The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-01-03
Mr.. MITCHELL FLUNKS
The Enslishman Shows the White
Feather and the Sports Are Hot.
SHARP IS THE GOVERNOR
When the Test Cases Arc Called
the Prosecuting Attorney Re-
fuses to Prosecute-Gnash
OF Teeth In Jacksonville.

JAcksoNvILLE, Jan. Charlie Mitchell
has shown the white feather, OF something
| that very much resembles that article.
Despite his alleged consuming desire to
face 1orbctt the developments of the day
seem to indicate that the Englishman Is
ready TO squeeze through any loophole TO
escape meeting the champion. That. and
| not the alleged knockout of the Duvai
Athletic club by Governor Mitchell in tho
courts here this morning, is the real sem
sation of the day in sporting circles.
After Solicitor Christie. under coercion
of the governor. refused to have anything
to do with the test case brought by the
| athletic club, tho managers OF the club
began casting about for ways and means
TO pull orr the affair in spite of the gov
ernor and tho courts. Manager Bowdcn
sent Harry Mason over To ~. Augustine
to sec Mitchell and induce him 10 sign
amended articles Of agreement. Tho
original articles at Mitchell's suggestion.
provided that the fight should occur
"within the town Of jacksonville" The
club to-day wished TO change tho clause
SO as To have il read that the fight should
occur within the state of Florida. Tho
purpose of the club was that IL might
agree to select place i'm tho state where
it was least likely that there would he in
| reference on the part OF tho authorities.
When tho situation of affairs Was cN-
| planned to Mitchell and lac was asked 10
| ailix his signature to tho amended arti-
| clcs of agreement, he ilatly refused To
| sign. lie said ho would never put his
| name TO paper unless the site for the
contest was definitely fixed. Harry Ma
son urged and eXpostuiated with the
Englisbman, telling him the change was
simply one of precaution against the gov
ernor's hostile attitude. but to no avail.
Mitchell absolutely refused TO sign and
Mason returned to jacksonville.
II looks now as ii Mitchell never really
desired TO go up against the American
champion and is taking advantage of tho
difficulties under which tho club is labor
ing. Tho managers of the club ARE in n
state of mind tonight and are roasting
the Englishman in sulphurous style. Man
ager Bowen said tonight he would go
over TO 81. Augustine tomorrow and
force Mitchell to sign the amended arti-
cles, or brand him to the world as having
shown the white feather.
Tho largest kind OF bomb was cx-
plodcd in the camp of the Duval Athletic
club to-day. 4 large crowd surrounded
tho court house waiting chance TO SEQ
the ring champions. When the case was
called neither man responded. Judge
Christie, the county solicitor, arose and
stated that no evidence had been found
in tho case. lie moved the release of tho
men from their bonds. As this was tho
only thing that could be done. Corbctt
and Mitchell were declared free men.
The next case was then called and those
interested in the pugilis,s filed slowly out
OF the room.
At first they did not fully understand
the purport of Judge Christies action, but
when they learned that the fight bad re-
ccivcd Il setback, they were exceedingly
angry with those instrumental In securing
the dropping of the case. The officials OF
tho club lave not as yet decided what
course to pursue. They remain firm in
their statements, however, that tho battle
will take place ns advertised despite the
odds they are fighting against.
| CINCINNArI. Jan. = Governor Mitchell
tclcGrapbed an evening paper his purpose
regarding the MIichell-C Corbctt fight thus
TNIItnAsSrE. fla, Jan. ., The Corbeit
Mitchell prize light VIII not take place in Florida
unless tho supreme court OF this state decides
there Is no law prohibiting such light. II vii
| not he necessary Ia proclaim martial law Ia pre-
vent such Il fight, but were Il necessary. should
| not hesitate Ia proclaim II, as am determine.
1
tho reach of the executive. There ran be n
doubt as 10 my position and people Who comf
here with the expectation Of seeing the laws o
the state violated by two thugs and their alder,
and abetters will be disappointed.
| III. l.. MITCHELL, Governor.
NLw YORK, Jan. A special TO tho
Press from Jacksonville says: Corbctt, IN
unbosomiug himself TO some friends to
day said: .'Some friends told mo wa.
foolish to mako n match with Mitchell
and now know they were right. II II IL
within my power will make that follow
fight before he gets out OF Florida. If hs
manages to sneak out OF this match d,
will pose as being the man who
was going 10 fight Corbeu.
know can whip him aud II,
knows il. Why, IL the Duval Athletic clul
, cauuot pull this thing or, will fight hin
! for glory. ] aui champion OF the world
4 aud will still only be the same If I beat
: him. but will risk IL all and without
, dollar at stake. il necessary, to bring thii
A fellow TO time. More than that. 1 viii
I agree 10 name man aid lot Mitchell
D name two men. privately pick
: fighting ground and the time for
i fight. These men need not adNis'
, US OF the time or place for th'
, contest until they think necessary. / vii
= | light be!Orc rs lew or as many men u
0 may happen 10 bo on the grounds. All
want Is 10 get at Mitchell and prove to tn
public jus; what lac is. ! am told nc re
fused 10 sign the agreement 10 fight II
private because he is already n fugitiv
. from justice in at least one state. Poppy
cock lie does not want 10 fight AM
4 won't IL be can get through this Will
enough false credit TO again hoodwink th
public. His game is to 60 on the road am
make money out OF bluils and my rcputa
| Non.'
: While Corbett was talking lac cienchc
' hl5 fists and pounded his knees TO empha
i sizc " hat lac said. Being asked how 500
;. hc would be ready 10 fight if Mitchell
e signed. he said: Five days, II Mitchell
= is willing or any other time lac wants, bu
Q leave il to the men he and select. 4
r this, OF course, is IN tho event of the Dt
val Athletic club being unable ~ 10 II