The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-16
PLEADS NOT GUILTY.
Sullivan's Trial for Prize-Fighting Before a
Mississippi Jury.

PURvIs, Miss. Aug. 15.-The jury was
completed after considerable delay and
Sullivan placed on trial.
stand up. John l.. Sullivan" said Dis
trict Attorney Neville.
Sullivan stood up and looked straight at
Mr.. Neville as the latter read the indict-
ment. "What say you, John l.. Sullivan.
guilty or not guiltyW
"NOt guilty. replied Sullivan. with en-
phasis, in clear voice. He then sat down,
and the trial was begun in earnest. He
paid strict attention to the proceedings
during the day, but offered no comments.
leaving MIR. Lionel Adams who represents
the fight, to suggest questions to ex-At-
torney general Ford. who conducted the
cross-examination for the defense. The
witnesses were all sworn together-there
We're none for the defense.
The first witness examined was Mai. w.
w. Robinson. He went to Richburg on the
morning of July s, arriving there before
daylight; was a deputy sheriff; saw the ring
account of what took place, describing the
occurrences IN the ring, the arrival of trains
loaded with men. etc. He mentioned the
circumstances of Harding handing Kilrain
roll of money, saying it was $1,000. pres
ent from Fox; that it was put up in Referee
Fitzpatrick's hands and covered by Sulli-
van with another $1,000. Fitzpatrick was
referee: kilrain, Sullivan and seconds
hands. Kilrain and Sullivan then stripped
and went at it,. They fought with their
fists and wrestled. Kilrain threw Sullivan
and the. men were picked up and taken to
their corners. They rested until Referee
Fitzpatrick called time. when the men
came forward and fought again. The fight
lasted two hours and eighteen minutes,
and about seventy-five rounds were fought
Did they hit each other!" asked Mr.. Ne
Vile
Hit" said Robinson, "look at Sullivan's
eve" lLaughter.l
Witness then described the injuries re-
ceived by the men from the blows.
About the last round. Mitchell ran
Sullivan as he was coming back; Mr.. Dono-
van threw up sponge, and Fitzpatrick
said something about Sullivan winning
The crowd rushed into the ring and hugged
Sullivan and kissed him. They raved like
maniacs. and carried him away on their
shoulders
On cross-examinatiOn, the witness said
the rings were square, and looked more like
pens; he never saw such rings before. Wit
ness said the fight was in Marion county,
but on crOss-examinatiOn admitted he
could not exactly locate the battle ground,
and does not know where the county line
Is Witness testified that he saw Sullivan
jump on kilrain with his knees, and af-
IlTIieU positively InaU SulllNanS 3 knees
touched Kilraln's body.
L. X. White, foreman of the grand jury,
was the next witness, his testimony substan-
italy corroboraing that of the first witness.
Could not swear that Richburg is in
Marion county. but has been told so. Saw
Sullivan and Kilrain put into Fitzpatrick s
hands what appeared to be money; was too
far away to tell whether it was counterfeit
money or not.
j. 5. Holleman testifed-Was at the
fight. The land upon which the fight cook
place was his property in former years. and
he knew it was in Marion county. Witness
stated that after the bet was made Sulli-
van and Kilrain slxylarked in the ring until
the sponge was thrown up. To him they
appeared to be fighting willingly. A few of
Sullivan's licks on Kllrain were heard by
witness, but Kilrain fell and lodged
around SO many times that it was
or not Sullivan fell down only
once. Witness said. / don't think there
was as much damage done in the fight as
in an everyday common stand-up-and
drag-out fight. 1 did not consider it a
square stand-up fight. because Kilrain did
not stand up fair and square. Witness of
his own. knowledge did not know that it
was priZe-fight.
j. Hinton, grand juryman, was the fourth
witness called. His testimony was unim-
portant.
Sheriff.. w. Cowart testified witnessed
the fight at Richburg. 1t was prize-fight
between Sullivan and Kilrain.
j. w. Smith. Sullivan's host at Richburg,
testified to Sullivan staying at his house,
and driving over to the ring next morning.
Here the State rested their case, and as
there are no witnesses on the other side, it
WAS agreed that the case go over until to-
morrow at $50. The iurymen were placed
in charge of two bailiffs, and Will sleep to-
night on the benches in the courtroom.