The record-union., 1891-07-23
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.
THE HALL-FITZSIMMON FIGHT
DECLARED OFF.
Governor Merriam Says That lie VIII
Prevent Their Meeting at
All Hazards.
Special to the REcoRp-ux1oS.

l N.
ST.. PAUL (Minn.l, July 22.-This city
is full of people interested in the the big
| fight which has been widely advertised
to take place tonight between Fitzsim-
mons and Jim Hall, two Australians.
Sheriff Bean met Governor Merriam
this morning and received instructions
/ that the law must be enforced. and the
Sheriff says he can do nothing but stop
! the tight. This afternoon Governor
Merriam ordered the State militia to be
held in readiness to assist the Sheriff in
enforcing the law. The Governor de-
clares that he will prevent the fight at all
hazards.
THE FIGHT OFF.
The Hall-Fitzsimmons fight will not
take place tonight. In view of the posi-
tive stand taken by Governor Merriam,
the management formally decided to
postpone the fight indefinitely, fearing a
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 to noon to-day it was hoped under
a lair and reasonable execution of the
law, which at most makes prize-fight
mlSdemeanor and felony, as is the case in
many other States, the contest could pro-
ceed and the club have an opportunity to
some extent of recovering its loss The
club asked the Sheriff to be content with
arrestng the 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 instant re-
moval from office if he did not prevent
the fight by every means in the power of
the State, the Sheriff was obliged to no.
tlty the club that he should be on hand
prepared to stop the fight. 1t is also
stated that the Governor has ordered the
First Regiment under arms for the pur-
pose Of assisting the Sheriff. In such
state of things the club could not think of
proceeding with the contest, and as a re-
suit Of the conference in which the Mayor,
Chief of Police, Sheriff, County ATTORNEY
and the club officials took part at noon
to-day, the club threw up the sponge and
declared the fight off. The club loses it's
deposit OF 5000 as forfeit to protect the
contestants, and In addition about S., 600
expended in the construction of big
pavilion and for other necessary ex-
penses.
Under the circumstances the action of
the State authorities is cruel and unjust,
as the fight could and should have been
prevented thirty to sixty days ago before
one dollar of expense had been incurred.
Mayor Smith earnestly urged the
club to go on with the fight, but it was
decided to drop it in order to remove all
possibility of disorder or bloodshed.
''THEo. COwIES
President Minneapolis Athletic Club"
The declaration of the Minnesota Ath-
letic Club that there would be no fight is
final, so far as that club is concerned. and
tho tn thn
are entirely unfounded. AS stated by
President Cowles of the club there has
been much expense, and it would be a
direct loss to them of So, 900, but they
submitted to the legal authorities rather
than to precipitate trouble. and would paw
back the money received for tickets.
1t is certain the fight will not take place
IN this State, but no one now knows
whether it will come off in another State.
1T is reported that the Wisconsin Central
road has train in readiness to take the
fighters and as many of their friends as
can be brought together over into Wis
consin. where the fight can be had on the
turf, but the report is not confirmed.
at a late hour tonight Hall was play-
ing billiards at the hotel and ENJOYING life
generally, apparently with no thought of
any impending conflict Fitzsimmons
also was resting. Parson Davies, Hall's
packer and trainer, says they will remain
here until tomorrow, to give the club
chance of saving the forfeit, but the
chances were that there would be no
fight. This statement was practically re-
iterated by Frank Clark, who backed
FitzSimmons, and others.
Mayor Smith, who emphatically re-
fused to prevent the fight, tonight says
the fight should take place, and the Gov
ernor had no right to call out the militia
for q misdemeanor. The same view is
taken by attorney McCafferty who has
charge Of the defense of Fitzsimmons and
his trainers before the municipal court
4 martial air pervades the atmosphere
surrounding the monster amphitheater
erected for the express purpose of seating
the prospective spectators of the mucil-
talked-of mill. Four companies of the
First Regiment of the State National
Guard, under command of Colonel Bend.
held possession of the grounds, and q
Gordon of 100 sentries surrounded the
building, forming barrier impenetrable.
An Associated Press representative
visited the grounds, and had a personal
interview with Colonel Bend, command
ing. The Colonel laughingly remarked
that he would much rather be somewhere
else, but that his orders We're to guard
the amphitheater and allow no one in
side the building.