The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-23
ST. PAUL'S BIG MILL OFF.
THE SHERIFF FORCED To STOP 1T
BY TIE GOVERNOR

The Officer Threateped With Instant
Dismissal If He Failed TO Prevent
the Fight Instructions Given Him
to Call Out the Militia If Necessary.
The Club Gives in.
ST. PAUL, MINI, July 22.-The HALL
Fitzsimmons fight announced for tonight
has been formally declared off A confer
ence between the management of the enter
tainment, and others, which closed at 1;S0
o'clock, resulted in this decision on ac-
count Of the positive action Of Gov.
Merriam in calling on the state militia to
aid the sheriff in enforcing the law and his
order to the sheriff that law must be en-
forced. The management saw that TO at
tempt to carry out their plans would pro-
woke serious trouble, and rather than to
have what promised TO become almost a
riot, they decided to postpone the fight in
definitely.
PRESIDENT CowLEs' STATEMENT.
President Cowles of the Minnesota Ath-
letic Club this afternoon gave the following
statement to the Associated Press:
Up to noon to-day it was hoped that under
fair and reasonable execution of the law, which,
at most, makes a prize HEuJ d ullsueueduOT,
and not a felony, as is the case in many other
states the contest could proceed, and the club
have an opportunity of to some extent covering
its loss The club asked that the sheriff be con-
tent with arresting the principals and putting
them under bonds for future appearance, and
that the law be allowed to take its course after
the event.
THREATENED WITH REMOVAL.
The sheriff was disposed to adopt this policy.
but under threat from the governor of instant
removal from office If he did not prevent the
| fight by any means in the power of the state,
| the sheriff was Obliged to notify the club that
he should be on hand and prepared to stop the
| fight. 1t was also stated that the governor
| had ordered the First regiment uuder
arms for the purpose Of assisting
| the sheriff. In such a state of things the club
could not think of proceeding with the contest,
| and as the result OF a conference. in which the
mayor. the chief of police, sheriff, county at
tornsy and club officials took part at noon to-
day, the club threw up the sponge and declared
| the nght off.
THE CLUBS LOSS.
The club loses the deposit of 5000 as a for
| felt to protect the contestants, and in addition
also $4,000 expended in constructing big pa
vilon and for other necessary expenses
| Under the circumstances the action OF
| the state authorities was cruel and unjust.
as the fight could and should have been pre-
| vented thirty or sixty days ago. before
| dollar of expense had been incurred. Mayor
| Smith earnestly urged that the club go on with
the fight but it~yas decided to drop II in order
to remove all possibility of disorder or blood
| shed. T. Y. CowLEs.
President Minnesota Athletic Club,
| A MARTIAL ATMOSPHERE.
A martial air pervaded the atmosphere
surrounding the monster amphitheater
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 national
guard 200 strong under command Of Col.
William B. Bend held possession of the
grounds and Gordon of 100 sentries sur
rounded the building, forming barrier as
| impenetrable to ingress to the disconsolate
| sports as though the building was in state
of seige.
| HERMETICALLY SEALED.
| The amphitheater was hermetioally
sealed, not a soul being allowed to enter it.
Asked as to his orders, Col. Bend said
The governor. at the request of Sheriff
| Bean, Hordered US out to guard the amphi-
theatre with strict Instructions to allow no
one whatever inside the building. As it is
we are obliged to obey orders and /
am carrying them out to the letter. l have
no idea how long we will be on duty, as
have orders to remain here until relieved
| When that will be do not know, but until
we are ordered of duty no one whatever
will be allowed to enter the ampitheater.n