The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-06
THE RING.
Lexow Committee to Answer For
Biac[1InaiI.

New York, Dee. "A sensation was
caused in sporting circles last might
by a report that Champion James j.
Corbeut would soon be called before
the LeXow committee to tell what he
knows about an attempted $1,000
blaclHmail several years ago. Corbett' S
manager, Billy Brady, it is said, knows
all about certain transaction, as we'll
as the champion, and his testimony
would serve as a very strong corrobor-
alton.
| When Charley Mitchell and Frank
P. SIaVin came to this country in 1891,
| they had three objects in view, first 10
get ON a match between S.avin and
Sullivan; second, to arrange q. limited
round-go between Corbett and Mitchell;
third, to give a series of boxing ex-
hibftions throughout the country. The
proposed match between Slavin and
Sullivan fell Through. Subsequently, a
meeting took place between Corbett
and Mitchell in the Clipper office in
January, 1892. After much discussion
it was mutually agreed that for the
gate receipts the men should meet in a
limited number of rounds in Madison
Square garden.
| Brady had arranged with Mitchell
to secure the garden for the specified
date, and actually put down a. deposit
for this purpose of $1,000. The fact of
this step having been taken was con-
veyed TO Mitchell at a meeting in a
pre4arranged code by a friend.
/ 1t was distinctly specified in the
articles that the contest was to be on
purely scientific lines and it was to be
decided ON points.
Shortly after the match had been
H. n
mysterious telegram from Brady, ask
| ing that "a certain friend of his should
meet him in the Astor house. That
friend and Mitchell came over TO New
York, and while the former repaired
| to the Astor house, Mitchell awaited
developments in a saloon on Park row.
Corbett was with Brady at the Aston
house when NIftcheiis represe ntative
got there, and he blamed both men for
arranging so public 9, meeting, remark
| ing that if any newspaper reporter saw
the three together they would proba-
bly, be denounced as proposing fake
fight
Behind closed doors the solemn con-
cGave was held. Brady acted as spokes-
man and said that he and Corbett
figured on a $4,000 purse, but re-
marked:
There is, however, something I
should tell you, and that is why /
asked you to meet us here. There is a
third party wants to come into this
deal of ours
Charley Mitchelrs friend inquired
how much the third partys coming
meant
Brady replied that the person re-
ferred to wanted a, third of the net re-
ceipts and would insist in putting his
own men in turnstiles and in the pay
boxes.
The proposition almost winded Mitch
els friend who asked, Am I right in
guessing this man as Mr.. Policemdn?"-
Brady answered that those were the
terms demand ed by the police officers
of the precinct, adding that if they
were not complied with no permission
would be granted for the contest in the
garden. MftchelFs friend then said the
simple English of the thing was a.
seven or eight thousand dollar black
mail, and added: you can tell the
police for me, with my compliments,
that they can go and smother them
selves. l won't have Mitchell held up
in daylight and his clothes gone
Through by highwaymen. This is my
ultimatum."
Corbett expressed much anxiety to
see Mitchell and he was informed of
his whereabouts and sent for him.
The conversation regarding the
blacknail as related was again entered
upon and MitcheNs Indignation knew
no bounds. He said he would not
stand any such arrangements as was
suggested and left the Aston house hur
riedly, remarking that he presumed he
need not trouble himself about train
ing or thinking any more of the mat
ter.