The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-20
THATLITTLE BOX PARTY.
TIE PURSE WITH THE STRING sT1hS
UP THE ES0LIsBMAS.
EvasIve Replies, However, Serve to Ahay
His Uneasiness-The Scene OF the bst-
tIe-Ths Governor Firm.

| JACKSONVILLE, FLA, JAM 10 'S
string which the Duval Athletic 'iuo "a'
tied n that $50. 900, for which coroet'
and Mitchell are TO fight, provided the e'uo
soes tho NAV clear 10 getting It's money
back from admissions. ana the 'o'erhoT
., Florida can be kept in the dark, was
tho nrIncipal topic in sporting circles
to-day.
opatv Masterson, who Is reputed TO be
.,, co,orado undertakers' best friend and
Ike Thompson, representing Charlie Mitch
oil were so alarmed at the string
story that they came over from the
Tnglishman's training quarters to-day
| and had a long consultation with Man
ager Bowden relative TO the purse.
Masterson and Thompson told Bowden
| that a report was current that the cluD
would hold on to the purse If the battle
was not finished. They therefore gave
Manager Bowden an ultimatum which
was that Charley Mitchell and MS
| friends would not move one step in the
| direction of the ring If IT were true that
| the fighters would get nothing If the
| battle was not fought to conclusion.
Another rumor which Masterson and
Thomson asked Bowden to explain was
that those who purchased tickets would
get their money back II the contest was
interrupted at any time after 1t he'd be-
gun. They wanted TO know In that event
what the fighters would get out OF it.
Th- ompia4nls ID. posc'i o.
To these demands Of the Mitchell party
Bowden replied with that suavity which
generally is effective save when used on
the Governor Of Florida, that the club
was not responsible for the statements
complained of. He said that the purse
was in the hands of Honest John Kelly
the referee, and that il the fight was in
terrupted after II was begun. Kelly had
the right to dispose of the $4,000 Bow
den. however, added that the club retains
the right il has under the articles or
agreement, TO declare the contest off II
enough tickets are not disposed of TO
amount to 10000.
Thcse statements satisfied Masterson
and Thomson, and there is now no doubt
of the Englshman's coming to time, pro-
yided he is not nabbed by Florida
sheriff before he can reach the ringside.
Corbett will be there, too. provided he is
not likewise nabbed Governor Mitchell
is so bitterly opposed to the fight that 1t
Is entirely possible that he may have Cor
bett ans Mitchell arrested at their train
ing quarters and locked up on the eve OF
the day set for the battle.
The other rock on which the fight may
be wrecked is the probability of the club
declaring the fight off if the crowd does
not come up 10 expectations. The CLUB
people said a good deal about their pride
being aroused when Governor Mitchell
sat down on them so hard, and that they
were determined to have the night no mat
ter what it cost, but that talk was all bosn
| The club people are "out for the stun
o,a
crowd does not prove large enough 10
prevent them losing a big pile, it is an
odds-on bet that they will declare the
| contest of.
Zig Crowd and Fight.
The outlook at present. however. for a
good crowd is rather encouraging Every
train to-day from the North brought In
a good number Of sports. and those ar
irving report more en- route. The Southern
Associated Press correspondent talked 10
many prominent sporting men to-day, and
they agreed that the crowd would be large
enough TO prevent the club quitting loser.
They estimate that at least 1900 people
viii come to witness the mill.
The general opinion is that the fight
should be a magnificent one. as both
Corbett and Mitchell are reported in the
pink Of condition. AL Smith, referee OF
the Coney Island Club. went down 10
see Corbett. at Mayport. to-day, and he
says that the champions condition is
perfect. ''fIe is stronger and bigger"
said Smith, than ever. don't know
that he is any quicker for he has al
ways been marvel Of quickness." SINH
lar reports as to Mtchells condition come
TO the Southern Associated Press cores
pendent.
Bat" Masterson says he has straight
information that while Corbett is in good
condition he Is awfully slow. Masterson
says this disposes of Corbetts chances.
The betting so far has been very slow
here. The odds are still 100 TO 90 on Cor
bett, with few takers. 1t is said that the
Mitchell people are waiting for better
odds. 100 to 50 or 100 to 40.
Where the battle Is TO be fought
nobody knows save the club people
and they are at last wearing muzzes.
1t will be near Jacksonville. however.
for Snapper Garrison. who will be the
official time-keeper. said TO Southern
Associated Press correspondent to-day:
1.-The fight will take place on a railroad
at point within fifty minutes ride OF
Jacksonville"
Ths Governor nv Firm as Ever.
Meanwhile the attitude of the Governor
remains unchanged, and If he can get
an inkling of the spot chosen for the
fight he will have the troops on the scene
and round up the assembled sports III
short order.
Sheriff Broward returned from ITALIA
hassee to-day, where he had been 10 see
the Governor about stopping the fight. TO
the Southern Associated Press correspon-
dent he said: THE fight will not take
place in Duval county. The Governor has
ordered me to stop IL. and / mean 10 do
IT. Troops viii be here to assist me. !
feel sure that II will not be held in the
county. If an attempt IS made TO hold
1t in the county it VIII be stopped"
The sheriff would not tell how he pro-
posed to stop it in the county. but he was
evidently satisfied with the plans he and
the governor had agreed upon.
The club has already secured circus
tent. with seats and camp-stools. and on
| the 10Th the tip viii only be given to the
| sports in time for them 10 catch the
train.
]. II. Hopkins. the well-known hacker
| of pugilists, who brought out Creedon and
! Tracey is here. He wants the Duvai
| Athletic Club TO arrange a match be-
tween Creedon and Fitzsimmons. AZ
present. however, The club has just as