The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-01
FitzsimmonS Detained by Officers
at the Capital City of
Arkansas.
so HE DID NOT FACE CORBETT
Governor Clarke Succeeded in Stopping
the Big Fight, but SIN aller Ones
Are Billed.

HOT SPRINGS, ARK, Oct. 31.-Froth
and vaporing have been The principal
characteristics of the day which was to
witness the great pugilistic com bat for the
worlds championship between Corbett
and FitZsimmons. Instead of solid punches
against solid flesh there has been little else
than words and wind. Only three real
facts stand clearly out from the torrent OF
disputation, argument, and at times
heated controversy in which the aggrega-
tion of out-of-town sports INDUCED with
brief intervals for refreshment from the
breakfast until midnight.
One is that Corbett has failed to find a
com batant and is still the champion heavy
weight of the world a second, that the
champion and his manager, William A.
Brady, have decided to submit to the Gov
ernor's authority by surrendering them
selves in Little Rock tomorrow morning,
and third, that final and supreme effort
will be made to carry through the carnival
programme next week, as witness the Of
fetal announcement that Steve O'DonnelI
and Peter Maher will pull off their match
in Wilmington Park al o'clock on Mon
day afternoon.
The action of the authorities in relation
to this battle Will decide the question
whether Corbett and Fitzsimmons may
fight in public on Arkansas soil.
The arrival on the early morning and
MONDAY trains of between 400 and 500
sports from New York, Chicago, St. Louis,
Kansas City, Memphis and other points
has a tendency toward livening up the
town, and the scenes in and about the Ar
lington Hotel were decidedly animated
Parson Davies, with his aggregation of
stars, including John L. Sullivan, Paddy
Ryan, Tommy Ryan (who is matched 10
meet Smith), came in. Everybody wanted
10 see the redoubtahle John l., and be-
tween dignified citizens and the big-boned,
why individuals who came in from valley
and mountain the ex-champion's right
arm was pretty severely tested for nearly
an hour. Then he was piloted about town
with admiring crowds of men and boys
following in his wake.
But the bulk of the visitors had come
for business rather than for their health
and as soon as they had got their bearings
they wanted to know just what the situa-
tion was. 1t did not take many words to
explain that Corbett was in town and
ready to be produced in the ring in fifteen
minutes notice; that there was actually a
ring, and substantial one at that, in
which to produce him, but unfortunately
for all concerned Bob Fitzsimmons was in
the custody of the law good many miles
away and even had forgotten to send ex-
cuses or regrets for his non-appearance on
this eventful day. This was supplemented
with the information that probably the
two men could be gotten together early
next week after the court proceedings
had resulted in their being placed under
peace bonds.
There was a general demand, however
for some entertainment more immediate
and definite, and some one suggested that
Maher and O'Donnell might bring off their
fight in the opera-house tonight for the
gate receipts. The proposition spread ike
wildfire and created a whirlwind OF excite
ment. Brady was hunted up and found to
be willing. Manager Quinn, for Maher,
was equally agreeable. Steve ODonnell
had been turned loose IN a bath and was
being rubbed down to give his flesh glow.
Then it was remembered that travelling
theatrical company had possession of the
opera-house for the evening and would
probably demand a good round figure to
gested that the men could start in at II
O'Clock or at midnight, when the ring
builder protested that he could not pos
sibly get safe ring on the stage in the
space of two hours.
The upshot was that after that matter
had been regarded as good as settled the
meeting was declared impracticable.
After this there was a consultation be-
tween Brady, Quinn, Parson Davies and
others concerned and it was finally agreed
that announcements should be made that
Maher and ODonnell should meet at
Wilmington Park on Monday afternoon
and Smith and Ryan at the same place on
the following day. In the meantime the
peace proceedings against the champion
and Fitzsimmons at Little Rock would
have been disposed of ana the great fight
could take place on Thursday, or a post
ponement for one week from the original
date.
Manager Brady's word, and it has proved
itself reliable ever since he came to Hot
Springs, must be taken for the statement
that early this morning Corbett was driven
from a private house where he is stopping
TO Whittington Park. where he walked
about the then uncompleted ring in order
to comply with the articles of agreement
and thus be in position to claim the for
felt and championship.
Peter Maher however, was not satisfied
with Brady's story, and with Manager
Quinn and number of spectators he
waited IN the park from IL until after II
o'clock intending to challenge Corbett
should the latter put in an appearance.
4
most chilled to the bone by the bleak
winds, they returned to the city. In the
meantime the workmen had completed
operations in the ring. 1t is a substantial
analr OF heavy timber, and standing six
ieet from the ground. Both the posts and
the ropes are padded with red and white
COltQQ hattan No hou