The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-03
MURPHY vs.. C0RBETT
How the Little Fireman Smash
ed the Big ex-Pugilist.
LoosENED JiM's FRONT TEETH
Foul Fighting by Corbett, Who Kicked
His Antagonist-The Honors All
With the Little Man.

4 PHILADELPHIA special to the New York
World gives details Of the tight in which 8
little fireman be.sted Jim Coroett, former
~ weIl-known pugilist, and now a cigar
ette-smoking actor The Post-lnteIhgeif-
Ger OF January q had a brief account OF
the fray. The World story says:
James j. Corbett appeared az the Ma
tlonai theater last week in bis new play
The Naval Cadet" The engagement
closed last night. when thc Californian
made a savage and unprovoked attack on
William Fl. Murphy, fireman connected
with the city FIRE department, who was
detailed TO watch the stage Of the theater
10 prevent FIRE Murphy. although sixty
pounds lighter than Corbett, and standing
but feet inches high. accomplished
what neither John L. sullivan nor Charlie
Mitchell could do, Namely draw nrse
blood.
Murphy, who was making his rounds,
detected the smell of cigarette smoke IN
the dressing room occupied by Corbett.
He knocked at the door and noticed
lighted cigarette in Corbetts left hand.
He informed The Californian that II was
against the rules of the theater and re-
speefully requested that the cigarette be
put out. Corbett denied that he was smoh-
ing, although the little roll of lighted to-
oacco was held between his fingers.
When his attention was called TO this
fact he peremptorily ordered the fireman
away from the room. Jumping up from
the trunk on which he was sitting, Cor
bett foully abused the fireman and banged
the door in his face. Murphy knocked at
the door and attempted 10 enter. but Cor
bett opened the door and rushed ar the I'M
OFFENDING Murphy. AT the same time Cor
bett gave utterance to a string of profan-
ity. As the ex-champion grabbed Murphy
the latter let drive his right hand. which
FOUND resting place on Corbett's mouth.
Two teeth were loosened and Corbett's
upper lip was split. As the blood spnrted
from his lip Jins anger knew no bounds.
and he swung wildly at his foe Murphy
went down under the fusnlade of blows
While lying on the floor Corbett kicked
the helpless fireman in the ribs and back,
saying: You viii hit me in the face, viii
you, d-n your After venting his spleen
on Murphy Corbett retired apparently
satisfied with his brilliant victory. The
fireman, when he had sufficiently recov-
cred, made his way toward the managers
office with the intention of reporting the
assault.
Coroett was coming in the opposite d.
rection. The appearance of Murphy acted
like red flag waved at bull. As Murphy
was ascending the stairs Corbett attempted
TO kick him in the face, but the fireman's
athletic educa ton had not been lost on him.
and he grabbed the leg before It reached its
destination. The unexpected stop disturbed
Corbett's equil. brium and he slipped en-
the top of long flight OF stairs, down
which he slid On his back Murphy got
ahead OF him and attempted to escape but
Corbett caught him on the stage, where
the two engaged in another rough-and-
tumble fight being finally separated by
the members OF the company and the thea
ter employees.
~l,.4~ Ii
ply with another licking, while the latter
congratulated himself with coming out OF
the fray so Well.
Murphy today is hero among his fell
low members OF the fire company As an
evidence Of the fray he carries a scar over
his left eye. while his right cheek is bruised
ana swollen. IFS back and ribs are all sore
and bruised from the effect of Corbett's
shoe. The ex-champ.on. in addition 10 his
disiigured lip, is nursing a bruised back to-
day as result of his toboggan slide down
the stairs.
Murphy is a modest unassuming young
fellow, who has been IN the fire department
about a year and bears an excellent rec
ord. He said tonight that he was simply
performing his duty, AMI had Corbett been
twice the SIZE he is he would have done tie
same thing.
1T was not the first time We had trouble
with Mr.. Corbett this week." said Murphy
"Once before he was violating the rules OF
the theater by smoking, and when reminded
OF il his valet threatened 10 throw the fire.
man down the stairs"
Corbett and his company left the city
early this morning and could not be seen.
The Californian's actions are severely
condemned IN this city, as his conduit waS
wholly unjustifiaole. Murphy was simply
attending 10 his duties.
The audience was unaware of the byp'ly
on the back of the stage last night Ii Is
not many months since Corbett had an
impromptu set-to with FItzs.mmons in a
hotel here.