Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-27


At 4:2O when Referee Siler called both
men to the centre of the ring to give them
their instructions and warn them against
fouing or other infractions of the CODE
the spectators enjoyed the first opportu-
nifty of seeing them face to face. Fitz-
simmons presented a better appearance
than in any of his previous encounters
His flesh was hard and pink and the veins
stood out like whip cords. Maher, on the
contrary, appeared somewhat nabby,
while his movements on his feet
lacked the agility that characterized
those of Fitzsmmons. Manager Quinn
had evidently been honest in the opinion
that he gave the United Press q couple of
days ago.
pete is not in tho condition that l
would like him to be in"
THE BATTLE.
Time was called at l2j and the spccta-
tors pressed to the ropes.
Fitzsimmons led with his left, Maher
backed towards his corner, Fitzsimmons
landed with his right and clinch follow
ed. Maher struck Fitzsmmons with his
right hand while they were clinched and
Referee Siler warned him that If he did
so again he would give the fight to Fiiz-
simmons. After breakaway Peter land
ed his left on Fitzsmmons neck. Close in
fighting followed and Maher succeeded in
landing his left on Fits upper lip, draw
ing blood, Fitz landed his left on Mahor
and followed 1t with a right. clinch
followed. Mahcr tented. and Fitz led his
right but fell short. a mix up followed in
which Maher landed both right and left
on either side of Fits head Maher led
with his left and another clinch followed.
Ftz seemed a bit bothered and broke
ground on Makers leads. Maher followed
him up and led with his left, when Fitz
side stepped and swinging his right landed
I lot nf
Mahor measured his length on the floor
! his head striking the canvas with great
! force. He vainly attempted to rise but
could not do more than raise his head.
| His second called on him to get up, but
he failed to respond and sank back to the
canvas. The fatal 10th second was count
cd and Maher was declared out and Fitz-
simmons announced the victor after one
minute and 80 seconds rather lively fight
| ing.
CHEER THE CONQUERER.
| Fitzsimmons' admirers cheercd him to
the echo, and Mahcr's seconds carried the
| defeated Irishman to his corner. 1t was
several minutes before he realized what
! had happened to him Then Fitzsimmons
walked over to his corner and shook him
! by the hand Ftzsimmons also shook
hands with Quinn and the seconds in
| Peters corner
Barring the slight bleeding at the nos
trils occasioned by the left-handed jab of
Maher, the Cornish man showed no marks
of injury and appeared as fresh as at the
/ opening of hostilities
Maher showed no signs of punishment
except a slight break in the skin JUS
above the point of the chin where Fitz-
simmons master stroke had landed.
| When the cheering of the people around
the ropes and the waving Of handkerchiefs
| by those upon the mountain summit had
/ "A 81 m INN N 4;
/ had tired of bowling his appreciation, Jul
liam took the centre of the ring and made
the following announcement with theatre
cal effect:
CHALLENGES THE WORLD
4 Gentlemen, Mr.. Fitzsmmons has work
ed himself up from the bottom of the lad
der and by the decision of the referee IL
now the champion of the world lie Is
ready to defend the title against all COM
ers at any time or place. No man is barr
ed and all corners will receive recogni-
ton"
Then came shouts of warning that the
pontoon bridge was in danger of being
washed away by the strong current. The
lighters and assistants hastily gathered
their wraps together and the crowd rush
ed for the Texas side. All got over safely
MAHER's EXCUSE.
Peter Maher and his following were a
disappointed looking lot of individuals, as
they tramped their way back across the
rocks and sand to the train. Peter was
unusually communicative.
"Well, it was a chance blow that did the
work." he said. Il did the best | coult
I under the circumstances. My condition
was not of the best, but as a further post
:, ponement was not to be considered by
the F'itzsimmons crowd, / was obliged &c
go into the ring. My eyes were in worse
condition than ] believed them to be nnt
] found my gauge of distance at fault
However, ! still believe that | am able
TO whip Fitzsimmons or any other man IN
the world. If FitZsimmons proves himself
champion, i will challenge him again anC
will be ready to meet him at any spot OF
at any time. 1t was not "a bit over con.
fident. ] knew my condition better than
any one else and fought Fitzsimmons only
when his arbitrary actions made 1t neces-
sary TO do so or be proclaimed "a coward. u
Immediately after the fight, Mr.. Rector
on behalf of the kaleidoscope people, offer
ed Fitzslmmons and Maher "a purse OF
$4,000 to be In battle trim for tomorrow
: Fitzsimmons declared that he would agree
to put Maher out in six rounds, but in
sisted on selecting his own time and place
He declared that under no circums ances
would he fight before a kaleidoscope
unless for purse OF $4,000 and 50 pei
cent of the profits. lie based his position
on the fact tnat the Kaleidoscope people
had persstently ignored him and now he
was IN position to dictate 10 them. Moth.
ing came of the proposition
After returning TO the depot and while
waiting for the departure of the train
to lei Paso, f'itz was surrounded by q
crowd of admirers, who shook his hands
ana congratulated him on his victory, Hc
bore his new honors with characteristic
self satisfaction. He said that the battle
was almost too short for his liking and thai
he would have been glad of little more
opportunity OF showing his shape. Juliar
was In high glee.
THE RETURN.
At precisely G o'clock the train bearing
the victor and the vanqulshed, and then
admirers and chagrinod friends drew
away from the railway station leaving
only representatives Of the Press associa,
tons Installed IN the hamlet FOR the next
"a hours.
The departure signal was a discharge of
carbincs as a salute from the Texan ran
gers, who from the point Of vantage in the
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