The herald., 1893-12-29
.SLUGGERS ARE SINCERE.
COrbett and Mitchell Mean
Business.
They Surrender Themselves to
the Sheriff.
The Object Is to Make Test Of the
Florida Law.
II the Dccision Is Favorable the Fight
VIII Be Pulled OF In Jackson
villo-Othcrwise 1t VIII Be
Declared on.
From Associated Press special correspondent

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Dec. 2S.-Those
who doubted the sincerity of Corbett
aud Mitchell to pull off the big fight
here in January, must give way now to
the stronger evidence OF facts. The big
fighters today voluntarily gave them
selves up to tie authorities in order to
forestall their arrest at later date, and
tes. the legality OF the proposed contest.
All OF the prearrsnged plan was cleverly
and satisfactorily carried out. 1t had
it's amusing features, too, fer Corbett
was not on hand at the appointed hour,
and Mitchell ranged and fumed when
he discovered he had to face the court
alone. Champion Jim had all along
viewed his possible arrest with feelings
akin to horror, but towards the close of
the afternoon he came up from his
training quarters and took the sheriff 3
warrant without murmur.
MANAGER BowDEN's PLAN.
Manager Bowden of the Duval Ath-
letjc club has schemed for days and
ence. 1t has been the cherished dream
of the club magnates that the big
fight should occur under the supervision
Of the Duval Athletic club right here in
Jacksonville. Last night the officials
decided upon final effort. Warrants
were procured Tor the arrest Of the two
pugilists on the ground that they had
agreed to participate in fight within
the boundaries OF Florida. Both Cor.
bett and Mitchell were apprised OF the
plan and neither offered an objection.
MITCHELL ARRESTED.
This morning Mitchell was arrested at
the Everett hotel and taken before
Judge Baker of the county court. The
pugiist was more than surprised not to
find Corbett alec in custody, but when
informed by Bowdeu that Corbett had
been sent for and would appear during
the warrant az tiieh iv troubled sPlHIfd
ne immediately gave bonds In $500 TO
appear before the criminal court, Jam
uary ID Bowden and Charles Richard
son, also Of thesDnyal club. signed the
bond. Mitchell and party lett shorely
aiterward for his training quarters at
st. Augustine.
CoRBhTT COMES UP SMILING.
About A O'Clock this afternoon Corbett
came from Mayport cottage. Jim did
not seem to mind the little part he had
to play: he looked rugged and hearty,
Billy Brady was behind him. Delaney
and small coterie OF faithful adherente
were alec there and accepted Sheriff
Howard's hospitality with the Gu stomary
grace. Corbett was also taken before
Judge Baker, where he gave bonds to
appear before the criminal court Janua-
ry I'd, Then they left the court and de-.
clared their intention of remaining in
Jacksonville until next morning.
THE NEXT STEP.
This last move on the part of the man
ayers Of the club was entirely unex.
pected by the outsiders. Monday, JAM
uary let, either Mitchell or Corbett will
be surrendered bv his boDdemen. After
he has been tal en- into custody writ
OF ,hsbeas corpus will be applied for. If
IL is decided the arrest is illegal, then
preparations Tor the fight will continue
with increased vigor, as that will be
looked on as evidence that no further
opposition to the fight can legally be
made. Ii the arrest ls considered legal,
the managers say the battle will be de-
clared off and all work stopped. The
managers are confident, however, that
the decision will be favorable to them,
and this feeling is shared by majority
of the citizens.
Work on the big arena is being pushed
rapidly forward and tickets for the con-
test are being sold in large numbers.
SIMPLY A BLIND.
Those opposed to the fight claim the
action of the Duval club is simply a
blind. z. B. Archibald, one OF the most
prominent of the opposition, said to-
night whether the criminal court de-
cided the arrests were illegal or not.
would have no bearing on the case. He
said such decision would not prevent
the stopping of the fight by Governor
Mitchell or by the sheriff. This view is
not shared by the majority OF the attor-
neys, the general opinion being that.
should the decision' of the court rs
favorable to the Duval club, further
opposition will necessarily cease. Pros
ecuting Attorney Christie and District
AttoEny Partridge have wired Governor
Mitchell, at present in Tampa, asking
him to send Attorney-Genera Lamar to
conduct the case for the people. No
reply mas yet been received.
THE GovRRNoR's FIRMNEss.
1t was learned today that Sheriff
Howard wrote Governor Mitchell about
a week ago, asking what means he
would adopt to stop the fight. So far
the governor has. not replied to the
sheriff's letter, but men who know the
governor are sure he will order the
sheriff to do all in his power to prevent
the contest. The governor is very
determined man and 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 !, delighted with his quarters.
A line Of fine cut glass bottles and
m q nj ianra cofo ftyot raoasxxoa ,k<lo