The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-09

(6nOWluS lnclI IciddNt hI4ShtSI
win 49, 900 irstead Of $4,000 at the ring
side, as Corbett. being the champion OF
America and the conqueror Of the re-
nowned John l.. Sullivan. would certainly
enter the ring a 2 to 1 favorite. Mr..
Baird was a shrewd. keen business man
as well as a thorough sportsman, and
he at once grasped my point and sub
sided.
Baird, be II known. was a warm ad-
mirer OF the undaunted gladiator ana
lion hearted man of men, John l.. Sulli-
van. When that king Of fighters. broken
down in health and q wreck OF his
former self, went down before the youth
full and lucky Corbett. Baird was deeply
chagrined. Not that he cared a JOt for
the money he had lost on Sullivan, which
was Ia the neighborhood of 400 600, but
he felt grieved that SO grand a man as
Sullivan should be caught In his pugilistic
old age by a shrewd manager and no
less cunning fighter. just as the aged and
inhrm king OF the forest. the Numidian
lion. IS shared and set upon by the in
feriOr beasts Of the jungle.
Even after the defeat of Sullivan Squire
Abingdon was continually after me 10 do
battle with his conqueror. lie believed
that / could whip him, and was never
satisfied until 1 had made oVertures for
a match. When that match was finally
consummated Baird was the happiest man
alive.
The real. genuine friendship and respect
Squire Abingdon had for John l.. Sulli-
van were shown at st. Louis a few weeks
ago when 'Sully" and l patched up our
differences and made up. Baird was, as
a rule. undemonstrative and possessed
superb self-control. When, however, Sui
Ivan and / walked down hand in hand
10 the footlights he gave way 10 the most
Joyous applause and led the cheering
which followed. When Sullivan spoke in
terms OF eulogy of your humble servant
and wished him success in the coming
contest, Baird could hardly contain him
self any longer. and rushed to shake
John l.. by the hand heartily, right then
and there, even in the midst Of the great
Bostonian's speech-making.
Now a final word regarding my $4,000
deposit already up TO figat COrbett. Some
people. the facetious Mr.. Co.bett among
them, affect 10 believe that the relatives
OF my dead friend viii claim that 10000
when his estate is settled up. The idea
Is a corker The estate Of George Alex
ander Baird is wortl, anywhere from
S5.OOo,Oo up, and 10000 is a mere baga-
teile In comparison. Baird's relatives
would not disgrace his memory by suing
Tor such a palty sum. Besides. 1t would
40 them no good OF they did. George
Alexander Baird rave me that $4,000 to
place on myself. the understanding being
that In case / defeated Corbett | was
TO have the $4,000 stake money. besides
the 10000 or $50. 900 purse. or whatever
purse should be offered for the contest.
NO. there is no fear Of the match not
going on FOR any lack OF side bets.
III Us with extreme regret that | leave
TOT England. am completely overrun
WIf "a -
In America to attend to. When | speak
OF business affairs l do not refer TO any
attempts az acting. taking or masquerad-
ing In anything but my true guise. What
really mean is that l have real business
matters 10 look after, the same as any
broker In Wall or Broad street. or any
merchant in the dry goods district. III
Iet other Champions attend TO "%acting"
'ISh as Nenteman jack and tn like.
VIII stay In England until September
and do little il any work there. as I be-
Heve 100 much work makes a man stiff
ana stale. i will be back in America the
hrst week I'm September and, train three
months assiduously near the club houea
"here the contest will occur. | viii get
ihto me finest possible shape for battle
~ NIL nave no excuses 10 offer should
- u az 20 against me All | ask for is a
EAR nero and no favor and that the better
nah Win. sincerely trust that my pros
pecuVe adversary feels the same way. If
ne uoes The American public will. / CON
hoehtiy predict, be treated TO a battle
point. wy S'""u-
now a word as 10 that battle. II will
my oe the easy. one-slded affair that Inc
parusans OF each side look for On tha
contrary II Will be a hard. determined
sIuggle. and scientific throughout. Cor
PEI, mas the advantage OF me in height
ana reach. In other points | think we are
ABOUT equal. although so eminent an
su,nor1iy as John l.. Sullivan. who has
,hVusns US both, says that l am the harder
n.ter Other things being equal skin
sspsed and stiffness. hard hittinr some.
me onset superior height and reach.
Assa hsA bean said about corbstts