The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-19
Which Fitzsimmons Promptly
Accepts and Threatens the
Ex.Champion.
CHANCES OF Ell PAso MEETS
Makers Eyes Grow Brighter, but the
Sporting Men Are DESERVING
in Disgust.

Ell PASO, TEX, Feb. 1S.-Conficting
stories concerning Makers condition came
from Las Cruces on the late train to- might,
one brought by a Colorado sport who had
spent the day at the training quarters
being to the effect that one of the Irish
mans optics was in as bad state as when
he was here on Thursday, the infiamma-
ton having increased in the past twelve
hours, and that he spent the greater part
of the day in bed. On the other hand,
Referee George Siler, who also came into
town from the grounds late tonight, says
the fighter walked several miles this
morning and did three hours punching
and boxing in the afternoon; that bis left
optic is entirely recovered and the right
one so much improved that he can read
small print without pain or difficulty.
Silers version is generally accepted as the
correct one.
In accordance with instructions from
Governor Ahumada before leaving for
Chihuahua last night, Manuel Bouch Col
lector of Customs, was to-day added TO the
force of guards patroling the Mexican
frontier along the northern border.
Local interest in the possible meeting of
Maher and Fitzsimmons on Friday has
about petered out. The throngs that erst-
while blockaded Ell Paso street from store
front to curb have gradually dwindled to
complete disappearance and groups that
are occasionally encountered on the cross
thoroughfares are composed in the main Of
MeXicans from Juarez or ruraleS from the
surrounding country.
The feeling is next door to universal
that something or other will again happen
to keep the men from meeting in the ring,
while those who are not skeptical on this
point express themselves as caring not q
continental at the outcome. Taken alto
gether, never has world cham pionship
pugilistic contest been Immediately pre-
Ceded by such an utter lack of enthusiasm
or exhilaration.
FiJzsim took his daily spin to town
on his wheel this morning. Julian had
preceded him on an international mule
car
Fitzsimmons took four hours exercise
ut his Juarez quarters this afternoon, box
ing with Mccoy, the local heavyweight,
wrestling with Jack Stelsener OF st. Louis
and punching the bag. There is no ques-
ton that he is in magnificent condition,
while his temper toward Maher is de-
cidedlv ugly. Everything indicates that
ne will put up the fight of his life if the
opportunity is offered three days hence
Fitzsimmons received to-day a dispatch
dated at Chicago and reading as follows:
ITO Robert FItzsimmons: Read in to-
nights papers that you said l was a cur.
The first time see you I will make you
take it back as i did before.
81. J. CoRBETT"
After making the air sulphurous for
while, Fitzsimmons turned the message
over to Julian, who promptly sent the
following reply:
y. ]. Corbett, Chicago: AL right,
chappie, get ready, put yourself in better
condition than you were in at Hot Springs,
and get down here. Fitzsimmons will put
you out of existence the day after he puts
Maher among the has-beens.
MARTIN JULIAN"