The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-01-27
HE rs AFRAID.
Mitchell, II is Said, Fears to Serw
Time in Southern Jail.
The English Prize Fighter Processes ts
Feel Very Indignant at the Treatment
Which lie Is Receiving Mt the Hands
OF tho Duval Athletic Club.


JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 22.--The
sensation of the day here is report
that Charley Mitchell is trying to ovade
a meeting with Corbett as agreed
upon. 1t is said that he has declined to
accept the transportation provided for
him from his quarters to the ring side,
and that serious complication is like.
ly to arise out of it.
When asked about this at his cottage
on Anastasia island Sunday night,
Mitchell professed to feel very indig-
nant at the treatment which he is re-
ceiving at the hands of the Duval Ath-
1etic club, and in proof of it exhibited
the following letter:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 20.
Mr.. Charles Mitchell, Anastnsia Island, Fla:
DEAR SIR-In answer to your telegram OF
even date will say that we had provided at
our expense sure plan by which you could
have reached the battle ground in safety from
arrest and interference, and you have rejected.
You will please report to this club No. 81
West Bay street, on the morning Of January
Is. ut 6 o'clock. Yours truly,
HARRY MASON, President D. A. c.
II don't know what Mason means by
this" said Mitchell 1.-THE club has
never offered me any means of trans
portation, and my telegram was simply
an inquiry about the clubs arrange.
ment l haye rejected no offer what
exer, and l am ready to do anything in
reason to meet Corbett in the ring"
There is general belief, however,
that Mitchell is trying to crawl out Of
the match.
1t looked like slim chance Sunday
night for Corbett and Mitchell to come
together Indications are that Mitchell
is going to back out even if the club
succeeds in bringing the other condi-
tions to successful issue. The club
has offered him all sorts Of induce
ments and assurances that he will not
be molested by law, but he seems
afraid that he will have to serve time
in one of the southern jails. He said
Sunday that lie was sick of signing
| articles and such things, and that he
wanted the matter settled one way or
| another.
A. G. Hartridge, states attorney for
the fourth judicial district, which takes
in six counties, including that in which
Jacksonville is situated, has instructed
the sheriIfs of those six counties to
carefully watch developments. The
second battalion of state militia, about
one hundred strong. will march to
Jacksonville Tuesday, and camp here
until the date set for the fight.
John Kelly visited Corbett Sunday to
get his views on the twenty-thousand-
dollar check. Kelly said he knew it
was not worth anything with its pres.
ent indorsed conditions. Corbett said
thai he had preferred all along that
the money be placed up, but he wanted
Mitchell to make the kick, as he knew
he would. Kelly will go and see Nit
chell Monday, and get his views on the
check question.
The Duval Athletic club is sparring
for wind. 1t wants to postpone put
ting up the actual cash until it sees
how many likely-looking producers
Mondays trains from the north will
deposit in the hot Florida sands. Sun
days arrivals were extremely light
Sporting men who are here now
and those who are likely tc
come between now and Thurs
day, could not be made to give ur
$4,000 to the Duval Athletic clut
at the point of a pistol. Hotel mer
who have subscribed to the stock of the
club complain that the fight has not
made the slightest difference in theil
business, and judging from the size o.
their bills, they are collecting thei.
losses pro rata from the good game, the
few who have come here and are will
ing to take their chance. Bowden
who dreamed of fortune out of the
affair, just now does not know if he i.
afoot or horseback.