The herald., 1894-01-03
He Does Not Really Want
to Fight Corbett.
The Duval Club Disguised with
His Conduct.
Jim Will Make Him Fight or Brand
Him as a Coward.
A Bomb Exploded in the Camp of the
sports-The Test Case Thrown Out
of Court t. The Governors
Position Defined.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Presa
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 2.-Charlis
Mitchell has shown the white feather or
something that very much resembles
that article. Despite his alleged con-
cunning desire to face Corbett. the de-.
velopments OF today seem to indicate
that thu Englishman is ready to squeeze
through any loop hole to escape meet
ing the champion. That, and not the
alleged Knockout OF the Duval Athletic
club by Governor Mitchell, in the courts
here this morning, is the real sensation
of the day in sporting circles.
The largest kind of bomb was ex-
ploded in the camp OF the Duval Ath-
letic club today. A large crowd sur
rounded the court house waiting for
chance to see the ring champions. When
the case was called neither man re-
spcnded. Judge Christie, county solicitor,
arose. stated no evidence had been
found in the case and moved the release
OF the men from bonds. AS this was
the only thing to be done Corbett and
Mitchell were declared free men. The
next case was then called and those in
I rested in the pugilists filed sluwly
out OF the room. At first they did not
fully understand the parport Of Judge
Christie's action, but when they learned
that the fight had received bad set
back they were exceedingly angry with
those instrumental in securing the
dropping of the case. The officials
of the club have not yet decided what
course to pursue. They remain firm in
their statements. however, that the
- lo nil koI IL \
spite the odds they are fighting against.
After Solicitor Christie, under coercion
from the governor, refused to have any
thing to do With the test case brought
by the athletic club, the managers be-
gan casting about for ways and means
''to pull OFF, the affair in spite OF the
governor aud the courts. Manager Bow
den cent Harry Mason over to St. Aug
ustine to see Mitchell and induce him
to sign amended articles Of agreement.
The original articles at Mitchell's suR-
gestion provided that the fight should
occur within two miles of Jackson
Vile" The club today wished TO change
the clause, so as to have it read the
fight should occur within the state of
Florida" The purpose of the club was
that it might agree to the selection OF
place in the state where it was the least
likely there would be interference on
the part of the authorities.
When the situation of affairs was ex-
planned to Mitchell and he was asked to
affix his signature, to the amended
articles of agreement, he fatty refused
to sign. He said he would never put
his name to the paper unless the site for
the contest was definitely fixed. Harry
Mason urged and expostulsted with the
Englishman. telling him the change was
only precaution in view of the gover-
nor's hostile attitude, but to no avail.
Mitchell absolutely refused to sign and
Mason returned to Jacksonville.
1t looks now as though Mitchell never
really desired to go up against the
American champion and is taking ad-
vantage of the difficulties under which
the club is laboring. The managers of
the club are in state OF mind tonight
and are roasting the Englishman in
sulphurous style. Manager Bowden
said tonight he would go over to st.
Augustine tomorrow and force Mitchell
to sign the amended articles or brand him
to the world as having shown the white
feather.
The mayor vetoed the ordinance legal
izing glove contests, but the city council
passed it over his veto.