The morning call., 1891-02-24
LA BLANCHE ON TRIAL
The Evidence Thus Far Looks
Bad for the Marine"
Lean, the Wrestler, Tells About the Drinks.
A Private Detective Who Heard Few
Things-Ls Blanches Denial.

A large number of the members of the
California Athletic Club were present last
night at the meeting called to investigate
the late La Blanche-AIitchell fight" and
President Fulda presided. The two princi-
pals were also present and occupied eats in
front of the Board of Directors while
Thomas Riordan conducted the inquiry.
On calling the meeting to order MIR. Fulda
stated that he desired to briefly explain the
reasons for calling the members together.
"We DESIRE" he Said, ''to investigate
matter that, il common rumor and unanim-
ity of opinion be of any Importance, is most
vital to the interests of this association"
He then proceeded to say that after ex-
pending a large sum of money to get the
club on its feet once more, those whom they
had assisted were the first to cause grave
suspicious to be aroused a great deal of
evidence had been secured. but more would
arrive, aud without making any accusations
against La Blanche, Mr.. Fulda related his
connection with the club. He went on to
show how the former had been befriended
and how he had been warned to break his
associations with the gamblers and pool
sellers with whom he had been at times on
terms Of too great intimacy.
A RUMoRED FAKE"
The first witness called was AL Lean, the
wrestler, who stated that on the afternoon
of the day of the fight he had gone to Sausa-
Tito to meet La Blanche i'll the interest of
certain gentlemen, whose names he did not
give. Had met him with bis trainers at the
ferry-landng at Sausalito and had crossed
the bay with him. Asked La Blanche
about the fight, and lntimated that a rumOr
was rife that the match was fake"
La Blanche replied that he W ould show
them whether it was fake" or not, but
WOuld say nothing more.
On the way over the party took drink at
the bar on the boat, and La Blanche filed a
glass two-thirdS full of gin and drank it all.
On their arrival here all got into carriage
and drove to the Grand Hotel, where La
Blanche registered and was given five or
six kilograms. Witness had no knowledge
of their contents. He waited while La
Blanche got shaved, and then went with
HIM to the Hamm am bath-house, where La
Blanche drank three more glasses of gin,
taking a large quantity at each time Did
not go into the hot-room with La Blanche,
but saw several men whom he did not
know go in and remain for some little time.
A BREEZE AND YELLOW KIDS.
At this point Captain Marshall arose and
said that all Directors who had backed La
Blanche with thei. money be excluded from
participation in the investigation, which
drew down upon him scathing rebuke from
Major Mclaughlin. The latter stated openly
that he had placed his money on the losing
end and he thought was man enough TO ac-
cept the result like philosopher. He saw
nothing wrong in what he had done, and
would do the same again.
President Fuda was of the opinion that
the fact that few members had bet ON the
fight would not warp their Judgment, and
he accordingly ruled the Captain out of
order.
The latter toyed with his yellow kids
thcughtfully for q moment and then sub
sided.
sHADowING THE FAKIR.
NJ. MatlOck, special police officer, was
then called and testified that he had been
employed TO look after La Blanche on the
day Of the fight by Directors Vice and
Gibbs.
In substance, he said: 81 went to the
ferry landing and waited for the arrival of
the party from Sausalito. The man who
drove me knew La Blanche, and asked me
to allow him to drive me up town, which l
did. / rode on the box to the Grand Hotel,
where l introduced myself 10 George and
gave him letter / had to him. He was
handed several kilograms, which he read
aside, and then passed into the barber-Shop,
where | accompanied him. While he was
seated in the chair, young man entered
whom do not know, and after talking in
low tone OF voice for some minutes, heard
La Blanche tell him TO 90 down to the pool
rooms and buy all he could get.
DIRECTOR FISH AND A TICKET.
uo 1Oule illdu lutu WtuL Oul,
and Director Fish came in and held short
consultation with La Blanche. In con-
clusion, the former said: George. If you
want ticket to Chicago, you know where
you can get it at any time
Mr.. Fish interrupted the witness by deny
ing that he made such 4 remark, but on APP
pealing to La Blanche to SubStantiate him,
the latter stated that he had said SO, and
MI. Fish was compelled to admit that some
such remark might have been made.
Matlufk Then QHfaila1 the visit IN fhp
baths, aud confirmed what Lean had said
about the gin drunk by La Blanche.
The two fighters were asked to retire from
the room. and Dir. Piercy. young man who
was down on the p0ol-r0oms, charged that
the cry OF fake" had originated with the
Board OF Directors.
A long, and at times acrimonious wrangle
followed, and Dr.. Leek stated, with consid-
cradle emphasis, that some fifteen mem bers
Of the club had complained to him and
he had requested meeting to be called, as q
great many members had threatened to leave
the club If some action was not taken.
ALL BELIEVE II FAKE"
Hiram b. Cook gave it as his opinion that
80 per cent OF the members of the club be-
lieved that the fight was "fake'-in fact,
he did not believe there was single mem-
Der of the club who did not so believe.
La Blanche was called in, and denied that
he had sold the fight. Had written to sew
eral friends in Boston, New York and Dem
yer While IN training, but had said nothing
about making any bets.
He was asked if he had not, ON February
18th, written letter to Il friend to bet on
Mitchell, and telegraphed him how much,
but this he also denied. The telegrams re-
ceived at the Grand Hotel, he claimed, were
merely of friendly nature, and would in
no way criminate him. In reply to an in
quiry as to why he drank the gin. he said it
was because he had eaten nothing and was
a trifie nervous
YOUNG MITCHELL TESTIFIES.
Mitchell was then put On the rack, and
stated that theatrical mar ager named
Morrissey had come to his training quarters
and had asked him to Sign a contract TO give
the loser $500. This he refused to do, but
thought little of it at the time. La Blanche
had written him letter several years ago
from Butte, Mont. asking HIM to make a
match and that any terms would be satisfac-
tory. This lie did not reply to.
MIR. Fulda then stated that some complaint
had been made about La Banche's drinking
before the fight, but he had not thought it Of
sufficient impertance-to take any notice of it.
When the fight ended as it did, however,
he had felt very much downhearted, as did
Mr.. Cook, but he tried to put as cheerful
face on matters as possible.
DECISION WITHHELD.
No further evidence being Forthcoming.
the Board of Directors retired into executive
session, and, alter a few minutes spent in
consultation, announced that the decision
would be withheld until Tuesday evening.
a., y