The morning call., 1891-07-23
GUARDED BY TROOPS
Precautions to Prevent the HALL
FitzsimmOnS Mill.
The Athletic Club Finally Compelled to
Declare the Fight Oh.
The Immense Anphltheater Erected for the
Exhibition Surrounded by Large
Force Of State Militia.
special TO THE MORNING CALL

ST. PAUL (Minn.), July 22.-This city is
full of people Interested in the big fight
which has been widely advertised to take
place tonight between Fitzsimmons and
Jim Hall, two Australians. Sheriff Bean
met Governor Merriam this morning and
rec eived instructions that the law must be
enforced. This afternoon Governor Mer-
riam ordered the State militia TO be held in
eadiness to assist the Sheriff In enforcing
the law. In view of the positive stand
taken by the Governor the management this
afternoon formally decided to postpone the
fight indefinitely, fearing riot should an
effort be made to carry out the programme
President Cowles OF the Minnesota
Athletic Club this afternoon gave the fol-
lowing statement TO the Associated Press:
Up 10 noon to-day 1t was hoped under fair
and reasonable execution Of the law, which at
most makes prize fight a misdemeanor and
felony, as IS the case in many other States, the
contest could proceed and the club have an op-
portumty 20 some extent of covering its loss.
The club asked the Sheriff 10 be content with
arrestmg lhe principals and putting them under
bonds for future appearance, and that the law
would be allowed TO take its course after the
event. The Sheriff was disposed to adopt this
policy, but under threat from the Governor OF
the fight by every means in the power OF the
State tie Sheriff obliged to notify the cu b
that he should be ON hand prepared 10 stop The
fight. II Is also stalled the Governor has
ordered the First Regiment under 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 a result of The conference, In which the
Mayor. Chief OF Police, Sheriff, County Attorney
and the club officials took part al noon to-day,
the club threw lid the sponge and DECLARED the
light on. The club loses It's deposit Of $4,000 as
folf, II to protect the contestants. and in add-
tlon about $4,000 expended in the construction
OF a big pavilion and for other necessary ex-
penses.
Under the circumstances the actlon of the
could and should Lave been prevented lhlfty TO
sixty days ago. before one dollar Of expense had
Mayor Smith earnestly urged The club to 20 on
with The fight. but II decided TO drop it in OF
der 10 remove all possibility of disorder or blood
shed. THE. CowLEs,
President Minneapolis Athletic Club.
The declaration of the Minnesota Athletic
Club that there would be no light was final,
so far as that club is concerned, and
the many wild rumors to the contrary are
entirely unfounded. AS stated by President
Cowles of the club, there has been a great
expense to the club and they will lose
$4,000, but they submitted 10 the legal
authorities rather than precipitate trouble,
and will pay back the money received for
tickets. 1t is certain the fight viii not take
place in this State, but no one now knows
whether it Will come off IN another State or
not. 1t Is reported that tue Wisconsin Cen
trail Road has train in readiness to take
the lighters and as many OF their friends
can be brought together over into Wiscon-
sin where the fight will take place on the
turf. But the report Is not confirmed
AT late hour tonight Hall was play
ing billiards at hotel aud enjoying life gen.
orally, apparently with no thought of any
impending conflict. FitZsimmons also was
Davis Halp. a
trainer, says they will remain there until
tomorrow to give the club a chance of
saving the forfeit, but the chances were
that there would be no fight This state
ment vas practically reiterated by Frank
Shaw, Clark, WHO backed FItZslmmons, and
others.
Mayor Smith, who emphatically refused
to prevent the fight, tonight says the fight
should take place, and the Governor had no
right to call out the militia for a miSde-
meanOr. The same view is taken by Attor-
ney McCaflerty, who has charge OF the de-
Tense of FitZsimmouB and his trainers before
the municipal court. a martial air pervadcs
the atmosphere surrounding the monster
amphitheater erected for the express pur-
pose OF seating the prospective spectators Of
the much-talked-Of mill.
Four companies OF the First Regiment,
State National Guard, under cUmmaId of
Colonel Bend, held possession OF the
grounds and a Gordon of 100 sentries sur
rounded the building, forming an impene-
trable barrier. An Associated Press rep
resentatve visited the grounds and had a
personal interview with Colonel Bend COM
mnndng. The Colonel laughingly re-
marked that he would much rather be some
where else, but that his orders were to
guard the amphitheater and allow no one
inside the building.
Governor Merriam late this evening said !;
The fight will not be allowed to take place
in Ramsey County, and furthermore,
want 1t distinctly understood that 1t will
take place. nowhere within the State of
Minnesota" This was accepted by the
management of the club and put Qufe tus
on the whole affair