Reception of a Pugilist.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 6407, 7 January 1888, Page 3

Reception of a Pugilist.

John Lawrence Sullivan, the champion pugilist of Ajierioa, arrived at Eustoz Station at 3.30 o'olook one afternoon recently, and was afforded a tremendotu reception by an assemblage estimated at nearly 12,000. A large force of policemen had been specially told off for the ooet•ion, but they were entirely unable tc oope with the crowd, and when the train arrived the people clambered over the tops of the carriages, while 12 omnibuses fall of •porting men made their way into the Station. On Snllivan making his appearance he wis greeted with loud oheering, ' waving of handkerchiefs and hits, and so eager were those assembled to get a handahake from the visitor that they crowded around him in a manner that made it impossible for the party to reach the vehiole in waiting, In this dilemma the champion dashed into a mourning coach ■binding nei r, bnt so many people crowded intoitthatthe bottom fell out, A brougham was then procured, and Snllivan drove to tha Sportsman office. Here he made'a ehort speech, nt first from the staircase and afterwards from the window, and having thanked the public for their very kind reoeption, requested them to let him mas so that he might get to his hotel and cave his dinner.