The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-20
4 SCARE OVER THE PURSE
Nitcbell'S Friends Ask Whether There
is a String Tied to 1t.

+be Contest on if $40, 900 Worth of
Tickets is Not sold-Gov. Mitchell
MAY Have the sluggers Arrested the
Night Before the Fight.
Jacksonville, Fla, Jan. 19.-The string
which the Duval Athletic club has tied to
that $4,000 for which Corbett and
Mitchell are to fight, provided the club
sees the way clear to getting its money
hack from admissions, and the governor
of Florida can be kept in the dark, was
the principal topic in sporting circles to-
day
"Bat" Masterson, who is reputed to be
the best friend of the Colorado under
takers, and Ike Thompson, representing
Charley Mitchell, were so alarmed at the
string story that they came over from the
Englishmans training quarters to-day,
and had long conference with Manager
Bowden relative to the purse
Masterson and Thompson told Manager
Bowden that report was current that
the club would hold on to the purse II the
battle was not finished. They, there
fore, gave Manager Bowden an ultima
tum, which was that Charley Mitchell
and his friends would not move one step
in the direction of the ring if it was true
that the fighters would get nothing if the
battle was not fought to conclusion.
FATE OF THE TICKET BUYERS.
Another rumor which Masterson and
Thompson asked Manager Bowden 10
explain was that those who purchased
tickets would get their money back if the
contest was interrupted at any time after
it had begun. They wanted to know in
that event what the fighters would get
out of it. To these demands of the
Mitchell party, Manager Bowden re-
piled, with that suavity which gen
orally 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 if the
fight was interrupted after it was begun
Kelly had the right to dispose of the
$4,000. Manager Bowden, however,
added that the club retains the right it
has under the articles of agreement to
declare the contest off if enough tickets
are not disposed of to amount to 20,0O0.
MAY ARREST THE PRINCIPALS.
These statements satisfied Masterson
and Thompson, and there is no doubt of
the Englishman's coming to time, pro-
vided, he is not nabbed by a Florida
sheriff before he can reach the
ringside Corbett will be there
too, provided he is not likewise nabbed.
Gov, Mitchell is so bitterly opposed to the
fight that it is entirely possible that he
may have Corbett and Mitchell arrested
at their training quarters and locked up
on the evening before 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 to expectations. The club
people said good deal about their ''pride
being aroused' when Gov. Mitchell sat
down on them so hard and that they were
determined to have the fight, no matter
what it cost, but that talk was all
bosh. The club people are ''out for the
stuff just like Corbett and Mitchell, and
II the crowd does not prove large enough
to prevent them losing big pile, it is an
ODDS on bet that they will declare the
contest off.
THE OUTLOOK FOR CROWD GOOD.
The outlook at present, however, for a
good crowd is rather encouraging. Every
train to-day from the north brought in
goodly number of sports, and those arriv-
ing report more enroute. The Southern
Associated Press correspondent talked to
many prominent sporting men to-day and
they agreed that the crowd would be
large enough to prevent the club quitting
0lg loser. They estimate that at least
5,OOO people will come to witness the mill
Should that number come the club Will
be safe
BOTH IN THE PINK OF CONDITION..
The general opinion is that the fight
should be magnificent one, as both Cor
oett and Mitchell are reported in the pink
OF condition. Al Smith, referee of the
Soney Island club, went down to see Cor
oett at Mayport to-day and he says that
the champions condition is perfect. He
is stronger and bigger" said Smith,
than ever. don't know that he is any
quicker, for he has always been a marvel
OF quckness."
Similar reports as to Mitchell's coudi-
Ion come TO the Southern Associated
Fress correspondent.
Bat" Masterson says he has straight
information that, while Corbett is in
good condition, he is awfully slow. Mas
IgrSon says this disposes of Corbett's
Inc betting so far has been very slow
mere. The odds are still 100 to 60 on Cor
VSGtI' with few takers. 1t is said that
M!Itchell people are waiting for better
ouoS, 100 to so or 100 to 40.
THE SCENE OF THE FIGHT.
"here the battle will be fought, no.
uouy knows save the club people, and
sney are at last wearing muzzles II will
oe near Jacksonville, however, for ''Snap-
pet Garrison, who will be the official
i oine Keeper, said to the Southern Asso-
Ssldled Press correspondent to-day: 1.-THE
nsut WlIl take place on a railroad at
@ @poluI within fifty minutes ride Of Jack
Meanwhile the attitude of the COVER
a noI remains unchanged, and if he can get
W WGa mixing Of the spot chosen for the fight,
NC VIII have troops on the scene and
oo4nu o,.9nl up the assem- bled sports in short
CAN'T FIGHT IN DUvAL.
sheriff Broward returned from Talla-
10 tSaoSee to-day, where he had been to see
~ governor about stopping the fight
ee I1e southern Associated Press corre-
ffpaIInuent, he said: 1.-The fight will not
noa CA1 place in Duval county. The COVER
-oI ~ mas ordered me to stop it and l mean
ma nv oo IL. Troops will be here to assist
in ~ / 1eel sure that it will not be held
IN 'no county. If an attempt is made
il mold it in the county
tbo.;u VIII be stopped" The
sto+ ~ ~ would not tell how he proposed to
dsrp,iLlv ~ IN the county, but he was evil
COY COY satlsted with the plans he and the
eS1ryerhor had agreed upon
tart "o CIuD has already secured a circus
t5s sWy.i Witn seats and camp stools, and on
snCr.1 .o'h the tip will only be given TO the
Is Is IN time for them to catch the train.
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