Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-17
THE GOVERNOR ENJOYABLE.
Al Fully Determined as Ever to Pre-
vent the Big Fight.

The Duval Athletic Club of Jacksonville.
Fla, has played it's last card in the contest
1t has been waging with Gov. Mitchell
and has lost. That card consisted of a per-
scnal appeal by Manager Bowden to the
governor. begging him to cease his opposi-
ton and allow the club to pull off the Cor
bett-Mitchell mill publicly in Jacksonville.
But the governor was obdurate, and told
Bowden that the fight should not take place
m Jacksonville or in Florida. if he could
prevent 1t.
The interview between Bowden and Gov.
Mitchell took place in the latters office at
Tallahassee the state capital, whittier Bow
den went Monday night Attorney General
Lamar was present at the interview. 1t is
understood that Bowden's attitude toward
the governor was very much that of the
suppliant. He almost implored the gov
ernor to let up. but the executive. far from
being moved by Bowden's humility. roundly
denounced the club people for their inso-
lent attitude, especially in the matter Of
issuing the recent statements to the public
In which the governors conduct toward the
club was characterized as contemplate
and tyrannical"
Nothing is left the club now but to make
arrangements for bringing Mitchell and
Corbett together in the woods. As was
stated long ago, a secret fight has been the
only resource left the club ever since Gov.
Mitchell announced his opposition. Manager
Bowden's advice for "all those who desire
to witness the fight to assemble in Jack
sonville on or before January "A, Is regard
ed as an indication that the club people
have thrown up the sponge, SO far as a
public fight in Jacksonville Is concerned.
and will now perfect plans by which Cor
bett and Mitchell can meet in secret and
without danger of interference from the
state authorities.
ho oh iS
to occur either in Duval county or in st.
johns county, in which ST. Augustine Is
located, and also Anastasia Island, where
Charley Mitchell is training.
There was rumOr some time ago that
the club had chosen AnaStaSia Island as
the scene for the mill, but if Corbett and
Mitchell meet there trouble will likely arise
as the governor has warned the st. John
county officers to be on the alert and pre-
vent the mill.
1t is also said Mr.. II. NJ. Flagler, the
Standard Oil magnate, who owns the pala-
tial Ponce de Leon and other hotels at st.
Augustine, and is also heavily interested
in railways on the east coast OF Florida, Is
opposed to the contest being held in st.
Johns county or in the state of Florida.
1t is said that Mr.. Flasler will all Of
his influence to checkmate any movement
that the club may make to have the fight
ers adjourn to the county iE which his no.
tells are located, for the reason that he
thinks that the reputation which ST. Au-
gustine enjoys as a quiet and respectable
winter resort would be damaged for years.
He does not want it held in Florida for the
reason that the bad name which he thinks
1t will give the state will injure the whole
of 1t. These views Mr.. Flagler has express
ed to many of his friends. That they are
his Is shown by a letter written by him
some time ago to the governor, indorsing
the governors efforts to stop the fight
This opposition of Mr.. Flagler will proba-
bly, prevent the consideration of ST. Johns
county as the scene for the fight, and so
the club people will have to confine them
selves to Duval county, unless the articles
OF agreement are again changed
From this on, everything pertaining to
the tight will be kept close secret by the
club. as only in that way can the governor
be prevented from interfering even though
Corbett and Mitchell are brought together
in the woods.
Last night was an exciting night in Jack
sonville, Fla, and one which the inhab-
tants will long remember. a great crowd
of citizens thronged Metropolitan Hall,
called there to protest against the intended
action of Governor Mitchell in calling out
the militia to prevent the Corbett- Mitchell
contest. Speeches were made of a fiery
nature, some of the best known men in the
city responding to calls from the audience