Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-21
B0UNDF0R THE BATTLEFIELD
The Sports Depart From Fl Paso for Parts Un- known-Fitzsimmon Wanted to See
 the Money

Peter Lowrey. Jerry Marshall and a number of Pittsburg friends, who have been visiting at his training quarters during the past few days.
 Dr. White awaited their arrival He closely examined Maher's eyes and de- clared that they were in fairly good con- dition and the vision was perfect A delegation of correspondents was afford ed view of Maher and he declared to them that he was in good shape. From careful examination it seems that Connellys apprehension of Maher's con- dition was trifie pessimistic and his anxiety has led him to feel dubious of his man entering the ring in top-notch shape. The Irish lad certainly never looked better fit to fight, and apparently is stronger and harder by odds than when he fought Steve ODonnell. His skin is bronzed from training in the sun light and his muscles, while flexible, are strong as knotted ropes. His eyes are still a little weak, however, and show traces of the soreness caused by the alkali dust. The whites of his eyes are tinged with faint shade of red, but the pupils are clear and bright. On either side of his forehead there is a fresh blis ter, caused by the application of counter irritants. This gives him no pain and will be no factor fin the coming fight. This afternoon Maher took a long walk to the outskirts of Fl Paso. in company with his trainers. After being rubbed down he declared that he was in fine condition Maher said tonight:
 'I never talk much, but I wish to say to my friends that I am in first rate con dition. and am ready to enter the ring at any minute. I understand FitZsim- mons characterized me as a cur a few days ago. He would never have dared to talk that way if I was present. Wait till get crack or two at him tomorrow and we will see who is a eur. He is great big buffer, but bluffs won't go in our arguments My friends have no fear of the results"
 The first suspicion of betting was mo- ticed today. Only few thousand dollars were wagered and the odds were in favor of Fitzsimmons. Most of the money was placed at 100 to 75, and that on the Cornishman The Maher crowd appear to have plenty of money. but will wait to bet at the ringside, in the hopes of secur- ing better odds.
 Shortly after o'clock the crowd of intending participants began to line up again at headquarters.
 There were perhaps 250 sports from out side the city, while the local fraternity was represented by about a fifth of that number. As each man received his paste board, the rendezvous for the departure was given him in an undertone. Maher drove by at 9:30 with a big crowd of en- thusastic friends in his rear. He was given a cheer as he passed the office, and poking face wreathed with smiles out of the window he waved his hand in re- sponse. Maher will have in his corner to- morrow Jim Hall, Buck Connolly, Peter Lowrey, Jack Quinn and Peter Byrnes while Parson Davies will act as his time keeper. Fitzsimmons will have behind him Martin Julian, Jack Everhart, Jack Stelzner and Jack Mccoy, while Hugh Kane will probably act as timekeeper.
 Bat Masterson will ofiiciate as master of ceremonies and chief sergeant-at-arms, George Siler as referee and Lou Houzman as official timekeeper. Governor Thorn ton of New Mexico arrived in the city this afternoon and was cloSeted for an hour with one of his representative who has been under cover in town for ten days. Subsequently, however, the governor said that his visit had no relation to the fight The latest tips af1oat were taken across the river to the Mexican authorities by mounted couriers.
 Just before train time Fitzsimmons and Julian were brought to Dan Stuart's of flee in carriage. Julian, on behalf of Fitzsimmons, demanded tha t. the purse be converted into money to be paid at the ringside. He insisted that no checks would be fought for or accepted by Fitz- simmons. To this Stuart agreed. Stake holder O'Rourke was hunted up and pro- duced the checks. The carriag ge was sent out for the cashiers of the banks, and when they appeared at their respective institutions the vaults were opened and $l0000 in new one hundred-dollar bills -cQunted, $6,OOO from the state bank and $4000 from the First National bank The entire pile was turned over the referee, George Siler, who wrote note to Julian stating that he would produce it at the ringside. Later Julian said he would de- mand to see it before the train pulled out.
 q do not mlstrust any of these people," said he, but we have been turned down once, and we propose to be on the safe side this time.'
 The departure was made over the Southern Pacific road shortly after 10 o'clock. There was not dozen In the entire eight coach loads, however who knew just where they were going to bring up. Every other man had a diff ferent tip, and each was positive his was the only pure article. There was sur face indication, however, that the first destination was Del Rio, a point on the Sanderson branch of the Southern Pa cific railway Del Rio Is 453 miles distant from this city, across the Rio Grande Del Norte, the Mexican town, is in the state of Coahuila and outside of juris- dction of Ahumada. The nearest mili- tary post is that of Porfirero Diaz, and is seventy-five miles distant For scores of miles around the country is wild and mountainous while the hills contain a score of level plateaus that would make an ideal spot for the encounter. Those closest to the promoters believe that this is the destination. but there are others who claim to have authentic information of Del Rio of Langtry, a station forty miles this side. and then double back to Fort Hancock fifty-three miles from here, where the Mexican frontier is reached in a walk of a mile and a quar- ter. Color is given to this theory by re- mark of one of the managers to the ef- feet that while it would take seven to twelve hours to reach the battle ground, the return might be made in two hours, if the engineer was so disposed. The wires tomorrow will take up the thread of the story, whether the strands be floating in old Mexico, New Mexico, in Texas or in Arizona.
 The train bearing the crowd to witness the fight for the championship between Robert Ftzsimmons and Peter Maher left El Paso at II IS tonight, one hour and fifteen minutes late. The crowd was smaller than expected; the number of passengers originating here having been only 230. The Texas rangers, with blankets and equipments for a three days campaign, marched up Oregon street to the depot at 9:30, and watched the departure of the train. Fitzsimmons' quarters at Juarez were surrounded this evening by the Mexican people, but the