Arizona republican., 1893-12-29
THE BIG FIGHT.
The DuVal Athletic Club
Makes An Experiment.
The Friendly Arrest of
Corbett and Mitchell.
The Legal Status of the Contest
to be Brought to a Focus.
A Hearing On a Writ of Habeas Cor
pus VIII Decide Whether the
Fight Can Go On.
By the Associated Press.

10 JAChSONFlLLE, L 49,, O6C. AO.-1uOco
who doubted the sincerity of Corbett
and Mitchell in their efforts to pull off
the big fight here in January must give
way now to the stronger evidence of
facts. The big fighters today voluntar-
lily gave themselves up to the authorities
in order to forestall arrest at q later date
and to test the legality of the proposed
contest.
1t was all prearranged plan and was
cleverly devised and satisfactorily car
ried out. 1t had its amusing features,
too, for Corbets was not on hand at the
appointed hour and Mitchell ragged and
fumed when he discovered he had to
face the court alone. Champion Jim
had all along viewed possible arrest
with feelings akin to horror. but toward
the close of the afternoon he came
up from his training quarters
and took the sheriff's warrant with
out murmur. Manager Bowden of the
Duval Athletic club has schemed for
days and nights so there might be no
interference. 1t has been the cher
ished dream OF the club magnates that
the big fight should occur under the
supervision of the Duval Athletic club
and right here in Jacksonville.
Last night the officials decided upon
a final effort and this plan was set
upon. Warrants were procured for the
arrest of the two pugilists on the
ground that they had agreed to psrtici-
pate in a fight within the boundaries of
Flsrida. Both Corbett and Mitchell
were apprised of the plan and neither
offered objection. This morning Nit
chell was arrested at the Everett hotel
and was taken before Judge Baker, of
the county court. The pugilist was
more than surprised not to find Corbett
also in custody, but when informed by
Bowden that Corbett had been sent for
and would appear during the day be
Gained his troubled spirit. The war
rant was then read to him and he i'm
mediately gave bonds for $1,000 to
appear before the criminal court JAN
uary 2. Bowden and Charles Richard
son, also of the Duval club, signed the
bond. Mitchell and his party left
shortly afterwards for his training
quarters at st. Augustine.
About 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
with Billy Brady behind him. Delany
and small coterie of faithful adherents
were also there and accepted Sheriff
Howard's hospitality with customary
grace. Corbett was also taken before
Judge Baker, where he gave bonds to
appear before the Criminal court on
January 2. Then they left the court
and declared their intention OF remain
ing in Jacksonville until the next
morning. This last move on the part
of the managers of the club was entire
ly unexpected by outsiders.
On Monday, January l, either Mitch
ell or Corbett will be surrendered by
his bondsmen. Alter he has been ta-
ken into custody writ of habeas cor
pus will be applied for. II it is decided
that the arrest is illegal, then prepara-
tions for the fight will continue with
increased vigor, as that will be looked
on as evidence that no farther interfer-
ence need be feared. If the arrest is
considered legal the managers say the
battle will be declared off and all work
will be stopped. The managers are
confident, however, that the decision
will be favorable to them and this feel
Ing is shared by majority of citizens
Work on the big arena is being pushed
rapidly forward and tickets for the con-
test are being sold in large mum bers.
Those opposed to the fight claim that
the action of the Duval club is simply
blind. R. B. Archibald, one of the most
prominent of the opposition, said to-
night that whether the criminal court
decided the arrests were illegal or not
would have no bearing on the case. He
said such decision would not prevent
stopping the fight by Governor Mitchell
or by the sheriff. This view is not
shared by the majority, the general
opinion being that should the decision
Of the court be favorable to the Duval
club further opposition will necessarily
cease. Prosecuting Attorney Christie
and District Attorney Partridge have
wired Governor Mitchell, who is at pres
ent in Tampa, asking him to send At
torney General Lamar to conduct the
case for the people. No reply has yet
been received.