The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-19
MITCHELL'S BACKER DEAD.
Squire Abingdon succumbs to tho Hesni
OF Dissipation.

squire Abingdon Succumbs to tho Result
Of Dissipation.
New ORLEANS, March ls.--Georqe A..
Baird. better known as esquire Abing-
don," tho friend and companion Of the
English pusilist, Charlie Mitchell. died
! here this morning. His death crented
something OF sensation hore, as II had
not leaked out that he was 80 seriously Ill.
When Squire canc here from New York
with the Hall and Mitchell party he waa
IN the best Of spirits and splen-
did health. with quick, elastic
excsllent condition for a long stay. en-.
gagged the best rooms in tho hotel, began to
open wine Immediately for all to whom he
TOOK liking and spent money right and
left for wine and women. He found New
Orlehns very fast in n sporting sense and
cut out a pnce that all who were with him
had to follow except Hall. On the night
OF the fight he was selected to 20 into the
corner with Hall. not that he was thought
TO know much about handling man,
but simply for the honor of having
been in the corner. He wore nothing
but loose undershirt. as did the other sec-
onds. 1t was rather warm during tho early
pnrt OF the evening. but before the Sight
began it had changed considerably and
there were many dangerous drafts whlz-
zng through the big pine building. The
squire handled the ice and bottles in Halls
corner and made himself generally uset ul
until tho fight was over, and Hall had been
taken back to his room. After the defeated
pugilist had been escorted back to his hotel
the entire party went out for lark, and a
general round OF dissipation was begun
then in which Jim Hall and Squire
played leading parts. and which did not end
until Squire broke down and had to 40 to
bed. His illness at first was not considered
serious and was regarded merely as cold
resulting fiom dissipation. However, a
physician was called in and the sick man
given avery possible attention. He himself
dld not believe he was very bad of.
Mitchell left with Hall and Squire expected
to meet him in time to sail on the M aestio
Wednesday. The Majestic will carry back
TO England Wednesday tho dead body Of
eQuire, and his sorrowinR friends.
New York, March 19.-Charley Mitchell
and Jim Hall arrived at the Grand Central
depot at 1895 and were met by Jerry Ma
honey. Mitchell and Hall took a cab for
the Gedney house. At the hotel a telegram
awaited Mitchell. which read as follows:
esquire died at eight this morning.
Monk" When Mitchell was asked whether
replied that it would not, that Squire had
given him the money to bet and if he won
he WAS to keep it. Mitchell began to send
kilograms at once. One was to Monk. II
read: "Hnve squire embalmed aud brought
to New York right away. We can then
catch boat" He also notified AbinRdon's
London lawyers.
lNDrANApoL1s March 18.-James ]. Cor
bstt said this afternoon regarding the
death of Abingdon: II am very sorry to
hear of his death, for he was great friend
of sporting people. He was thorough
gentleman and did much to help pugilism.
don't think his death will In any way
affect the arrangements between Mitchell
and myself. In the hrst place. Mitchell
does not want to get out of fighting, but is
anxious to meet me. as he has everything
to gain and nothing to lose. His $1,000 il
already mp ana is covered by mine, but even
should tho friends of Squire Abingdon want
to take down his money you may state
from me that am willing to fight Mitchell
without any side bot, merely for the cham
pionship of the world"
NEW YORK, March 1S.-It is believed by
many that Squire Abingdon's death may
affect the Corbett-Mitchell fight. The ex-
ecu.ors Of his estate may insist on With
drawing the $4,000 stake money, which
Squire put up for Mitchell. 1t is not be-
lieved Mitchell could got anybody else to
back him for that amount.