The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-29
TOTEST FLORIDALAW
Corbett and Mitchell Arrested
in q Friendly Suit.
EAvoRAsLe DECISION EXPECTED
The People % Jacksonville want the
Battle. aud the Only Trouble IL
the Governors opposision.

4 JACKSONVILLE. Dec 2s-Those who
DOUBTED the sincerity of Corbet, and Mitch.
ellis efforts to pull of the fight here in
January must give way now To the stronger
evidence Of facts. The big lighters today
voluntarily gave themselves up TO the au-
thorities il order 20 forestail arrest nj q
later date. and to test the Legality of the
proposed contest. Ii vas q prearransed
plan, and was cleveriy devised aud carried
out Is has amusing features. too. for Cor
bett Was not on hand at the appointed
hour. and Mitchell ragged and famed when
be discovered he had TO face the court
alone. Champion Jim had all along viewed
the possible arrest with feelings akin to
horror, but toward the close Of the after
noon came up from his training quarters
and took the sherifi's warrant without Q
murmur. Manager Bowden, Of the Duval
Athletic Club, has schemed for days and
nights so that there might be no interfer-
ence-
II has been cherished dream OF the
club magnates that the fight should occur
under the supervision of the Duval Ath-
letic Club, and right here in jacksonville.
Last night the officials decided upon .
hnal effort. A plan had been hit upon.
the two pugilists on the ground that they
had agreed to participate in tight within
the boundaries of Florida. Both Corbett
and Mitchell were apprised of the plan,
and neither offered objection. Mitchell
was arrested Mt the Everett hotel and
taken before Judge Baker, of the county
court. The pugiiist was more than sur
prised not 70 find Corbett also in custody,
but when informed by Bowden that Cor
bett had been sent for and would appear
during the day he Gained his troubled
spirit. The warrant was then read TO
him ana he Immediately gave bonds
OF 1880 to appear before the criminal
court January 2. Bowden and Charles
Richardson, also of the Duvai club. signed
the bond. Mitchell and party left shortly
afterward for their training quarters al st.
Augustine. About O'Clock this after
noon 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. De
Laney and small coterie Of faithful adj
herents were also there and accepted
Sheriff Towards hospitality with their
customary grace. Corbett was also taken
before Judge Baker. where he gave bonds
to appear before the criminal court Jann-
airy . Then they left the court and de-
ciared their intention of remaining in
Jacksonville until the next morning.
This latest move on the part of the man.
ayers of the club was entirely unexpected
by outsiders. Monday. January 1. either
Mitchell or Corbett will be surrendered by
his bondsmen. After he has been taken
into custody. writ Of habeas corpus will
will be applied for. If it Is decided that
the arrest il illegal, then preparations for
the fight will continue with increased
vigor, rs tina: will be looked upon as evil
dence that no further opposition
to the fight can legally De made.
II the arrest il considered legal. the man
ayers say the battle will be declared off
and all work stopped. The managers are
confident, however. that the decision will
be favorable to them, and this feeling IL
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.
Those opposed to the fight claim the
action of the Duval Club Is simply blind.
r. B. Archibald, one of the most promi-
nent of the opposition. said tonight that
whether the criminal court decides the
arrests illegal or not would have no bear
ing on the case. Such decision would
not prevent the stopping Of the fight by
Gov. Mitchell or by the sheriff. This view
Is not shared by . majority Of the attor-
neys, 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 District Attorney Hartridge
have wired tho governor, at present in
Tampa, asking him to send Attorney Gen.
erai Lamar to conduct the case for the
people. No reply has yet been received.
1t WAS learned today that Sheriff Brow
ard wrote 10 Gov. 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
sheriff's letter, but men who know
the governor are sure he will
order the sheriff 10 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 Is delighted with
his quarters.
New Orleans Races.