The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-22
Texas Rangers Followed the Sports to
Langtry, Crossed the River mud
Witnessed the "MIlI."
THE KINETOSCOPE NOT USED
ALMOST A ROW OVER A PROPOSE
TION MADE BY THE VICTOR.
Fitxsimmons mt Once Challenged by
Corbett to Fight in England, south
Africa or Australia.

LANGTRY, Tex, Feb. 21.-Peter Maher
was knocked out by Robert Fitzsimmons
to-day in the first round, after one minute
and thirty-five seconds of actual fighting.
Fitzsimmons played the same old game he
has so often played before, leading on his
opponent until he had him where he want
ed him and then landed lightning right
hand swing on the jaw. and it was all over.
1t was the Identical blow that knocked out
Jim Hall in New Orleans.
For the first part of the round Maher had
the better of it. He led often and forced
the fighting In-<lfis ca gerness to get at
Fitzsimmons he committed a palpable foul
during Il clinch and was warned by referee
Siler that it's repetition would cost him the
fight. Maher fought wei, but he was
match for his red-headed opponent, who
proved himself to-day one Of the craftiest
men that ever stepped into the ring. Fitz-
simmons is now, by Corbetts action in
presenting the championship to Maher. the
champion of the world, and after the fight
was over he declared through Julian his
willingness to defend the championship
against any and all comers.
The train from Ell Paso bearing the pugi-
lists arrived here at $3.50, central time. and,
over a rocky road winding about the pre-
cipitous cliffs along the Rio Grande. the
crowd wended it's way to the sandy beach
of the river Forty-two Mexicans had car
ried the ring material down to the river
bank last night, after working hard all
day on roadway down from the bluff. A
narrow wooden foot bridge had been put up
across the swiftly flowing stream. The
crowd stumbled over the stony path and
waded ankle deep in the sand. guided by
little Jimmy White. boy who came from
Toronto 10 be at the fight.
The battle ground was a sandy fiat on a
big bend i'm the Rio Grande river. on the
Mexican side. 1t was just two miles from
the village of Langtry. In the center of a
canvas wall, about two hundred feet I'm d-
ameter, the ring was pitched. The board
floor was covered with canvas, over which
rosin was sprinked. At one side was the
frame compartment for the taking by the
knetoscope Of the pictures Of the fight as it
proceeded. On the opposite side of the ring
were two little tents for the principals.
Fttzsimmons was the first to leave the
train. He was followed by Martin Julian.
Jack Everhart, William Mccoy and Jack
Stelzner, who were in his corner. Fitzsim-
mons took the first tent when he entered
the canvas inclosure. Maher took the Sec
simmons. He was followed from the train
by crowd. as well as his seconds, bear
ing his effects, Jim Hall, Buck Connolly,
Peter Lowrie. Jack Quinn and Peter Burns.
Little time was lost in getting ready.
Before he doffed his street garb. Fitzsm-
mons stepped up and took look at the
ring. Soon thereafter he came into the
ring, wrapped in a striped bath robe. He
lad bx,f fyo hum Trad
ciferously Fitzsimmons sat down in the
corner nearest the steps leading to the plat
form. A man near him offered 500 even
on him. As Maher climbed into the ring.
near the corner he occupied, voice near
by offered 500 TO s75 on Fitzsimmons. There
were no takers. George Si,er climbed on
the platform almost at the same time as
Maher. With Julian and Hall. he examined
the fve-ounce gloves. The gloves were of
different makes and different colors, Fitz-
srmons's being light green and Maher's
dark brown AS the seconds tied on the
gloves, Siler announced that besides the
official referee Louis Houseman and Bert
Sneed, OF New Orleans, would act for Fitz-
simmons, and Parson Davies. of Chicago
would hold the watch for Maher Siler
gave notice to each man that Houseman
would sound whistle FIVE seconds before
call of time for the rounds as o signal to
get ready.
"Siler." Julian said. 'is the money I'd in
| cash?"
siler called for the purse. Tom O'Rourke
handed up two certified checks Siler ten
| dered them to Julian. who said they would
not do. that they wanted the cash. I'VE
| gave you notice three days ago." Fitzsim-
mons chimed in from his chair. addressing
himself to Si.er, that we would not fight
| until the money was put in your hands at
the ringside.'
They are all right" Tom O'Rourke said
| from the vicinity Of Maher's corner. DO
| you think would pack $4,000 In cash down
] here? 1t IL the ozst time have ever been