The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-27
JIM CORBETr A WRECK.
The Poison I'm His Blood Breaking Out

New York, Sept. 2s-Many contradictory
stories about C0rbett's health have APP
peared in the New York papers recently.
some being 70 the effect that the cham
piOn was liz subject for the hospital. and
others that he was 1T TO fight for a mans
life or a kings ransom. A gentleman who
takes delight in seeing and reading about
pugilistic encounters. and who is in touch
with nearly al! the Eastern fighters. went
TO Corbetts training quarters yesterday
and looked the man over. He reports that
the disease which Is now bothering Cor
hett, even 10 the extent OF forcing him 10
let up on his training. is undeniably
blood disease. which is growing worse as
the champion becomes older The ailment
.s one OF several years standing. and IL is
at the present time developing more rap
Idly and seriously on account Of the dissi-
patton which Corbett has INDUCED in dur
ing his last two theatrical seasons Today
his features show marked evidences OF the
effect which his life has had upon his ply
steal condition. That his nervous system
is badly shattered is shown by the excita-
Bile temperament exhibited by him ar the
least annoyance. His face, which but
few years ago beamed with ambition and
Valor. now wears a detected. worried and
really painful expression. Great lines run
upward from the corners OF the mouth
and his eyes are sunken and iistless I'm
forehead are wrinkles. showing the vor-
ried and nervous state Of the pug.list
When seen yesterday the change in his
appearance was so perceptible that II could
but excite pity. THE quick. springy step
had given way to limp that was unques-
tonably painful his shoulders were round
90, and his head inclined forward so that
his chin all but rested on the collar OF his
sweater. No one who could see him could
trnthfully say that the Corhett Of today Is
tne Corbett who successfully knocked his
way 10 the front rank OF pugilism.
W nat Corhett really has 10 fear is the
trounie which has broken out IN his knee.
During the past three months II has been
SO serious that no work Of consequence
could be done at his training quarters. he
AT times being compelled 10 use crutches
ana upon one occasion to keep quiet alto
eetner Five expert physicians have ar
dlHerent times been called I'm attendance
but could render no immediate relief. The
aftliction IS in the nature Of sores near the
knee. which are accompanied hv evtsnsi,,o
swelling az the joint and excessive main
BIt as their treatment would result in
much sorer knee for the Immediate nres
ent and a longer absence from his v-orl~
az training quarters. a thing above all 9TH
ers the pugilist wanted 10 avoid. the doc
tors were accordingly dismissed and Billy
Newman. the well-known handler or sth-
ietes. was engaged TO bring the knee
around so that training could he resumed
and his preparation concluded for his
championship battle In so doing Corh.-t
merely drove the disease back into his svs-
tenn.
Constant and vigorous rubbing. with fire.
ouent applications Of strong linirnert
are necessary 10 keep the knee AZ any
thing Ike its normal size. Corbeft. when
the first Tumors Of his diseased knee vvern
made. put ont strenuous denial ana staten
that ne was in the hest Of condition and
as good as he ever was The bad ranorts
Of hts health. however. finally became so
strongly hacked with indisnutahle proof
that Corhett and his manager. Brady. last
week acknowledged the truth
Corbett says that while his knee and feet
have been a source Of great ANNOYANCE he
IS otherwise well and strong He FRANKLY,
admits that he is not in such condition as
he would Ike 10 be. but gives as a reason
a lack Of training. He will not admit mat
he VIII be otherwise than In frst-clasS con
cltiou when he enters the ring with Fitz-
simmons but this taking into considera-
ton his present condition. would ha moth
Ing short 81 miraculous
Persons who have known Corbett for a
long time believe the report Of his breal,
down. Those who are familiar with his
habits have sail repeatedly that the dis
case spoken OF tn the New York dfspatcb
would carry him on. There IS every ~ea-
son for believing that the statements in
the dispatch are true.