The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-22
Easily Defeated Peter Maher in
the First Round.
A BLOW ON THE CHIN.
Fight Lasted One Minute and
Thirty-Five Seconds.
PulledOff in Mexico-The Kinet.
oscope a Failure.

EndAST WAS hAOChCd O0b ny OOO AZ
simmons yesterday in the first round,
after one minute and thirty-five sec
onds 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
wanted him, and then landed light
ming right-hand swing on the jaw,
and it was over. 1t was the identical
blow that knocked out Jim Hall in
New Orleans.
For the first part of the round
Maher had the best of it. He led
often and forced the fighting. In his
eagerness to get at Fitzsimmons he
committed a palpable foul during
clinch, and was warned by Referee
Siler that its repetition would cost
him the fight Maher fought well,
but he was no match Tor his red-headed
opponent, who proved himself one of
the craftiest men that ever stepped in
the ring. Fitzsimmons is now, by
Corbett's 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 champion
ship against any and all corners.
The kaleidoscope was a complete fail
The train arrived at about $3.50,
Central time, and, over a rocky road,
winding about the PERCEPTIONS cliffs
along the Rio Grande, the crowd
wendell its way to the sandy beach of
the river. FOrty-two Mexicans had
, carried the ring material down to the
river bank Thursday night after work
ing hard all day upon a roadway down
the bluff. 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, a boy who
came from Toronto to be at the fight.
The battle ground was a sandy fiat
upon a big bend in 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 300 feet in diameter. the ring
was pitched. The board floor was
covered with canvas, over which rosin
was sprinkled. At one side was the
frame compartments for the taking,
by the kaleidoscope, of the pictures of
the fight as it proceeded. On the OPP
posite side of the ring were two little
tents for the principals
Little time was lost in getting
ready. Before he DOTTED his street
garb, Fitzsimmons stepped up and
took look at the ring. Soon there
after he came into the ring wrapped
in a striped bath robe. He was ap-
plauded by 200 voices vociferously.
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, a voice near
by offered 500 to $75 on Fitzsimmons.
faI- 81
Siler climbed upon the platform al
most at the same time as Maher.
''Siler," Julian said, sis the money
up in cash?"
Siler called for the purse. Tom
O'Rourke handed up two certified
checks. Siler rendered them to Julian,
who said they would not do; that they
wanted the cash.
I'VE gave you notice three days
ago." Fitzsimmons chimed in from his
chair, addressing himself to Siler,
that we would not fight unless the
money was put up in your hands at the
ring side"
They are all right" Tom O'Rourlke
said from the vicinity of Makers
corner, do you think L would pack
$4,000 in cash down here? 1t is the
first time have ever been questioned.
You people have been going around
for days cracking"
Julian wanted the cash. Siler re-
iterated that the checks were certi-
fed and therefore all right
80, let it CO." FltzslmmOns inter
rupted, ''we have given in to every
thing, and we will give in to this. -
Fitzsimmons' tone was contemptuous
and he tossed his head. The utter
ance was applauded. Siler took the
checks, silently.
The One Round Fight.
"Shake hands," Referee Siler said
The men advanced, FitzSimmons with
the air of confidence still showing
plainly; Maher promptly, and with
more of a familiar air than he had vet
shown. They retired to their corners.
In an instant the whistle of warming
sounded, five seconds later the call of
thine" followed Up sprang Fitz-
simmons, advancing with his little
eyes flashing like balls of FURNISHED
blue. Makers advance was rapid
enough to meet Fitzsimmons almost
in the middle of the twentv-four-foot
ring His eyes were circled from the
recent attack of ''alkai eve" and
seemed staring like a stage makeup
without the deceptive footlight glare
The big fight for the heavyweight
championship of the world was al last
a reality.
Fitz led with his right; Maher backed
toward his corner. FitZ landed with
his right and a clinch followed
Maher struck Fitz 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 Fitz.
After break away Peter landed his
left on Fitz's neck. Close in fgh ting
followed, and Maher succeeded in
landing his left on Fits upper lip.
drawing blood. Fitz landed with left
nDd right. clinSh followed Maher