The sun., 1919-07-05
BLIND FAN PAYS $50
TO SEE Big BOUT
Musicians Hands Are Bis
tered by Terrific Heat
Sidelights of Show.

TOLEDO, Ohio. July "A member Of
a big party from Toronto, whose train
was parked near another special from
California. reported meeting the last
word In fight enthusiasts in the coast
party. This man was totally blind, but
paid $50 for a seat under 112 degree
sun for a show which he could only
imagine from what his friends told him
and from memories of fights OF earlier
days before he was imprisoned in dark
ness.
brass band made spasmodic efforts
to play jazz. but made sorry work OF It.
The brass instruments were so hot they
almost burnt the hands of their players
Many Of the players had their hands
blistered.
At their respective quarters this morn
ing II was stated that both Willard and
Dempsey had slept we'll and were ready
for the contest. From managers and
principals came renewed expressions Of
confidence.
Everybody had bed last night, It
was said. largely for the reason that
every Toledoan who could went into the
iOuklnR mousse DuSineSb lot tHe oCCdelOH
Early to-day they were astir. turning
out of Pullmans, hotels. vacant stores
given over to cots. seeking breakfast
and turning their steps toward the great
arena at Bayview Park.
Detectives from all the principal cities
Of the land were mlngling in the crowds
here to-day, while 500 Toledo citizens
were sworn in to aid the regular city
police force In maintaining order.
Two hundred policemen we're sta
toned outside the arena and fifty with
in IL.
Parking space for $1,000 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 head
quarters for instant use in event of trou-
BILE OF any sort. Fire officials took every
precaution and had men stationed in
various sections of the arena, Fire APP
paratus was stationed outside the arena.
All physicians in Toledo were regis
tered with the police and were available
for emergency.
Two hours before the start of the big
trict still had big punches of unsold
pasteboards which they we're offering at
an average OF 10 per cent. below their
face value. Sixty dollar tickets were
quoted at fifty dollars. forties at thirty
three and flfteens at twelve. Even these
reductions failed TO move the surplus
supply and IL was evident that the spec
ulators would have to cut their prices
still further II they were to sell out.
Brady Wants to bet.
William A. Brady, who arrived on a
special that brought Irving Berlin, Sam
Harris, Ethel Barrymore and other New
Workers.. declared that he had $50 900
to bet on Dempsey and that II he could
get that much covered he would bet
5000 more. There did not seem to
be many eager takers
A number OF special complimentary
tickets also made their appearance In
the hands OF spectators and were easily
Identified owing to the fact that the cor
ners OF the cards had been clipped. One
man after buying such a complimentary
took II to Tex Richard and asked him II
II was good. The promoter was SO in
dignant over the abuse of the privilege
that he tore the ticket into fragments
and threw them on the floor with the
remark: 1T was good, but II isn't now"
The remarkable feature OF the wait
was the utter absence OF betting. Sandy
Griswoid, dean OF the boxing writer's
who has been covering heavyweight
championships for forty years, declares
that there was never championship
where betting was so shy
81 saw $500 bet the other night" said
Griswold. That seems to be all that
was bet You can't ind the ringside
odds because nobody seems to be betting
dime