<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1AyUvH_0vIuVXxA00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1AyUvH_0vIuVXxA00" width="650" height="486" ><figcaption>In September 1927, large crowds gathered outside the building that formerly housed the Manistee News Advocate, formerly located on Water Street to listen to the boxing matches. (Submitted photo/Manistee County Historical Museum) </figcaption></figure> One of the things that amazes me the most in our “connected” world is how nearly everything you want or think you want is readily available at your fingertips. Need paper towel or toilet paper, well let’s just check and see if it’s cheaper on the internet? Perhaps we feel the need to contact a family member, well how about we just email them or text them instead of actually speaking with them. And lastly, if you really want your friends to know the good or bad minutiae of your day, you can tell them on social media. Contrast all of these technological advancements and supposed “connectedness” with the world of yesteryear and one will find that there used to be way more communal experiences happening throughout smaller communities and the world at large. In 1926, one of the bigger communal experiences to take place in Manistee —&nbsp;not counting a Fourth of July parade —&nbsp;was, of all things, a boxing match. During the late 1910s and well into the 1920s, boxer Jack&nbsp;Dempsey reigned as heavyweight champion of the world and was one of America’s most well-regarded athletes of the time. In September 1926, Dempsey was set to fight Gene Tunney for the heavyweight championship title. To say that this was an anticipated event would be an understatement, as during that time period, boxing was a sport that was followed as much as the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and NASCAR sporting events are today. Glancing through the newspapers leading up to the Sept. 23, 1926 fight, several articles published in the Manistee News Advocate — sourced from the United Press — announce the anticipation of the boxing match, articles with headlines such as: “Gene Tunney Trains With Nature, Jack Dempsey With Money;” “Everyone Is After The Money in the Dempsey-Tunney Title Bout;” “Jack Can Lose Bout Only on Foul;” “140,000 will witness Dempsey-Tunney Bout Tonight.” While radios were becoming a more popular appliance in homes across the country, at the time they were still considered to be something that people of a higher stature — and a higher income, would own. Thus, unless you had a radio or knew someone who had one, you would more than likely be relegated to finding out about the details of the fight later in the day. It was announced by the&nbsp;Manistee News Advocate that they would be broadcasting the fight live to the people of Manistee. Details on the broadcast —&nbsp;as well as the outcome of the fight —&nbsp;were published in the Sept. 24, 1926 edition of the Manistee News Advocate: “One of the largest Manistee crowds that ever watched a heavyweight championship bout by long distance gathered last night in front of The News-Advocate Bulletin Board, located at Thor’s Music Shop, 393 River St., and stood for more than two hours listening to the detailed account of the fight. “A special United Press fully leased telegraph wire direct to ringside at the Sesqui-Centennial stadium at Philadelphia flashed the news into The News-Advocate office, where it was instantly relayed by a direct telephone line to the Magnavox speaker at the bulletin board. Less than one minute was lost in transmission of news from Philadelphia to the large throng that packed the street in front of the bulletin board. “The crowd filled the street —&nbsp;leaving only room enough for one car to pass — and extended for nearly a block up and down River Street. Through the use of the Magnavox, however, those on the farthest edges could hear as well those who had arrived at 6 p.m. to gain vantage points. “Announcements started promptly at 6 o’clock with news of a quick knockout in the first preliminary. From then on the news kept filtering in. At 7:30 Tunney entered the arena and started for the ring. From that time on, The News Advocate furnished a minute and detailed description of everything that took place at the stadium. The bout was reported blow by blow. The weakening Dempsey and the winning new champion were traced through every step. “A mighty roar went up when the announcement came that Gene Tunney, ‘the fighting marine,’ was the new heavyweight champion of the world. “Through courtesy of The News Advocate, the Lyric and the&nbsp;Ramsdell theaters were given bulletin returns on the fight so that patrons were able to follow the fight even in those places.” When the event was over, it was estimated that over 3,000 people were crowded on River Street to hear the play-by-play of the boxing match. Several days later, the Magnavox speaker was set up in front of Thor’s Music Shop so the public could listen to the Yankees take on the Cardinals in the World Series. The following year, Dempsey sought a rematch with Tunney and once again, the Magnavox speaker was put out, however this time the match would be broadcast at 415 Water St. in front of the former News Advocate building with the entire block roped off from traffic. More details on the broadcast as well as a mention of those Manisteeans who were going to see the fight LIVE, were published in the News Advocate on Sept. 22, 1927: “You won’t have to present your invitation, nor will you have to fork over $40 for your seat, for you won’t have any (seat) unless you bring along your camp chair. “All The News-Advocate asks is that people bring along their moral sense of appreciation for others rights. Several of other neighbors have recently seeded lawns along the street and we humbly beseech our guests not to tread on the newly-sown. “The Puritan, which was scheduled to leave about midnight last night carrying local fight fans, left the harbor at 5 o’clock this morning for Chicago. Delay was caused by the fact the steamship was forced to stop at Northport. Some Manisteeans caught the Pere Marquette steamer at Ludington, which steamed out at 9 o’clock and still others drove and went by rail. “Along those who expect to witness the encounter tonight are: Fr. J.M. Steffes, Philip Schnorbach, Chet Emunson, Postmaster John A. Meier, Hans Hansen, Mortimer Cooke, Irving Friedman and Dr. Ed Andersen.” The day of the match between 500 and 1,000 fans listened to Tunney defeat Dempsey again outside the News Advocate. An article published on Sept. 23, 1927 describes the scene as well as provide a denouement about the nature of sporting events. Portions of the original article follow “During the preliminaries, the crowd was unresponsive. Evidently there was some impatience to get to the main business of the evening. An occasional joke by the broadcaster fell flatly on the pavement and was promptly trampled upon. All the advance hokum of the big pageant meant little. What the fans wanted was action. “The last two rounds, with Tunney making a strong comeback were crowded with cheering and when it was flashed out to the crowd that Tunney was given the decision the applause ceased as suddenly as if someone had turned a fire hose on the fans. That is just about what did happen. A young cloudburst arrived at that juncture and away the fans scurried to get under cover. “For the most part the fans were perfect guests and respected our neighbor’s lawns. A few people did get onto the new grass across the street, but it is hoped that no permanent damage was done. “Enthusiasm was somewhat subsided this morning. Conversation on the street turned from ‘Who’r’ya bettin on’ to ‘When’s the new Ford comin’ out?’” </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

The live broadcast of Dempsey versus Tunney

It was the biggest boxing match of the 1920s. Over 3,000 people crowded on River Street to hear the play-by-play of the boxing match with heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey.