Seattle’s Wild Reaction to the Corbett-Sullivan Fight
Thousands filled the streets and saloons as the underdog James J. Corbett defeated John L. Sullivan in twenty-one rounds.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The result of the Sullivan-Corbett fight struck the sporting fraternity with a dull and sickening thud. During the fight, it was clearly demonstrated that popular sympathy was with Corbett, although money to back the sympathy was scarce. Long before the first news of the fight was received, Second Street from Washington to Cherry was thronged with people. Every time there was an announcement that Corbett had made a point, the crowd cheered. At the end of the twenty-first round, when the news came that Corbett had won, the crowd went wild. It is estimated that not more than $13,000 changed hands in Seattle, due in a great measure to the confidence of the Sullivan people and the large odds offered. The winners were those who gambled on the big odds offered or were native Californians. Ben Goldwater, who backed Corbett from the first, was serenaded last night by the Colored Glee Club in appreciation of standing firm on his convictions and choice.
“The result of the Sullivan-Corbett fight struck the sporting fraternity with a dull and sickening thud.”
In 1892, downtown Seattle—specifically the bustling blocks between Yesler and Cherry—was the nerve center for community news, where crowds gathered at bulletin boards for real-time updates on national events. Today, we consume such 'breaking news' in the digital palm of our hands, but the spirit of communal celebration at a local landmark remains a core part of urban identity.
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