The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-09-06
FEAR Of RAIN
ADDS TENSIl
TO STTudT
BYL. BLANCHARD

BY L. r. BLANCHARD
Omitted Press Stan Ccrresponoeqf) |
Benton Harbor. Mich. Sept @
Jack Dempsey faced trial ~ heavy-l
weight champion OF the world here
today. He was to meet Billy Miskel
Of St Paul some time before =
O'Clock.
The weather auguries were not
the best. Rain started falling last
night Just at dusk and Benton Har-i
Dor was . mud puddle In an hour.
The city's power plant went out OF
commission shortly after the STORM
started and the usual night before
the fight gaieties were conducte4
under pale gas and candle lights.
Except for its effect on automo-i
bile fans, rain was not expected 70
interfere with the attendance. The
arena can be covered with a huge
canvas bought for just such AMI.
emergency. II tho sun were tol
come out carly the sandy iloor OF
the punch bowl" arena could dry
out quickly. r..,g
Bet on Weather. fSa
One of the most popular bets last
night was on the weather. Bets on
the fight generally were arranged
In secret but there was open acttv-1
ity by holders of rolls who wantedl
to bet the sun would shine. The
fighters followed practically fden-!
teal programs in the last hours be-
fore the fight. Miske climbed into
the ring for two rounds OF boxingi
with Jack Heinen. while Championl
Jack devoted himself to lighter ex-I
ercises. Last night all but men,-l
bers of the training camp were ex-l
cluded from training quarters anu
the fighters went to bed early.
This morning they were up at Z
O'Clock, had light breakfasts and
took a brisk stroll. Miske will put
a big meal under his belt at 1lSa-
M, featured by chicken. Time after
the morning stroll was spent IN
lolling about camp. No visitors
were admitted.
Fighters On Edge.
The men closed the training per-
iod last night ready for the fight.
Dempsey was a tride more surly
than usual. Miske. despite his ha-
bitual grin, was on edge. He snap
ped at his companions repeatedly
Both realized they were hardly
normal and mentioned it APOLOGIZE
caily.
! Miske, clean shaven and dressed
nattily, motored into Benton Har-
Dor during the evening TO meet his
wife, who will see the fight.
Dempsey. swarthier than ever.
with a days black beard roughen-
ing his vision, remained in his
quarters.
He was cordial to the few visit,
tors admitted in the evening, jok-
J ed regarding the possibility OF los
ing his first battle as CHAMPION
and all the time shuffled and re-
shuffled a deck Of cards. As the
guests said Goodnight" Dempsey
was absorbed in a game OF soli-
taire.
Jack Big Favorite. Al sss y
Dempsey continued to be the big
, favorite in betting. There was IT.
tie open posting of cash, but there
j was constant buzz OF money talk
, The seat sale was announced late
J in the evening as $4,000 with rosy!
| predictions by Promoter Fitzsim-
D mons that the general admission
D sale starting at 10 a. m. today would
D bring in a total of $4,000. Boats
| and trains were crowded yester-
D day and specials today were ex-
= pected to bring entire mobs.
The advance crowd was sum-
, Gent to overflow ell eating and
l housing accommodations and prices
: scared with demand. Klondyke
!. prices for eatables; taxis at min
J imum price Of 81 ard no sleeping
: room was to be had at less than
cost Of a presidential suite.
|. Gates Open Early.
s Arena gates were to open at II
|. o'clock. Late yesterday there vert
: signs of an early "breadline't bul
e rain drove the enthusiasts of.
Seconds for Miske we're: Jacl
,Reddy, chief adviser; Jack Heinea
and Johnny Tillman.
J. Jack Kearns was to head Demp
0 sey's seconds with Bill Tate, Tedd,
q Hayes and Ben Smith assisting.
o -