The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-17
FITzsIMM0Ns BROKEN Up.
says He Didn't Hit Rfordau Hard Enough
to Hurt "a Child.

says He Didn't Hit Riordan Hard Enough
TO Hurt a Child
SYRAcUsE, N. ~, Nov. 1.-THE fatali-
ty which occurred in Jacob Street thea
ter in this city last evening and which
resulted in the death Of Riordan. who re-.
ceived blow from Bob Fitzsimm0ns in
a sparring exhibition, is the second spar
ring fatality in this city. Fitz is ia Gus
tody and Riordan's body is at the
mOrgue.
~Yank" Sullivan brought the news of
his sparring partners death to Fitz
My Godl you don't mean 10 tell me
Connie is dead, said the pugilist
cannot believe it. did not hit him hard
enough to injure a child"
Fitzsim mons was completely broken
up over the affair. He did not sleep at
all last night and refused to eat this
morning.
You can have anything in the world
you want, Fitz. IL you will only ask for
it, said the officer in charge Of the police
station.
That's the way they will treat me.
You're very kind " was Bob's reply.
To a reporter Fitzsimrnons said: 'D0
you suppose L would STRIFE my sparring
partner with any fOrces / knew he had
been drinking hard but did not know hc
was in such condition. Invariably
when I SPARED with hisa he turned blue
around the mouth, and Il was a sign fox
Last night ] noticed after the first
exchange Of blows that he was not right.
The blow that / delivered that caused
the trouble was light as 1 could make 10,
merely slapping him with the back OF
my hand lie fell down and then rose
and staggered around. / put my arm
around him to assist him off the stage.
"When he fell, headlong, / thought be
was taking, and was thoroughly dis
gusted because somebody in the house,
thinking il was a fake, hissed me.
was never hissed before. / began to
com prehend in few minutes that some
thing was wrong with my sparring part
ner, and / was horritied 70 find him still
unconscious. ] attributed this TO his
drunken condition and thought he would
revive from the stupor in a few minutes.
IL have known this man for eight years
and he was always hard drinker
presume he had some heart difficulty thar
caused the disaster. 1 am not fearful oi
my position Every body in the opera
house was aware that the blow which
struck was as light AS / could possibly
make it. Naturally it makes my blood
run cold when / think Of the condition
Of my friend, not because 4 have auv
fear of the results to me, bat don't wan-
that mans death laid at my door
An autopsy was held on RiOrdan's RE-
mains at IL a. The certificate issued
gives as the cause of death "hem-
morhage within the cranial cavity, caus-
ing compression of the BRAIN
r. ordan was found to be in perfect
health. DR. ID. ~ Tolman, who coa-
Quoted the autopsy, says that korlaa
must nave been struck terrific Atlsv
on his chin, which commu lioatel
direct with the base OF the
brain. The depression of tae
right side Of the brain was
very deep and remained for half an
hour after the ciot was removed
Fuzsimmons was arraigned in police
court 1T ] O'clock on charge oi man
slaughter in the first degree.
When Fltzs mmons appeared before
Judge Northrup for bail il was
then discovered that his attorney
had failed TO waive examination
in his behalf This formality was neces-
sary before he could be released and hc
was locked mp in the court house cells
until the police justice could he found.
Manager Glori says that kiOrdan VIII
be buried in this city tomorrow, a. he
has no relatives in this country who
might wish the remains. The tuzsim-
mons company is giving matinee al the
jacobs opera house. On Monday Mr.
GlOri says the company will 60 I'd Boston
for weeks engagement