The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-24
THAT $4,000 CHECK.
Referee Kelly Has Not Yet Cashed 1t,
but Muy To-Day.

Dut Muy IO-Day.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 23.-The
much-indorsed and much talked-of check
for $4,000, which represents the purse for
which Corbett and Mitchell are to fight,
has not yet gone down the back entry Of
time. 1t is as yet an element in the equa-
tion, and will remain so to the end When
referee Kelly yesterday called on the club
to convert this check into cash the club,
in conference, decided to 90 so. In some
way or other it seems to have been at the
time unknown either to Kelly or to the
club that something stuck to the check,
and~it is again dangling there. big before
the public eye to-day. There is at least
one clear, cool head in the management OF
the Duval Athletic Club. Its possessor is
little known to the public, but he is
shrewd, steady-nerved young man, who has
held throughout that a certified check is
cash; that the club and not the pugilists,
should do the clubs business, and that I'M
TIL the club chooses to convert the check
into money the check ought to stand. This
attitude is not the result Of an obstinate
determination to pursue only one way, and
1t Is not altogether the result of the clubs 8
pride In its own word and pledge.
Last night it was generally understood
that the check matter had been ended.
and that referee Kelly to-day would re-
ceive $4,000 in cold cash. Mr.. Kelly, how
ever has not yet handled any money re-
allied from this check and the indica-
tions are that he may not do so until the
contest shall have been ended. He had
session to-day at the club rooms with the
young member referred to, and Mr.. Kelly
heard some views of the situation which
he had probably never thought Of 1t is
United States TO the amount of the purse
be openly placed as the prize for an illegal
| Illegal, those who are involved in such
use of United States currency may become
answerable under the federal laws. Again,
| in this connection, it is pointed out that
the scrap of paper, though certified and
thus good for its face. value. is clear Of
all collateral complications such as might
attend the use of slips of paper which
Uncle Sam had placed his stamp upon.
The fact that referee Kelly had not con-
verted the check into money became known
on the streets this afternoon, and created
| great excitement among the sporting fra
ternity. On one or the street corners a
crowd of the more prominent ones were
| discussing the question in an animated
| manner, when a well-known newspaper
man suggested that they proceed to the
| bank and find out whether there was any
| money deposited there in the name of the
| too frightened at the size of the crowd 10
| know what he was saying, or else he did
not understand what they were driving
| curtly. They went away with an idea that
| there had been no money deposited against
the check. The cluD was condemned IN
| the strongest terms as being gang of
| robbers.
Billy Thompson and William A. Brady,
who were Of the party, decided that If the
| club could not be induced to put the $50, 600
| where 1t could be reached, then Brady and
Thompson would get together and arrange
for a fight between Corbett and Mitchell for
a side bet and receipts. Referee Kelly soon
| after this put In an appearance and, with
Here wens s no 1he
him almost in a body and accused him OF
saying that the check is worthless and of
no more value than strip of paper. Mr..
Kelly Indignantly denied these charges, and
| declared that he had said nothing about the
| check or the club. This satisfied the club
and conference, including the members
and Mr. Kelly, was then held AS a result
the club announced that, should an injunc-
| ton be granted them tomorrow, the cash
for the check would be at once turned over
| to Mr. Kelly's order. If an injunction was
| not granted them the fight would be de-
| clared off.
"Are you certain that there is money be-
| 'I went to the cashier of the First Ma
| tional Bank replied the referee, land
| asked him about that very matter His
| reply that, with the present Endorsement or
| the back the check would be as good as
| gold on the 26th of January, provided, OF
| course. that the fight takes place. AS the
| Endorsement stands at present, would not
| get the money until that time"
| "Will you consent to referee the battle ii
| the money Is not in your hands before the
| contest?'' was asked of Kelly.
| II will not, was the brief reply. Mr.. kel
| ly then said that he had every confidence in
] the Duval Club, and although malicious
I stories had been circulated TO the effect that
| il was not playing square, he thought thai
they came from men who were trying &c
| make capital from nothing. He believed
| that tomorrow everything would be salts
| factorily arranged.