The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-16
HIS HAND STILL HIDDEN.
The Governor Fails to Arrest the
Negro Price fighters.

pointed-Manager Bowden Goes to
Have Talk With the Governor-The
Latter Said to Be Relying on the
Militia to Stop the Fight.
Jacksonville, Fla, Jan. 15.-Harris and
Watkins, the negro pugilists, met at the
opera house tonight under articles of
agreement identical with those signed by
Corbett and Mitchell, and were not inter
fered with. The meeting was under the
supervision of the chief of police. and the
referee was vested with the power to
stop the mill whenever it reached appoint
indicating danger to life and limb.
BIG CROWD PRESENT.
When time was called at o'clock there
was large crowd present. "Billy" Tay-
lor, the well known sport, was referee,
and Pat Raedy, local pugilist, time
keeper. Two negroes held the bottles,
Chief of Police Keefe representing the
city, and Deputy Sheriff Vinzant, repre-
senting Sheriff Broward and the state,
were on the stage.
ENDED IN ONE ROUND.
AS coon as time was called the negroes
went at il viciously. After some sharp
in-fghting they broke away, and almost
Immediately Watkins got an opening and
landed a heavy right on Harris
stomach, following it up with
opponent on the corner of
the left eye, the blood squirting from
the blow. This was entirely too hot for
Harris, and he refused to continue, say
ing he had been drunk all day and was in
no condition to fight The decision
therefore, went to Watkins and also four
tifths of the $50 purse, the other S10going
to Harris. Time LEO.
THE CROWD SHOUTS FAKE.
This summary end of the bout by no
means pleased the crowd, and they began
to snout fake, fake" The management
wanted to put up local talent but Chief
of Police Keefe said that the license
called for meeting between Harris and
Watkins, and no other men would be
allowed to fight under that license.
Then the management urged Har
ris to continue the fight, but
Deputy Sheriff VinZant arose and said if
the men went together as they had done
he would arrest them. The men then
SPARED four friendly rounds, Watkins
outpointing Harris. The blow Harris re-
ceived over the eye was fearful one, and
blood streamed down his face as he
spared. Watkins left eye was also cut.
THE sHBRIFF AND THE GOVERNOR.
Sheriff Broward this morning wired
Gov Mitchell for instructions as to his
course in regard to the meeting between
the negroes, but if he received auy re-
ply, he did not diVulge its nature. The
club people tonight are talking of swear
ing out warrants against the negroes in
the morning, thus bringing the prize fight
question into the courts, with the hope
of getting q decision that will enable
them to bring about the Corbett-Mitchell
fight.
THE CLUB PEOPLE DISAPPOINTED.
The club people were disappointed that
the state authorities took no action to
stop the contest. They were hopeful to
the last moment that Gov. Mitchell would
interfere, thereby showing his hand and
giving them an idea of what might be ex-
pected if Corbett and Mitchell meet. But
the governor it is said, has never intended
to interfere with the fight between the
negroes, believing that it was simply
dummy" affair, arranged by the club to
draw him out with the intention of gain
ing some point in the legal complications
which state interference would have
brought about, which might be used to
advantage in theattempt to bring Corbett
and Mitchell together.
THE GOVERNOR RATHER FOXY.
The governor, however, is rather
''foxy" himself aud so he kept his hands
off the negroes and is still free to carry
out his intentions in regard to the Cor
bett-Mitchell fight without running
counter to a decision from any court in
Jacksonville. The club people know this,
and they feel that the governor has clev-
erly eluded the snare which had been set
for him. The impression here is that at
present the governor has the club in a
hole, so far as pulling off the big mill pub
licly is concerned, if he maintains his
present attitude
BowDEN GOES TO TALLAHASSEE.
The club people seem to be of the same
opinion, too, for Manager Bowden, of the
club, tonight left for Tallahassee, the
state capital, where he will have an in
terview with the governor tomorrow.
Mr. Bowden goes, it is understood, to
make last plea to the governor to let up
in his opposition and allow the Corbett-
Mitchell match to be fought Mr.. Bow
den has always backed the governor po-
litically in this tDuvaD county, and,
therefore, has some claim TO executive
consideration, so the club people assert.
But the club has been so de-
fant in it's attitude toward the
governor, and the latter has taken such q
determined stand against the fight that
lew OClASNS N1L. DONhClA buRpllCdblDu
will result in any benefit to the club.
For the governor 20 back down now
would be suicidal in view of the backing
which he is receiving from all parts Of
Florida outside of Jacksonville.
THE GOVERNORS PLAN.
The governors plan in regard to the
big mill, should the club attempt TO bring
off the fight in Jacksonville, is said to be
to mass the state militia here in sufficient
force to insure the arrest of the principals
and their hackers, and to overawe the
club people should the latter be disposed
to make resistance. 1t is understood that
the governor has all his plans consumma-
ted to this end.
DON'T WANT TROOPS CALLED OUT.
A great many of the people of Jackson
vile, including many of those opposed to
the fight, do not relish the idea of the
city being turned into an armed camp and
a call is being circulated tonight for a
mass meeting TO morrow to protest
against the proposed calling out OF the
militia by the governor. This petition re-
cites that the calling out Of the troops
would work great harm to the city's bust
ness interests and urges the gov
ernor not to interfere. Not a
great many have signed the
call so far, but among the signers are
some Of the most prominent firms in the
city.
NOT ApT rro TIVE NV ppvECT