The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-06
BY L. R. BLANCHARn

benton Harbor. Mich, Sept. e
JACK Dempsey faced trial as heayv-
weight champion of the world here to-
Gay. He was to meet Billy Miske
OF St Paul some time before 4 o.e,ock
The weather auguries were not the
pest Rain started falling last might
just as dusk and Benton Harbor was
mud puddle in an hour. The citvss
power plant went out of Commission
shortly after TIE storm started and
the usual might before the fight
salenes were conducted under gas and
candle lights.
Except for its effect on automobile
rams rain was not expected to inter-
1ere with the attendance. The arena
can be covered with a huge canvas
bought for just such an enerrencs IF
the sun were to come out early. the
sandy floor of the punch bowl arena
could dry out quickly
Many Bets on Weather.
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 activity hy
holders of rolls who wanted to bet the
sun would shine The fighters fol-
lowed practically identical programs
in the last hours before the fight.
Miske climbed into the ring for. two
rounds of boxing with Jack Heinin.
while Dempsey devoted himself to
lighter exercises. Last night all but
members of the training camp were
excluded from training quarters and
the fighters went to bed early.
This morning they were up at a
m.. had light breakfasts and took q
brisk stroll. Miske will put big meal
under his belt at 1 a. m. featured by
chicken The time after the morning
stroll was spent in loliinE about camp.
No visitors were admitted.
NTiskc Is on Edge.
The men closed the training period
last night ready for the fight Demp-
sey was a trifle more surly than
usual. Miske. despite his habituai
grin. was on edge. He snapped at his
they were hardly normal ana men
toned it apologetically.
Miske. clean sflaven and dressed
nattily motored into Benton Harbor
during the evening 10 meet his wife
who will see the fight.
DEM psey, swa rthier than ever. with
a days black beard roughening ssis
face. remained in his quarters.
He was cordial to the few visitors
admitted in the evening. ioked re-
earding the possibility of losing his
first battle as champion. and all the
time shuffled and ruffled a deck Of
cards. As the guests said good
night"-Dempsey was engaged in
game of solitaire
Dempsey continued to be the biS
favorite in the betting. There was a
constant buzz of money talk
Seat Sale Is Large.
The seat sale was announced late in
the evening az $4,000. with rosy pre-
dictions by Promoter Fitzsinmons that
the general admission sale starting at
10 a. m. today would bring in a total
of s150O00. Boats and trains were
crowded yesterday and specials today
were expected to bring entire mobs.
The advance crowd was sufficient to
overflow all eating and housing ac-
commodations and prices SCARED with
demand.
Arena gates were to open at 10
o'clock. Late yesterday there were
signs of an early bread line" but rain
drove the enthusiasts off.
The first preliminary on the ALL
championship card was a Eix-ro1nd
bout between Sam LanRford and Bill
Tate for the "colored heavyweight
championship" The next was to be
between Harry Greb of Pittsburgh and
Chuck Virgins. Indianapolis. II was
to be for six roundz The prelimi-
naries were scheduled to start at z
; O'Clock central time.
Seconds for Miske were Jack Reddy.
chief adviser; Jack Heinin and Johnny
! Tillman.
: Jack Kearns was to head Dempsey's
3 seconds. with Bill Tate. Teddy Hayes
; and Ben Smith assisting
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