Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-29
Boston Special to the New York Sun.

printed about the Sulllvan-hirain fight moth
Ing has been quoted from the lips of one of the
most important functionaries of the battle
Referee Fitzpatrick. That gentleman is now
at Nantasket Beach, Boston's popular seaside
resort, and for the first time he talked to-day
for publication. He says that it is the last
time that he will consent to be interviewed on
the subject. When asked if he had expected to
referee the battle he replied:
Il went there to see the fight, like thousands
of others, and had not the slightest idea that
they wanted me. If had known that would
not have gone. When they began to shout for
Fitzpatrick was the most surprised man on
the grounds. / explained to the men that
was not up regards the rules, but that
would serve to the best of my ability. did
not read the rules until the day after the fight.
Possibly if had the contest would not have
lasted long it did. Now, for instance,
there is one rule which says that the men, at
the call of time, must face each other and toe
the scratch, but the rule does not say what
shall be done if either man refuses to toe the
mark. / supposed that the result OF such a
violation is left entirely to the discretion OF the
referee. OF course understand that all rules
cannot be perfect. especially those which gov
ern prize fights, but do think that a little re-
vision would not injure the London rules a bit
They are relics of bygone days and should be
thoroughly overhauled. 1 had very little
refereed itself. want to say that think that
John L. Sullivan is the fairest and squarest
fighter that ever stepped into ring. Yes, he
was spiked a number of times by Kilrain, but
would not allow a foul for these reasons:
First, could not make up my mind that the
spiking was intentional; second, wanted the
fight to determine which was the better man,
and thus prevent any dissatisfaction later. /
think that everybody is satisfied as it is. The
friends of Sullivan can easily believe that he is
the best man that ever trained for fight. The
friends of Kirain have the consolation of
knowing that their man was game from start
to finish and that he fought desperately, but
that he was overmatched. The first time that
Sullivan was spiked was on the left foot The
spike went through the thick leather and
ripped it. The second spiking that he got
must have been very painful =. 1t cut into the
small toe, decorating it badly. Several other
times was Sullivan spiked; the worst was when
he fell on Kirain. The latter had his foot in
the air when he fell and one of his spikes en-
tered Sullivans groin. Muldoon at once
claimed foul and made quite an energetic
demand that it be allowed, but could not de-
tertermine whether 1t was intentional or acci-
dental, so l did not allow the claim.
Il was the most surprised man at the ring
when 1t was announced at the close of the fight
that the men had fought over two hours. felt
that they had fought Just about half an hour
Both men showed the effects of the battle
pretty thoroughly near the close. They were
both pretty tired, and chance blow would, in
my opinion, have settled the battle either way.
Then. when Sullivan saw that kilrain was be-
coming weak, he braced up like thorough
bred horse and went at Jake hammer aud tongs
That great final brace Just about made Sullivan
champion of the world. Poor kilrain must
certainly have suffered awfully toward the lat
ter part of the fight. He would walk up to the
scratch with both hands below his heart. pull
ing at the flesh in an effort to ease the pain
He was a very badly used-up man and he
showed the effects of the punishment which he
had received"
DO you think that Mitchell worked as faith
fully for the interest of kilrain he should?''
Yes, i do. think that Mitchell is not be-
ing treated fairly III this matter. / know that
he is disliked and hated for his arrogant man.
ner, but feel that he ought to receive fair
play. III things had gone differently Mitchell
would have been a great man. / do not see for
the life OF me why kirain has changed his
opinions expressed before the fight He
claimed to be in the best of form and re-
ferred gratefully to the hard work that Mitchell
was doing. Now, the great trouble with Kill
rain is that he allowed himself to become too
confident. Mitchell convinced him that Sul-
Ivan was not the man he was in former days.
The result was apparent Kilrain, instead
OF resting for day or two before the fight
was about in public places. Why, the conf
dence which that man had in his ability to
whip Sullivan was so great that he shifted
many stanch New Orleans admirers of Sullivan
and made them bet on him. The story that
Is all bosh. Now just think of the work which
that man did His brain was working every
second of the fight, and to his generalship was
perhaps due the fact that the fight lasted as
long as it did II was frightful hot day. and
just think of the number of times Kilrain was
knocked or fell down. Think of Mitchell
rushing over and picking up, with the assist
ance OF another second, $50 limp pounds. Was
not that work! Well, when the fight was over,
saw Mitchell He looked pale as a ghost.
His clothing was completely soaked with per-
spiration- He could not have been more
wet il he had fallen into the water with his
clothes on. He was terribly disappointed.
Do you wonder that for a while he went off by
himself? When men are suffering from grief
they sometimes like sympathy, but there was
nobody there to sympathize with him. He was
expected to sympathize with Kilrain. His work
was over; he was defeated and felt disheart
ened- He was almost as badly knocked ont as
kilrain, and he needed the brief rest that he re-
ceived- never knew Mitchell, and don't know
much about him now, but do think he should
receive all the praise in the world for the man
ner In which he handled Kilran He acted
faithfully and honorably. He did his level best
Suilivans blows and Muldoon's training were
what did the business. Sullivan is simply a
wonder-th:t's all / do not think that we will
ever see his like again. He was in his prime
on the morning OF July 8. 1t lies entirely with
himself whether he will continue to be in his
prime for several years to come"
What action, Mr.. Fitzpatrick, do Won think
Gov. Lowry OF Mississippi will take in regard
TO the principals
THAT is a matter that would like to saw n
word about, as i think it will be particularly
appropriate at this time. / think that Gov
Lowry will sift this matter to the very bottom.
My advise to the pugilists in New Orleans was
70 go right to Mississippi and give themselves
up TO the authorities. The day that Sullivan
ieft New Orleans i impressed the Importance
OF TINS on Muldoon- or course we all have a
horror Of jails, but the same time il is better
70 submit TO the inevitable. / went and gave
myself into custody and was promptly baied
mat would have been the proper thing for
Sullivan, Kilrain, and others to do The Longer
they remain away the more difficult will il be 10
bail them when they caught The princi
pals are IN no danger Of arrest at present
do not think that Gov. Lowry will take anv
action In the matter until the grand jury meets
IN October. Then indictments will probably
be secured and the principals will be brought
TO the state and tried. The easiest way il The
best That is why should advise those con-
eerned TO go right down there and settle the
matter as soon possible. The men can be
extradited from any state in the Union and
the Mississippi authorities will follow the
matter 70 the end"
GAG FOR SULLIVAN.
The proprietors Of the Illustrated Ne1cs pre-
sented to Champion John L. Sullivan SATURDAY.
the $4,000 which they had contributed to the
$1,000 stakes put up for Sullivan in his fight
with kilrain. Wakely and Johnston had al
ready presented to Sullivan the other $4,000
which thew had iOintly put nm Tina ,oa1a