Evening journal., 1891-07-23
THE FIGHT A BIG FIzZLE
Law and Order Are on Top in
St. Paul.
NEW ORLEANS SPORTS MAKE A BID.
they Want Fitzsimmons and Hall to
Contest Before the Olympic Club for "a
$4,000 Purse within Ten Days-Both
Pugliists Arc Greatly Disappointed.


$4,000 Purse within Ten Days-Both
Pugliists Are Greatly Disappointed.
ST. PAUL, July e8.-After four days Of
stout contention against the hosts OF NOR
al reformers who took up arms against
the proposed fight between Bob Fitzsim-
mons and Jim Hall, the Minnesota Ath-
letio club was forced TO surrender and de-
clare the fight Off This conclusion was
not reached until the club had exhausted
every means Of securing an adjustment,
aud not until the sheriff had announced
his intention TO prevent the fight at any
and all hazards and the governor had or
dered four military companies under arms
to assist the sheriff did the club weaken
and consent to be counted out.
The club had for twenty days ad-
vertised to the world its purpose to give
purse OF $4,000, and in the belief that
there was no law which forbade glove con-
tests, being so advised in writing by well
known lawyer of this city, proceeded to
erect a temporary pavilion at a cost Of
about 5000
Widely known and Published.
All this was widely published and thor
oughly known to the state, municipal au-
thorities, and the people generally Not
voice was lifted In protest against the con.
test until last Monday, when the people
held an indignation meeting.
Even then it was not known that the
fight could. be legally prevented, but some
body fished up statute passed Ia the ses-
sion OF the Legislature OF 1888, which was
neither indexed nor classified in the pub
lished laws, and so had been entirely over
looked by everybody. For the first time
the Minnesota Athletic club learned on
Monday that It was proceeding contrary
TO law. Tuesday night occurred two prize
fights-Kemmie and Murphy at the
Olympic theater in st. Paul, and the Black
Pearl aud Joe Ellingsworth in Mime
apolis.
Not a finger was lifted to prevent either
of these events. The Minnesota Athletic
club protested against such apparently un-
fair discrimination, but all to no purpose.
Brought Him 20 ISIS Knees.
But the religious element was deter
mined to stop the big battle ifpossible. The
mayor was disposed TO side with the club,
and to committees which waited upon him
declared that the Hall Fitzsimmons fight
should not be interfered with. Then the
opponents Of the fight turned their batter
iea on Governor Merriam. Three days ago
the governor said he should not interfere,
because to do 40 under auch circumstances
would be grossly unfair, and he expressed
the hope that the fight would come of.
He even expressed a strong desire to be
present, but thought II would be unbe-
coming TO do So Monday nights mass
meeting brought him 10 HIS knees, and on
Tuesday he issued proclamation calling
upon the state officers to prevent any in
fraction Of the law. This placed the strain
on Sheriff Bean
The sheriff Appealed To.
The sheriff was asked by the club Off.
GERS to be moderate and reasonable EN-
force the law" said they, but don't strain
1t to our injury and loss. Arrest the prin-
cipals in the ring II you will, and we will
give bonds on the spot, and 20 on with
tine fight" This was the understanding
on Tuesday night but Wednesday the
church committee got after the sheriff
again. He went TO the governor for ad.
vice, and the governor told him 70 obel
orders and stop the fight
Later IN the day the governor threatened
~ nEkOrt httA II uE AhilCu 10 10 Ills Iuli
duty, az the same time ordering four mill
tia companies TO be in readiness to assist
the sheriff.
The Fight Declared on.
A meeting OF the sheriff, county attor.
ney and the club officers was held When
informed of the situation, and fully con.
vinced that the sheriff had not the courage
to do his duty in his own way, but was
bound 20 break up the fight, the club then
abandoned all attempts to bring of the
fight
FitEsImmons Was Very Angry.
The news that the fight had been de
clared of was received by the principals
shortly after IL was made. Fitzsimmona
was In bed at the house Of retired banker
in one Of the most fashionable quarters Of
the city when he was told there would be
no fight Fitzsimmons was furious He
declared il was trick Of Halls to get out
OF meeting him. II want 20 wipe out old
sores" said Fitzsimmons, land / will
never have such an opportunity again.
cannot believe II Is of, anyhow. will
stay in training until / hear positively
that there is no chance to fight.n
When assured that there would be no
fight for as least another day Fitzsimmons
SAAe@ So AAHAA mAeh AafAAAA o7nNa AAA R1AANN
TO interfere "Why, l viii go out now and
fight him for ten dollars or ten cents, ol
anything, or will fight him for Si2, 900
side and put up my own money. l will
fight him by any kind Of rules want tc
wipe out that Australian defeat. would
have no trouble with him whatever
know it. ! am positive that be would have
no chance to stay ten rounds with me 10
my present condition -
Hall Disappointed, Too
Hall felt fully as much disappointed at
the announcement, but he did not talk as
bitterly as Fitz He simply said: Il am at
154 pounds, and am feeling good. 1t took
some work 10 get down there, but / am
there and am strong.
II am sorry there will be no fight after
have put in five hard weeks at training Il
is too bad. That purse IS a great one, and
l would like TO have had chance to show
Americans what / can do. l am an Amer
lean myself now, as intend to make
Chicago my future home"
The Olympic Clubs oner.
NEW ORLEANS, July 23-The Olympic
club, Of this city, have authorized their
representative in st. Paul to make Fitz-
simmons and Hall liberal offer to meet