Evening journal., 1894-01-22
MITCHELL GOES LAME.
The English Pugilist is Not Anx-
ious to Fight.
TIE BIG MATCH MAY NOT COME OFF

n Npraiucd Ankle aud a Dislike TO Sleep
Ing Tn the Woods In a Palace Car Given
as Reasons For Backing Out-He Has
Much at stake.
JAcKsoHvILLE, Fla, Jan. GA report
has come up from the Mitchell training
quarters TO the effect that the English
champion had sprained aud wrenched his
leg during his exercise The club sent a
commissioner to Anastasia island to notify
Mitchell that a special car would be in
readiness for him on Wednesday morning
According 20 the commissioner when he
returned, Mitchell was In a very unpleas
ant state of mind when he learned what
was required of him. IL Is said that he de
clared he would not fight under the aus
pices Of such club and that he had put up
with too many OF their bluffs already.
The commissioner was then told Of the
injury which the English champion had
sustained. How serious that may be Is not
learned. Al Smith, however, came out
with proposition In which he offered to
bet 5000 against 81 600 that, sprained an.
kle or not. Mitchell would get into thering
with Corhett on Thursday.
The Duval club has issued an editt I'm re
sponse TO the assertions which Mitchell Il
said to have made, in which the English
man Is served with a formal warning that
the club would claim his forfeit of 5000 II
he did not appear at the point indicated IN
the original summons Wednesday 40 q a.
m. In addition 60 this it is authortatively
stated that the referee will award the s., ,OOO
side bet to Corbett in that event
Looks Like Baohdown.
Another account says that there Is hard.
ly a chance now that the Corbett- Mitchell
fight will take place. II Mitchell has not
backed down, he has come close to IL. To
day he gave out the following letter.
CHARLES MTCHELL-In answer 20 your tele.
gram of even date will say that we had pro
vided nc our expense a sure plan by which you
could have reached the battle-ground In safety
from arrest or Interference and which you re.
lcctcd. You will please report 10 this club, Niis
Bay street, on the morning of Jan. 25, at 1
O'Clock. Yours very truly
HAIRY MASON.
President Duval Athletic Club.
Mitchell declared TO the reporters that he
would pay no attention o the letter. Pm
not going to 60 there and be followed by a
mob. That will give the whole bleeding
thing away. Why, that club will be watch
ed all night Those Duval people are a
lot of chumps. They wanted me TO 20 on
L a NAA W RNNAkAt NAt Ahl uthNit Aut iONAtol
and fight there after sleeping in the woods
all night told them I'D see them blowed
hrst and this is what they give me in re.
turn. What do you think of themw
This is not Mitchell real reason He
/ sprained his ankle couple of days ago.
and II Is now in bandages. He wrenched a
tendon while running up and down the
steps of the lighthouse.
The injury was not serious, but il was
evident TO the Englishman that he. would
get lame in the ring II the battle was Of
any length, and he took advantage of thil
loophole. The fact OF this injury TO his
tendon. has been kept very quiet When
the news Of Mitchell's action reached th,
Duyal Athletic club, they were astonished
A man close TO the club declared that II
Mitchell backed down completely II would
prove costly for him, as Referee Kelly
would decide against him the 81 600 bet
Mitchell has with Brady that he will be at
the ringside and the 5000 side bet now in
the hands of Dave blanchard of Boston.
Denver Smith Has a challenge Ready.
| DENVER, Jan. 23. Denver Smith left the
city for Jacksonville, Fla, 20 challenge thC