The herald., 1894-11-18
He Sheds Tears Over Connie"
and Claims He Did Not
Kill Him.
BOOZE IS RESPONSIBLE.
R;ordan Had Taken q Drop Too Much
Fitzsmmons Held in $4,000
Bail to Answer for
Manslaughter.

SYRACUSE, N. Y, Nov. 1.-THE death
of Con Riordan, five hours after receiv-
ing a blow from Bob Fitzsimmons in Q
sparring exhibition, is the second SPAR
ring fatality in this city. "Yank" Sui
livan took the news of his sparring part
ner's death to Fitzslmmons. my Godl
You don't mean to tell me Connie ID
dead ?" said the pugilst. 81 cannot be-
lieve it. did not hit him hard enough
to injure child"
Fitzsimmons did not sleep at all lass
night and refused to eat this morning.
RIoRDAN's HISTORY.
Riordan was born in Melbourne. Aus
tralia, and was 81 years old. When 20
years old he made his frat appearance
as boxer, and soon after fought six-
round draw with Martin Costello in San
Francisco, the police stopping the con-
test in the sixth round. His next con.
test was with Max Fourner, a Swede,
whom he beat in IS rounds. He then
returned to Australia and met Billy Cole
at Melbourne, defeating him in eight
seconds, the .horses. fsht CT record.
He next defeated George Bloomfield in
three rounds, George Langdon in three
rounds, Young Wilson in two rounds,
H. Gowan, five rounds, and Tom Frake
twice in three and four rounds. Joe
McAuliffe endeavored to stop Riordan at
San Francisco August II, 1888, and the
contest ended ir four-round draw.
At the Golden Gate Athletic club he
met Australian Billy Smith and was de.
feated in eight rounds. Ho went to
England with Peter Jackson as SPAR
ring partner, but soon returned to this
country. Later he was matched by the
Ormond club of London to meet Jack
Slavin, and June I'd, 1892, he was beaten
has not engaged in any pugilistic con-
tests.
DID NOT HIT HIM HARD.
To reporters Fitzsimmons said: "Do
you suppose l would strike my sparring
partner with any force? knew he had
been drinking hard, but did not know
he was in such q condition. Invariably
when spared with him he turned blue
around the mouth, snd it was a sign for
me to let up. Last night l noticed
after the first exchange of blows that he
was not rightNs The blow that caused
the trouble was as light as / could make
it. merely slapping him with the back
OF nv hand. He fell down, then rose
and staggered around. 1 put my arm
around him to assist him off the stage.
When he fell headlong / thought he
was taking and WAS thoroughly dis
gusted, because everybody in the house
hiesed me. ! have known this man
eight years and he was always a hard
drinker. / presume be had aome heart
difficulty. l am not fearful Of my posi-
tion."
THE DEATH CERTIFICATE.
Riordan's death: "Hemorrhage with-
in the cranial cavity, causing compres@
sion OF the BRAIN"
Riordan was found in perfect health.
DR.. d. M. Tollman, who conducted the
autopsy. says Riordan must have been
struck terrific blow on the chin which
communicated direct with the base of
the brain. The depression of the right
side of the brain was very deep and res
manned half an hour after the clot was
removed.
FITz RELEASED ON BAIL.
Fitzsimmons was erraigned in the
police court on the charge OF man
slaughter in the first degree. He waived
examination and was taken before
County Judge Northcup. who fixed his
bail at $4,000. which was furnished at
8 :35 .. m. by Yank Sullivan and Charles
Gang.
Manager Glori saws that Riordan will
be buried in this city tomorrow, as he
has no relatives in this country who
might wish the remains. The Fitzsim-
mons vaudeville company gave mati-
nee at the Jacobs thester. On Monday
the company will go to Boston for
weeks engagement.
CAPTAIN GLoRI's STATEMENT.
Captain Glori said: "Riordan had
been drinking heavily for months. l
advised him several days ago to stop
drinking and 60 to work and train, He
promised he would. and had started out
aud walked about 10 days, causing .
swelling Of the feet. He was accustomed
to fortify himself with whisky before
each performance, and last night hS
probably took an extra large amount
as he felt more than usually out OF
sorts. | am convinced that had we
known more of his condition he would
never have gone on the stage"
DAN DoNovAN's DEATH.
Joe Dunfee, who boxed with Fita-
simmons last night, after the mishap to