The Delta independent., 1889-08-27
SULLIVAN SENTENCED.
The Champion SIugger Will Spend d
Year Behind the Bars,


PURv1s, Miss, Aug. 17.-In Sulli-
vans trial this morning Attorney Calhoun,
previous to the sentence of Sullivan, ad-
dressed the Court as follows: 1.-The under.
signed members of the Grand Jury en-
paneled at the present term of court, who
tried the case Of the State vs.. John L. Sui
livan, convicted Of prize fighting, respect
fully. show to the Court that, in view Of the
fact that this is the first conviction for the
offense named in this State, and for this
reason they respectfully recommend and
request that your Honor will impose
NO higher penalty than a fine Of 81, 900, and
that no Imprisonment will be inflicted. ."Ed
Davis was the only petit juror who refused
To sign. The grand jurors all signed it, as
well as the sheriff, clerk and officers OF
the Court The justice Of the peace, be.
fore whom the case was first tried (Gen.
Ford), supplemented the petition by few
remarks. He said that he had had an op-
portunity to earn the public feeling aud
sentiment in the matter, and without a sim
gle exception it seemed to be the desire
that the Court exercise as great q degree
clemency as possible.
There was pause, then q stir in the
audience, when the silence was broken by
Sullivan himself The champion turned
up before the bar and, speaking in loud
clear and steady voice, said: "Your
Honor, desire to make a remark. can
only ask for your clemeney in this matter.
No doubt l have done something wrong,
but, as my counsel told you, l was ignor-
ant of the law. / am not as oratorical as
the distinguished District Attorney on my
right or my counsel, who have addressed
you, and therefore beg to remark that
am your humble servant John L. Sulli-
van"
Sullivan sat down and looked at the
court, awaiting his doom. Judge Terrill,
after a moment or two, asked for the petit
ton presented by General Ford. 1t was an
appeal for mercy, and the fact that the
court asked for it was construed as a good
omen. After few minutes inspection he
folded it carefully, laid it on the table, and
said: Stand up, Sullivan" Sullivan
stood up quickly. He threw out his chest
looked cheerful, and had evidently deter
mined upon perfect sef-control.
me that this prize fight at Richburg was q
gross affront to the laws of the State where
the authorities personally forbade It. II
seems to have been accomplished with sys-
tematic arrangement and in the presenSe
of invited thousands. 1t seems on the part
of all connected in it to have been in stud
led disregard and contempt for law. They
came through many States whose <authok
ties and civilization deferred them from
any attempt at such public lawless conduct
within their limits and they chose the
State of Mississippi IS the only fit ground
for such combat, indicating their utter
contempt for the sentiments Of her people
or the laws Of her statute books. The SEN
tence Of the law is that as punishment for
the offense for which you stand convicted
you shall suffer Imprisonment for twelve
months in the county Jail"
Sullivan gloorily took his seat None
of his friends spoke to him then. 1t was
best to leave him to his own reflections.
However, when he got under the railing to
leave the court room he faced the sympa-
thizing crowd with a broad smile.
MERIDIAN, Miss, Aug l7.-On appeal of
the case to the supreme court Sullivan gave
1000 for his appearance and $500 costs. He
left Purvis at 6:S1 pm, accompanied by
his faithful friend, Calhoun. There was .
large crowd at the depot, who bade him
goodbye.