Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1894-01-23
MILITIA ON THE MOVE.
Gov. Mitchell Begins in Earnest tc
Stop the Corbett- Mitchell Fight.

WV HAhenoh 0oRlub IN 6hrneBt 10
Stop the Corbett- Mitchell Fight.
Despite the statements contained in
the leading Sunday dailies through
out the country and backed the Du-
val club of Jacksonville Fla, that the
great pugiltstic encounter between
Corbett and Mitchell, would undoubt-
edly take place at the time and place
appointed, there seems yet to exist
some very sirious doubts on tho sub
ject
"HonsF John Kelly, who.hods 500,
600, and who will referee the fight, if
1t takes place, is proving the stumb-
ling block. Kelly's demands for abso-
lutte police protection at the ringsite
has not been answered in manner
satisfactory to himself, and in addi-
ton he is now demanding that the
string which the club has attached to
the purse be removed. 1t will be re-
membered that the endorsement of
the check for $4,000 which Kelly
holds, makes it payable to him only
in the event the fight is brought to a
successful issue and on the endorse
ment on the club. Kelly demands
that the check be made payable to his
order unconditionally. He does nos
propose to have any kick coming from
the club after he renders the dicis-
ion
Kelly went down to Mayport to see
Corbett, and it is understood that the
Californian also demands that the
check be made unconditionally pays-
BILE to "Honst" John.
Charley Mitchell for one is backing
Corbett in the demand. If the club Ia
acting on the square, and is really de-
termined TO bring the men together
at any cost, ii can very easily sausfy
Kelly, Corbett and Mitchell on regard
to that purse. SO far the club has
taken no action, though it is said that
three members were urging that Kel-
ly's demands be acceeded to. But
even if the cl1b satisfies Kelly about
the check, it IS difficult to understand
how the referee can be guaranteed
absolute police protection.p Tho
club may aake guarantee, but it
will be worthless, for If Governor
Mitchell learns the spot chosen for the
mill no will undoubtedly have State
troops on the scene.
Manager Bowden, of tho Athletic
club, has renewed the story that
Mitchell would nuke at the last mo-
ment He said that the pugiist had
refused to accept the method of trans
portation to the ringside provided at
an expense of 5000 to the club. Bow
den further said; al got my conclus-
ions; all know is that there is some
body connected with this contest who
does not want to get in the ring and /
know the man.
Bowden was not allowed to say any
moro by the other members of the
club. Opinions vary at Bowden's de-
nunciation Of Mitchell, and the major
ity of them are not favorable to the
club. John Kelly, Jake Shiply, Jim
mie Coloosee, Harry Stedeker, Teddy
Foley and Ned Kearney, all promi-
nent sporting men, say that they have
every confidence in the world that the
contest will come off.
States Attorney Hartridge, who
went to Tallahassee in answer to the
Governors summons, returned and
stated the Gevernor said that Mitch
ell said that Mitchell and Corbett
must not meet in the bounds of Flori-
da.
In addition to all this Attorney Gen
eral Lamar and adjutant General
Houston, are both expect to arrive in
Jacksonville today, to be followed by
The second battalion of Florida Militia
tomorrow the latter be employed in
assisting local State officers in their
efforts to prevent the fight. Thus 1t
would seem that there must be battle
before there can be "fghtn
a., H..