The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-29
WAS A PREARRANGED PLAN,
Scheme of the Duval Club to
Test the Law.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FIGHT.
But FiOrida's Governor Nav Still
Take Steps to Prevent the
Contest.

JACKSONVILLE, Dec. 2S.-Those who
doubted the sincerity of Corbett and
Mitchell in their efforts to pull off the big
fight here in January must give way now
to the stronger evidence Of the facts. The
big fighters to-day voluntarily gave them
selves up to the authorities IN order to fore
stall arrest at later date and to test the
legality of the proposed contest. 1t was
all a prearranged plan and was cleverly
devised and satisfactorily carried out. 1t
had amusing features, too. for Corbett was
not on hand at the appointed hour and
Mitchell ragged and fumed when he dis
covered he had to face the court alone.
Champion Jim had all along viewed ths
possible arrest with feelings akin to hor-
ror, but toward the close OF the afternoon
he came up from his training-quarters and
took the Sheriff's warrant without mur-
mur.
Manager Bowden Of the Duval Athletic
Club has schemed for days and nights so
there might be no Interference. 1t has
been the cherished dream Of the club mag
| mates that the big fight should occur under
the supervision of the Duval Athletic
Club, and right here in Jacksonville. Last
night the officials decided upon final
effort in the plan that had been agreed
| upon. Warrants were procured for the
| arrest of the two pugilists on The ground
that they had agreed to participate in
| fight within the boundaries OF Florida.
Both CorDett and Mitchell were apprised
of the plan. and neither offered an objec-
ton.
! This morning Mitchell was arrested at
the Everett Hotel and taken before Judge
Baker of the County Court. The pugilist
was more than surprised not TO find Cor
bett also in custody, but when informed
by Bowden that Corbett had been sent
! for and would appear during the day he
calmed his troubled spirit. The warrant
was then read 10 him and he Immediately
gave bonds in $500 TO appear before the
criminal court January 2. Bowden and
Charles Richardson, also of the Duval
Club. signed the bond. Mitchell and party
left shortly afterwaTd for his training
| quarters at St. Augustine.
About O'Clock in the afternoon Corbett
came from Mayport Cottage. Jim"
didn't seem to mind the little part he had
to play and looked rugged aud hearty.
Billy Brady was behind him. Delaney
and small coterie of faithful adherents
were also there and accepted Sheriff
| Howard's hospitality. COrbett was also
taken before Judge Baker. where he gave
bonds to appear before the criminal court
January 2. Then they left the court and
declared their Intention of remaining in
Jacksonville until the next morning.
This, the latest move on the part of the
club, was entirely unexpected by outsiders.
On Monday. January !. either Mitchell or
COrbett will be surrendered by the bonds
men. After he has been taken into Gus
tody writ Of habeas corpus will be ap-
piled for. If it is decided the arrest is
| illegal, then the preparations for the fight
will continue with increased vigor, as that
Will be looked on as evidence that no fur
ther opposition to the fight can legally be
made. Ii the arrest is considered legal,
the managers say the battle will be de-
clared off and all work stopped. The
managers are confident, however, the de-
cision will be favorable to them, and this
feeling is shared by a majority of the citi-
zeDs..
| Work on the big arena is being pushed
rapidly forward and tickets for the contest
are being sold in large numbers. Those
| opposed to the fight claim the action of the
Duval Club is simply a blind. r. B.
| Archibald, one of the most prominent OF
| the opposition, said tonight that whether
| the criminal court decided The arrests
illegal or not it would have no hearing on
the case. He said such a decision would
not prevent the stopping of the fight by
the Governor or by the Sheriff. This view
is not shared by the majority. the general
opinion being should the decision of the
court be favorable to the Duval Club
further opposition will necessarily cease.
Prosecuting Attorney Christie and Dis
trict Attorney Hartridge have wired Gov
ernor Mitchell, at present at Tampa, ask
ing him to send Attorney General Lamar
to con duct the case for the people. No
reply has yet been received.
Ii was learned to-day that Sheriff Brow
ard wrote to Governor Mitchell about q
week ago asking what means he should
adopt to stop the fight. So far the Gov
ernor has not replied to the Sherff's letter,
out men who know the Governor are sure
he will order the Sheriff to do all in his
power to prevent the contest. The Cover
nor is very determined man, aud those
who know him best say he will never
allow the contest to take place. Mitchell
went over to st. Augustine this evening
| A special from that place says he is de-
lighted with his quarters.
THE GILBERT ISLANDS.