
throng was to get back into the city
was a problem concerning which there
was more hope than confidence. At the
last moment traffic regulations were
amended to permit traffic both ways on
Summit avenue. 1t was admitted the
streets were totally inadequate to the
task OF bringing the crowd back to
town. Two main thOroughfares were
availa nle for automobiles and pedestri-
ans but great congestion was antiCi-
pated and II was thought certain that
thousands would have to walk back.
Special Schedule,
The street car company planned to
operate two cars A minute on one line
of track, but persons experienced in
Bile to maintain such schedule, as
delay to one car anywhere on four miles
of track would stall the whole line.
Parking space for 2l,O0O automobiles.
at 81 each, was available outside the
arena. The money goes to the city.
Emergency ambulances and all police
patrol wagons were at police headquar-
ters for instant use in event of trouble
Of any sort. Fire officials took every
preCautiOn and had men stationed in
various sections OF the arena, Fire ap-
paratus will be stationed outside the
arena.
All physicians in Toledo were regis
tered with the police and were avail