The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-01
PUUILISTS ON TRIAL.
The Case Against Corbett for the
Jacksonville Fight.
CONVICTION DEEMED IMPOSSIBLE.
Should the Trial So Result, However.
Mitchell and the Leaders of tho Duyal
Athletic Club Will he Brought Up.
Both Pugiiists on Hand.

Both PugIiists on Hand.
JACKSONVILLE, March l. - Champion
James J. Corhett is now on trial before
Judge Phillips in the criminal court OF
this city for engaging in prize fight with
Charles Mitchell on the 25th of last Jan
uary. II Corbett is found guilty then
Mitchell will be tried, and after the En-
glishman has been disposed of j. E, Il.
Bowden, late manager of the Duval Ath-
letfc club Harry Mason, president of the
club; Joe Nendig and Louis Sihler will be
tried on n charge of aiding and abettlng
the hight The court opened at o.30 a. m,
and long before that time there was n
large crowd OF people gathered about the
court house. Corbett arrived at the court
about Q o'clock, accompanied by his man
ager, William A. Brady A ma aiOlity of
the people about the court house were
either sports or those who like to follow
in the wake of the sporting gentry. When
Corbett arrived and pushed through the
crowd he was slightly cheered
just after the Judge had taken his scat
on the bench MITCHELL accompanied by
his manager, Billy Thompson, arrived.
They took seats near Corbett and Brady.
John h. Hartridge, attorney for the club
here, rose and stated that he waived the
arraignment of Corbett and entered q
plea of not guilty. Solicitor Christie then
read the charge and the work of securing
a jury was begun
This was the occasion of much spnrring
between the attorneys, one side or the
other objecting to nearly every candidate
for the jury box. Finally the six men, the
number only being required by Florida
law in mlsdemeanor cases, We're secured.
Two of the jurors are negroes, and four OF
them are from the rural dist ricts of Duval
county.
Al this point the court adjourned for
dinner. On reconyening the examination
of witnesses was begun. Sheriff Br0ward,
City Attorney Bars, Judge Baker and
many others We're introduced by the state
They all testified as TO events preceding
the fight, and as to what happened in the
arena on the day of the fight The state
established the fact that the fight was by
previous appointment" a contest for
bidden by Florida law, but did not fare so
well when an attempt was made to estab-
lish malice The witnesses all testified
that Gorbett seemed good natured during
the three rounds, save at one time, and
that was when he committed The alleged
foul on Mitchell.
~ iH hhd'io'3oa lhdt hWH'iFu ~, foN, oI
New York, will be the only witness offered
by the defense. He will be introduced as
an expert to prove that glove contests can
not be brutal The impression left by yes
terday developments is that conviction is
impossible. In fact, there were certain
phases of the trial that suvored of the far
cical IT, however. aconviction is secured
the case will go 10 Judge Call on appeal.
y verdict IS expected this evening
Gorbctt gave an eXhibtiouat st. Angus
tine last night.
Attorney General Lamar while not tax
ing. an active part in the trial, is here
watching the interests Of the state.