Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-24
WILL 1T COME Off
The Question Sporting Circles Ask
About the Big Fight
SCENES at JACKSONVILLE TODAY.
Citizens Raliying to Gov. MitcheII's
Support.
THE GOSSIP OF THE TOWN.

JACKSONVILLE. Fa., Jan. 24-This IN
the day before the promised ring fight. ana
on Market street. I'm this city, the second
battalion of Florida state troops are march-
ing and counter marching on parade In the
rain and along the state line of Georgia
troops are patrolling on foot and on horse
back under orders from Governor Northen
to repel the invasion of fighters Corbets
is In hiding somewhere.
Crowds are gathering in the court house
here TO hear the argument in the injunc-
ton case and the whole community is up-
set with excitement The prospects for q
fight are not at all remote, but it is not
probable that the fight will be according to
the rules provided by the thoughtfulness
OF the Marquis Of Queensbury Plenty OF
men hereabouts are fighting mad and the
number of shoulders on which chips are
delicately balanced is only equaled by the
number OF shoulders graced by epaulets
Railyfng to the Governor side.
There is one new phase of the situa ton
which is rapidly coming into conspicuous
prominence. and that is that Governor
Mitchell is being supported in a very sub
stantial way by very substantial men.
Mr.. Flagler has insisted from the starr
place here would not only be a disgrace to
the state. but would work IT great moral
injury.
1t is now evident that this view is shared
by a great many of the people here whose
support would be Of vast aid 10 the govern
or. Even here in Jacksonville, where at
nrst, many citizens We're carried away INV
the prospece Of having the city benefited
by an outpour OF cash which IL was promis-
ed the northern sports would rain down ON
the just and the unjust alike. are beginning
TO thoughtfuly reconsider their original
opinion.
That this change OF heart has been. I'm n
measure prompted by evidence of the char
acter OF men attracted here recently there
can be no doubt.
Pickpockets I'm Abundance.
While the well-known sporting r7en have
conducted themselves in a quiet and order.
ly manner, the wretched gang following In
their wake have already caused trouble ana
disorder. One OF Pinkerton's most expert
thief-catchers is here. and has quietly
warned his friends to be cautious ana
watchful in regard to their valua bles. an
the city is overrun with pickpockets thieves
and thugs. Information of this character
has at last reached the quiet ana orderly
citizens of the town. and they are alarmed
and distressed.
1t has seemed until now that the citisens
were almost a unit in condemning the gov
ernors Interference. but those who side
with MIN are not the ones to air their
opinions In a manner to have them reflect
cd In the press dispatches, SO the situation
mas not been accurately portrayed.
bat now they are beginning to make
themselves heard. They are asking what
KIND OF innovation has been invited here
that require armed troops in their streets
to watch and are amazed that the gov
ernor OF neighboring state should see
something in Florida which justffes the
trOODS off
The sheriff of this county still intimates
that IL the decision of Judge Call is ia
vorable to the Duval Club the fight viii
take place here in Jacksonville. but those
best acquainted with Gov. Mitchell think
otherwise.
More Troops Ordered TO the Scene.
JACKSONVILLE. Fla. Jan. 24.-As fore.
shadowed in these dispatches last night
the governor has made preparations TO
add to his available force OF troops already
In the city the entire FIRST battalion, OF
practically the same strength as the second,
which arrived yesterday afternoon. The
Jacksonville company was under arms By
noon. and the outside companies are al
ready in marching trim. and simply await
Ing the order to start for Jacksonville.
When these men are brought here the en-
tire army of the state, with the exception
OF few small companies. will have been
concentrated-fn all perhaps something over
go men. The officials have tried hard to
Keep quiet the fact of the ordering out OF
additional troops, and even denied this
morning the summoning of the Jacksonville
company But when one sees the orderly
sergeant Of the local company skirrnishinG
around at midnight notifying the men TO
report for duty at a certain hour in the
morning and gets positive information OF
the same sort from the localities in which
the other companies are located the denialo
go into the same book as the conflicting
stories usually told reporters here.
The feeling among the troops already in
the city still runs high against the treat /
nent they were subjected TO last night. ]
The men discuss the question this morning
and more than one wish was expressed 4
that the companies would be called into !
action, that they might have a chance TO /
avenge the alleged insults offered them 4
by the crowd
1T needs but one rash move" said an I
officer In speaking OF the situation. Ito ,
precipitate the bloodiest battle ever seen
In Florida 1 had hard work last night to
restrain some OF my men from firing upon
the crowd. and i am afraid that the next
time l viii not be so fortunate. III we are
offered no more insults. however. i think
my men will quiet down and the trouble
VIII be averted."
The Jacksonville boys who have thus far
been seen will say but little as TO their
feelings on the subject OF being ordered
out.
The story has been current for weeks
that they were opposed 10 the idea that
they would resist such order and would
gladly welcome a court-rnartial. feeling safe
in the contention that the governor has no
warrant of law for ordering them out I'm the
manner he has and for such a purpose So
far, however, no indications OF a refusal on
the part of any of them TO respond 10 the
call to duty have been made manifest. al
though the calling out Is. without doubt
extremely distasteful TO many of them.
Cumming the Guard."
About IL O'Clock this morning something
Of stir was created by the sight of a num-
ber of officers and privates-the latter car
rying rifles with bayonets fxed-rapidly
up one street and down another
in the business portion OF the city and even
up to the residence districts.
The rumor soon spread that several Of
the members OF companies from outside
points had rebelled against the duty on
which they We're engaged. that they had
learned since reaching here things that
completely dsgusted them with the task
imposed upon them, and had taken the
first opportunity of leaving barracks with
the intention Of taking a train for home.
The detail of men which marched in the
streets was for the purpose Of intercepting
and arresting them.
When these stories Were Investigated II
was found like most other stories orig
mating in jacksonville and having refer
ance with anything remotely or otherwise
with the prize hight they were way Of"
The orders issued by the commander cf
he second battalion are very strict. He