The Bismarck tribune., 1929-03-27
CHICAGO STADIUM TO
House LARGE CROWD
FOR LlCHTHEAVY MIX
Mickey Walker Will Weigh 166;
Tommy Loughran to Tip
Beam at us
STADIUM COST 7 MILLIONS
Paddy Started Promotion When
He Was is Years Old
Wish a Dance
STADIUM COST 7 MILLIONS

Chicago. March a7.-4Fp-The
dream house OF an Irish lad from
down by the gas house will be dedi-
Gated tomorrow night.
The youth was Paddy Harmon, now
81 years old. The dream house" Is
the 100000 Chicago stadium, which
will be thrown open tomorrow night
with Mickey Walker. the toy bulldog
OF fistiana. seeking Tommy Lough-
rams light heavyweight title before
$4,000 spectators.
Paddy always wanted TO do big
things. Even when a boy peddling
papers and putting out gas lights on
vedder street to add a few dollars to
the common support of a large
family. he was dreaming OF the day
when he would not have to struggle
for his nfckels and dimes.
Promoted Dance First
His first pronotional enterprise was
a dance hall at Is cents each for
gents" and 10 cents for the ladies
when Is years old. It was a success
and there were more dollars in the
Harmon family treasury. Later came
his first roller skating venture and
larger dance halls. Then. in 1912 he
pioneered in the six-day bicycle rae
ing game, promoting the first bike
race at Dexter pavilion with 1000
customers on passes and SO paid ad-
missions.
All the time Paddy was dreaming
OF stadium-a stadium that would
surpass anything OF its kind in the
world. Three years ago the dream
began to take form but as Paddy
said. Il was knocked down 20 times
after thought everything all set"
But each time Paddy got up and
tomorrow night the boy from down
by the gas house on Vedder street
will see his dream come true.
Walker VS.. Loughran
The fans will pay upwards Of $780,
600 to see Harmon's dream house and
Mickey Walker battle for Loughran's
crown.
The great open spaces Of the west
have nothing on Paddy Harmon's
Arena. Not a pillar or post obstructs
the view Of the furthest spectator. lSC
feet from the ring. Three tiers Of
seats encircle the stadium.
Walker and Loughran completed
serious training for their titular con-
test yesterday. The defending cham
pion tipped the scales at 1854 pounds
after stiff workout. Loughran plans
to enter the ring few ounces under
the weight limit of IT'S pounds while
Walker will probably weigh In at 16e
pounds, said to be his best fighting
weight.
Loughran was to go through a few
exercises today to keep down the
excess poundagc while Walker
planned day Of complete rest.
Had Great Fight
his campaign to build the stadium
He had 100000 and started sound.
ing out" Chicago business men
Four times New York promoters
warning him against the venture
underworld him. No less than eight
times was Harmon "sold down thu
river"
II was just about overheard" Padd,
explained. Then for the eighth time
! started the campaign and personal
~ sold the idea to q group Of Chi
cago'S largest business men. Now vi
have seen the light Of day."
Every sport. professional and anna
teur. will be staged in the amphi
theatre. Boxing, hockey. bicycle rae
ing. basketball. swimming and evel
football and baseball may be playe.
In the stadium.
When Harmon promoted his firs
dance at the age Of Is. his total gat
receipts were $8. When the stadium
opens in March with the Chicag
Bankers track meet, the estimate,
receipts will be more than $4,000.