The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-23
THE FIGHT IS OFF.
aoyernor of Minnesota Calls
Out the Militia.
e. pAuL.s MAYOR ovERRULED.
u.lI sud Fitssimmons, the Fskirs, VIII
r,ks the Forfeit-Chariey Mitchell
Furnishes Drunken s1ayin.

p.rr. JuIy 22-The -Fitzsirnmons
-, Ala ,,os take place tonight In view of the
.s.;stve stand taken by Governor Merriam, the
+ s.sn.remeut this afternoon formally decided to
.,~snone he dght indefinitely, fearing q riot
3 sbouId a effort be made to carry out the pro-
efamms.
r1rs rho II also managing editor of the Pioneer
pv..s3 esye the following statement to the As
sociesrd Press this afternoon:
~ - noon today IL was hoped that under q
Cd and reasonable execution OF the law, which
q rost makes q priZerghta misdemeaaor, and
~ felony as in the case OF many other states,
~rnorfruity TO some extent OF covering its loss
~ club asked the sheriff to be content with
nresting the principals, putting them under
Kinds ior future appearance, and that the law
- allowed to take its course alter the event
re sheriff was disposed to adopt this policy, but
ruder the threat of the governor OF instant
srn0val from Office If he did not prevent the
AIT By any means in the power ofthe state, the
eherif was obliged to notify the club that he
xould be on band prepared TO stop the fight
q also stated that the governor had ordered
ne First regiment under arms for the purpose
a assisting the sheriff. In such a state of
fhfngs the club could not think of proceeding
With the contest, and as the result of q confer
eure In which the mayor, chief OF police, sheriff,
nyuaty attorney and club officials took part, At
noon today, the club threw up the sponge and
decIared the fight of. The club loses its de-
poait Of $500 a. forfeit to protect the contest
oufD, and in addition about 5000 expended in
The construction Of the big pavilion and for
ether necessary expenses. Under the circum-
stances the action of the state authorities 10
eTusl and unjust, as the fight could and should
hare been prevented thirty to sixty days ago,
hfofe dollar of expense had been incurred.
Mayor Smith earnestly urged the club to 90 on
With the fight, but Ii was decided to drop il IN
s5dss e remove al possibility Of disorder or
President Minnesota Athletic Club.
The declaration of the Minnesota Athletic
Club that there would be no fight was final 80
far ~ that club was concerned, and the many
Wild rumors to the contrary are entirely I'M
founded. As stated by President Cowles, Of the
club, there has been heavy expense, and there
would be direct loss to them of $4,000, but
they submitted TO the legal authorities rather
than precipitste trouble, and would pay back
the money received for tickets. 1t is certain the
fght viii not take place In this state. but no
one knows now whether &c will come off in au-
other state. 1t is reported that the Wisconsin
Central road has train in readiness to take the
fighters and many of their friends as can be
brought together over into Wisconsin, where
The fight will be held on the turf, but the report
= not confirmed
At Q late hour tonight Hall was playing bill
hsrds at q hotel and enjoying life generally,
apparently with no thought of any impending
conflict. Fitxsimmons was also resting. Pas
con Davies. Halls hacker and trainer, says they
will remain here until tomorrow TO give the
club . chance of saving the forfeit, but the
chances were that there would be no fight
This statement was practically reiterated by
Frank Shaw Clark, who backed Fitzsimmons,
and others.
Mayor Smith, who smphatically refused TO
prevent the fight, tonight says the fight should
have taken place and the governor had no right
10 call ont the militia for n misdemeanor The
same view il taken by Attorney MeCafferty,
who has charge of the defense of Fitzsimmons
and his trainers before the principal court.
Amsrtial air pervades the atmosphere sur
rounding the monster amphitheatre erected for
the express purpose of seating the prospective
spectators of the much talked-of mill. -Four
companies of the First regiment of the State
Bend held possession of the grounds, and a COR
don OF 100 sentries surrounded the building,
forming barrier impregnable An Associated
Press representative visited the grounds and
had q personal interview with Colonel Bend,
The colonel lsughinely said he
would much rather be somewhere else, but
his orders were to guard the amphitheatre and
allow no one inside the building.
Governor Merriam, late this evening, said:
'The fight will not be allowed to take place In
Ramsay county, and furthermore, want it dis
tinctly understood that IL will take place no.
where within the state Of Minnesota" This was
accepted by the management of the club, and
put quietus on the whole affair.