New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-23
4 BRUTAL EXHIBITION STOPPED.
GOVERNOR MERRIAM's REsoIETE ACTION PRE-
VENTS THE HALL-FITZsIM MMoNs FIGHT
IN CT pArI

IN ST. PAUL.
st. Paul, July 22.-The Hall-Fltzsimmons ngnt, an
nounced for tonight formally declared on. a
conference between the mahagers Of the affair and
Others, which closed at 80 O'clock resulted in this
decision account of the action Of Governor Merriam
In calling on the State militia TO aid the Sheriff IN
enforcing the law, and his order TO the Sheriff that the
law must be enforced. The management saw that the
attempt TO carry out their plans would provoke serious
trouble aud rather than have what promised to become
almost riot they decided to postpone the fight in
definitely.
President Cowles, Of the Minnesota Athletic Club
made the following statement:
Up to noon today ii was hoped that under a fair
and reasonable execution Of the law which makes
przehght mlsdemeanor and not u felony, as Is the
in many other states the contest could proceed
and the club have the opportunity OF TO some extent
covering It's loss The cub asked that the sheriff be
content with arrestng the principals and putting them
under bond for future appearac ana that the law DC
allowed to take its course after Tho event Inc Sheriff
disposed to adopt this policy, but under Ihreat
from the Governor Of instant removal from once II
he did not prevent the fight by any means In the power
that he should be on hand prepared to stop the tgh
II was also stated that the Governor had ordered the
the Sheriff In such state Of things the club could
not think of proceeding with the contest, and as the
Police. Sheriff. County Attorney and the club officials
took part at noon day, the club threw up the sponge
Of SO 600 as forfeit 70 protect the contestants and in
addition also the 50 900 expended In constructing ule
pavilion, and for other necessary
the circumstances, the action OF the state authorities
have been prevented thirty to sixty days ago, before
dollar of expense had been incurred. Mayor smith
earnestly urged that the club 60 on with the fight but
II was decided 10 drop 1t In order 10 remove All posi-
hIlity OF disorder or boOdShed. ]. COWLES,
0'' President Minnesota Athletic Club.
At late hour tonight Hall was playing billiards
at the Metropolitan Hotel. apparently with no thought
Of an impending conflict with Fitzsimmons or the
sheriff. Fitzsmmons also resting. instead OF
lighting the battle for which he had prepared Par
SOM Davies IInls hacker and trainer says That they
viii remain here until tomorrow, TO give the club
chance of saving the forfeit of $1,000 or Sl5OO to
each fighter by bringing off the fight but that the
chances were 300 10 nickel there would De no ngnt
This statement Is practically reiterated D FRANK ehd"'
Clark who backed Fitzsimm0ns, ana others. ,
Judge McAfcrty, prosecuting attorney, says the
Governor transcribed his powers In calling out the
militia that this simply msdemeanor, whereas
the Governor considered it q felony. FRANK ShaW.
who engineered the articles Of the fight and organized
the Minnesota Athletic Club, where the fight was TO
be held. says that the Governor now has his troops
quartercd in the clubs pavilion and has driven out
onr Watchman who had been placed there to guard
onr nr0perty At IL O'Clock tonight the troops arc
encamped where the fight should have taken place
FOnr companies of the 1st Regiment OF the State Ma
tional Guard, 200 strong, under command or Coonei
William b. Bend held possession of the grounds, ana
Gordon of 100 sentries surrounded the building, FORM
inc barrier as mpenetrabe to the ingress OF discon
solae sports as though the building was in stage OF
siege The amphitheatre was hermetcauy sealed, nOs
a sonl being allowed to enter 1t.