The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-03
WOULD NOT SIGN.
Mitchell Has Shown the
White Feather.
NEVER ANXIOUS TO FIGHT.
He Took the First Chance to
Crawl Out of 1t.
NEVER ANXIOUS TO FIGHT
ARTICLES REJECTED.
Flimsy Pretext Under Which the
Englishman Seeks to Evade
Meeting With Corbett.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 2.-Charley
Mitchell has shown the white feather, or
something that very much resembles that
article. Despite his alleged consuming de-
sire to face Corbett. the developments Of
to-day seem to indicate that the English
man is ready 10 squeeze through any loop
hole to escape meeting the champion.
That, and not the alleged knockout of the
Duval Athletic Club by Governor Mitchell
in the courts here this morning, is the real
sensation of the day in sporting circles.
The story of the knockout in the courts
is. however. an interesting one as having
been the first bomb exploded in the camp
of the athletic club people, and as showing
little bit of the reserve power of the
Governor. When the case was called
neither man responded and Judge Christie,
County Solicitor. arose and stated that no
evidence had been found in the case and
moved the release of the two men from
their bonds. AS this was the only thing
to be done, Corbett and Mitchell were de-
cared free men.
The next case was then called, and those
interested in the pugilists filed slowly ont
of the room. At first they did not fully
understand the Judges action, but when
they learned tie fight had received a bad
setback they were exceedingly angry with
those instrumental In securing the drop
ping of the case. The officials of the
club nevertheless insisted that the fight
would take place; or al least they did un-
til they received their setback from
Mitchell.
After Solicitor Christie had refused to
have anything to do with the test case
brought by the athletic club, the mana
gers began casting about for ways and
means TO pull off the affair in spite # the
Governor and the courts. Manager Bow
den sent Harry Mason over to ST. Angus
tine to see Mitchell aud induce him to sign
amended articles of agreement. The
original articles, at Mitchell's suggestion,
provided that the fight should occur
within two miles of Jacksonville" The
club to-day wished TO change this clause
so as TO have it read that the fight should
occur within the State of Florida" The
purpose of the club was that it might agree
TO select some place in the State where it
was least likely that there would be inter-
ference on the part of the authorities.
When the situation of affairs was ex-
planned to Mitchell and be was asked to
of agreement he fatty refused to sign,
He said he would never put his name to
paper unless the place for the contest was
definitely fixed. Harry Mason urged and
expostulated with tie Englishman. telling
him that the chsnge.was one of precaution
IN view of the Governors hostile attitude,
but to no avail. Mitchell absolutely re-
fused to sign and Mason returned to Jack
sonville.
II looks now as though Mitchell never
really desired TO go up against the Ameri-
can champion and is taking advantage of
the difficulties under which the club is
labOring. The managers of the club are
in no pleasant state of mind tonight and
are roasting the Englishman in sulphurous
style. Manager Bowden said tonight
that he would go over tn St. Augustine to-
morrow and force Mitchell to sign the
amended articles or brand him to the
world as having shown the white feather