Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-16

The Decoy Prise Fight at jackson
willie Was Not stopped.

willie Was Not Stopped.
Harris and Watkins. the colored pugi-
lists. met at the opera house at Jackson
Vile, Fla, last night under articles of
agreement Identical with those signed by
Corbett and Mitchell, and were not inter-
fered with. The meeting was under the
supervision OF the chief Of police. and the
referee was vested with power to stop the
mill whenever it reached point indicating
danger to life and limb.
When time was called at 8 o'clock
there was a large crowd present. As soon
as time was called the two negroes went at
1t viciously. After some sharp in-fghting
they broke away, and almost Immediately
Watkins got opening and landed a
heavy right on Harris stomach following
1t up with a savage swing that caught his
opponent on the corner of the left eye, the
blood squirting from the blow. This was
too hot for Harris. and he refused to con-
tinue. saying he had been drunk all day
and was In no condition to Tight. The de-
cison therefore went to Watkins also four
fifths Of the $50 purse, the other SO going
to Harris. Time. leo.
This summary end OF the bout by TO
means pleased the crowd, and they began
to shout. Fake. fake" The management
then wanted to put up local talent against
Watkins. but Chief Of Police Keefe said
! that the license called for q meeting be-
tween Harris and Watkins, and no other
men would be allowed to fight under that
license.
Then the management urged Harris TO
continue the fight. but Deputy Sheriff VIM
Zant arose and said II the men went To-
gether as they had done he would arrest
them. The men then spared four friendly
rounds. Watkins outpointing Harris The
blow Harris received over the eye was a
terrible one. and blood streamed down his
face as he spared. Watkins left eye was
also cut.
The club people were disappointed that
the state authorities took no action to stop
| the contest. They were hopeful till the last
moment that Gov. Mitchell would interfere.
thereby showing his hand and giving them
an idea of what might be expected IL Cor
bett and Mitchell met, but the governor. 1t
is said, has never intended to interfere with
the fight between the negroes. believing
| that 1t was simply dummy affair ar
| ranged by the club to draw him out, with
| the intention of gaining some point in the
legal complications which state interference
would have brought about, which might be
used to advantage in the attempt to bring
Corbett and Mitchell together.
The governor, however. is rather foxy
himself. and so he kept his hands of the
negroes, and Is still free to carry out Is
intentions in regard to the Corbett- Mitchell
fight without running counter to a decision
from any court in Jacksonville: The club
people know this. and they feel that the
governor has cleverly eluded the snare
which has been set for him.
The impression Is that at present the
governor has the club in a hole, so far as
pulling off the big mill is concerned.
There will be a meeting of the business
men of Jacksonville tonight to protest
dering troops to Jacksonville on the occa-
sion of the Corbett-Mitchell fight. A pro-
test against this action Is being numero lsly
signed by leading business men.