Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-22
THE MIDDLE-wEIGHr FIGHT.
Not Much Doubt That It VIII Come on
Tonight.

Not Much Doubt That It VIII Come OF
Tonight.
In Difference to the popular manifestation Of
opinion the st. Paul authorities have made
bluff in the direction Of exhausting their lega
resources to prohibits the glove fight between
James Hall and Robert Fitzsimmons, and nov
nothing stands in the way Of the affair coming
of in accordance with the prearranged pro
gram. Tho bluff was even more pronounced
than on the occasion of the Sullivan-Kilrair
meeting in Mississippi. AS prelude to thai
event portion Of the state militia was called
into service for the purpose of preventing
the proposed participants from boarding
the trains, but they boarded them jus,
the same, and SO, too, Representatives
of tho soldiery of Mississippi were posted al
the state lines. with orders to prevent the
trains from crossing the border. Nevertheless
they crossed. Yesterday moved thereto by
the protests Of one of the largest and most
democratic mass meetings ever held in the
state, and tho urgent pleadings OF such emf
nent ecclesasts as Archbishop Ireland. Gov
Merriam issued proclamation rehearsing the
fact that his attention had been called by
numerous citizens to the contemplated en-
counter. and then proceeded to enjoin upon
all officers whose duty by the law might relate
to the prevention of the commission Of offenses
K,
according to the tenure thereof" and in de-
default to be liable to be dealt with according
to the provisions of the statutes.
Members Of the legal fraternity who we're Mt
once consulted in behalf of the fighters had no
hesitancy in saying that the text of the docu-
ment meant less than nothing, while the mayor
and chief of police gave it out that they were
not subject to the control of the governor of
the state. Sheriff Bean. after taking counsel
with Judge Flandreau. gave 1t out that ''he
would perform his duties.''
This performance took the shape Of sending
deputy to the depot in the afternoon to await
the arrival Of Fitzsimmons and his trainers.
Jimmy Carroll and Barney Smith, from White
Bear lake. The official was accompanied by
Detective Dan Ahern, who had state warrant,
setting forth that Fitzsimmons and his trainers
were about to violate the law, Tho officers
could just as we'll have arrested Hall. who at
this very time was resting quietly at a hotel
not four blocks from the court house, but for
some reason 1t did not suit their purpose to
60 after him.
FITZsIMMoSs ARRESTED.
When, however, the train from the lake rolled
In and Fitz and his friends attired in gorgeous
white flannel shirts, alighted to the platform
they were Immediately bounced on and hurried
In a carriage to police headquarters and thence
to the municipal court, where Judge Carey was
awaiting them. BY this time the news of their
arrest Lau reached the nOtelS and In q very lew
minutes the court room was filled to overflow
Ing. While waiting for the proceedings to
commence titzsimmons nonchalantly chewed a
wad OF gum. Just as soon as the crowd was
large enough to give theatrical air to the pro-
ceedings Chief of Police Clark laid an in
formation charging tho defendants with being
about to engage i'll a breach of peace, and with
out having testimony the justice held Fitzsin-
mons in a bond Of $500, and his associates in
bonds OF 600 each, to appear and answer on
Friday morning. The bonds were quickly
gwen, and with the gaping crowd following at
their heels the trio left the court.
CROWDS ARRIVING.
With each arriving train yesterday fresh de-
tachments were added to the small army of
sports already on the ground. and last night
even corridor cots in the hotels were at pre-
MUM. The predictions of the out-of-town
people are pretty evenly divided between the
two men, while the local sports decidedly in
cline toward Hall. The latter. who arrived
from Beloit in the afternoon was undoubtedly
in excellent shape, and unless his looks belle
him he will give his opponent the fight of his
life. He has not an ounce of superhuous flesh
on his body, his hands are firm as marble and
the veins on his breast and arms stand out like
knotted cords. He looks q couple of inches
taller than FltZsimmons and is rather more
firm on his feet. The betting last night was
800 to $50 on Fitzsimmons the Hall men tax
ing the short end pretty readily.
Over three hundred men and women were at
Gov. Merriam's Office yesterday morning tc
urge prompt action by him. The governor
said that consultation with legal authority had
shown that he had no authority to interfere in
the matter, but he would do what was in his
power. Being informed by Attorney General
Clapp that he could issue a proclamation the
governor did so.
Notwithstanding the organized and strong
opposition to the fight, it seems certain that
IT will come off as announced. The principals
in tine fight will undoubtedly be arrested when
they appear in the ring but will at once give
bonds for their appearance and the fight will
proceed without further interruption
While few of the sporting people now In the
city may be fearful of that fact, the great
majority are confident that they will SEQ great
tight in the amphitheater Of the Minnesota
Athletic Club this evening,