Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-03-19
ISPORTS AND s.
SQUIRE ABINGDON, CHARLEY MITCHELL
BACKER, DEAD.
The Death Nay Have an Effect Upon the Fight
Arranged Between Mitchell and O0rOsit-A
Sketch of the Deceased-Ihsro VIII be NO
Fight in Bufalo-COrbett Willing to Fight
Withoa! Any Side Bet

NEW ORLEANS, La, March Is
Souire Abingdon, the noted English
patron of SPORT, breathed his last TINS
morning at the st. Charles Hotter,
where he had been lying at the point OF
death for several days. His death
created something Of q sensation here,
rs il had not leaked out that he was
seriously i'll. lie found New Orleans
very fast ia a sporting sense, and ne
cut ont a pace that all who were with
him had to follow except Hall.
On the night OF the fight he was Sc
lected 10 90 into the corner with Hall,
not because he was thought TO know
much about handling 4 man, but simp-
w for the honor of having been in the
corner. He wore nothing but loose
undershirt. as did the other seconds. 1t
was rather warm during the early part
of the evening, but before the fight be-
gan It had changed front considerably
and there were many dangerous
dranghts whizzng through the big
nine building. The Squire handled
the ice and bottles in the cor
per and made himself generally useful
until the fight was over and Hall had
been taken back TO his room. After the
defeat of Hall the entire party went out
for a lark and general round of dlssi-
nation was begun then, in which Jim
Hall and the Squire played the leading
narts and which did not end until the
Souire broke down and had TO go TO
he'd. Mitchell left with Hall and the
SQUIRE expected to meet him in time to
sail on the Majestic Wednesday. The
Majestic will carry back TO England on
Wednesday the dead body OF the Squire
and his sOrrowng friends.
II was not known until last night
that the Squire was in dangerous con-
dition, and the disease made rapid in
roads upon him. During the night the
patient continued to grow worse and,
DESPITE the attention OF the physician
and nurse, he was so far gone when
daylight broke that his death became
onlv q question of few hours. Sink
ING slowly, his death finally occurred at
o'clock. He had been i'll but a week.
Secretary Bailey secured transporta-
ton for himself and the valet and the
body over the Piedmont Air Line and
left with the remains for New York
this evening. The Majestic sails on
Wednesday, and he has secured berths
on that vessel for himself and the
Sources valet and will take the remains
with him to the beautiful home of the
SQUIRE i'm Cambridge. The Squire was
only 81 years of age, but was million
aire. in England which means that be
was worth S5.OOO,0OO This was the
first time he had ever been in America
and he was so delighted with the coun-
try that he declared he would return
later in the year with Mitchell and do
general tour before the big fight in De-
cember. His estates in England are
represented to be magnificent, and his
stock farm is one OF the finest in that
country.
George Baird, or esquire Abingdon"
as be was generally known, was one OF
the richest men II England. He in
herited his wealth from his father. de
became prominent while yet young
man, by going into the racing business.
He developed into one Of the best gen.
tlemen Jockeys in England and fire.
Quently rode his own horses. He owned
a big racing stable, and during the past
ten wears won numerous stakes. lie
took up with the pugiliSts about three
years ago, and after that time neglected
racing to great extent. Charley
Mitchell became his fancy a year ago.
The check for Mitchel's $4,000 stake
i'm his match with Corbett was signed
George Baird" and on the day the
match was made Baird drew drafts for
$50, coo. He had been in the United
states for six weeks, and in that time
he was reported to have spent sos, 600.
1t is thought by many that his death
will put an end to the Cor6ett-Mitchell
contest.
Many good stories are told Of the
Squire" When young and at college
he was in poor circumstances, This was
before he inherited his fortune. He was
largely in debt to his college mates.
These debts he had since repaid, and in
MANY instances loaned those who were
kind to him at that time large sums of
money.
This was a familiar remark on the
turf In England when horseman went
broke: "Well, old chap, go TO the
Squire He'll fix you" The fixing"
meant a line to his secretary, Teddy"
Bailey, who had charge of his affairs,
and who made out the checks.