Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-18
ON and OFF AND ON AGAIN.
A Lively Time Among the Pugs Down
at El PaSO, Yesterday.
Fitzsimmons Gives a Disgusting
Exhibition Of Temper-Postponed
Until Friday-Last Nights Bowl
ing Contests-A Grounds" Sug-
gestion-Races and Other Sport.


within the space of thirty minutes this
afternoon. 1t is now definitely set for
Friday and Buck Connolly has agreed
TO post for Maher 81 900 additional for
felt if his man is not in the ring to
fight on that day.
Julian made every possible conces-
sion and finally turned the whole mat
Ter over to a committee of five, all OF
whom we're to be named by Connolly.
IF this committee decides that he was
not entitled to the forfeit he would
agree TO wait until Friday and have the
fight then. The committee decided
against him and Julian gave in accord
ingly.
The conference was or, 5inally set Tor
10 o'clock. Stuart was the only one
present at that time. After waiting a
few minutes he went away and did not
show I'D again until / clock. Mean
time Julian and Cont oily came, but
made no headway in the matter OF an
agreement. When Stuart returned the
conference opened. Julian and Fitz-
simmons demanded the $1,000 forfeit
and announced that no further negou-
ations would be considered until that
was paid.
81 will nav no forfeit. I will take my
man and go to the ring to keep you OIL
the forfeit" said Connolly, Ignoring the
fact that Maher was at Las Cruces.
forty miles away, with no chance Of
getting to El Paso before tomorrow
morning.
"All right" said Julian, "get him and
come on"
THE rings are ready" said Stuart
"any time you gentlemen are ready
"Wil Maher fight if he gets to the
ring side?" asked Julian.
"No. he won't" replied Connolly.
"He is in no shape to fight, and I will
not take the chances of losing all the
money my friends have bet on him.
"You are not on the level, that's what
the matter with you" shouted Fltz-
simmons. "You know we are entitled
to that money and you are trying to
beat us out of it,"
"Why did you not pay your forfeit
money to Corbett?" asked Connolly
"Pay money to Corbett! that bloody
curt" calculated Fitzsimmons. Be
cause he had no right to it; if he had
he'd have reached for it pretty quick, l
can tell YOU. But suppose do agree to
wait until Friday, how do know l wils
get the 81 900 if Maher don't show up?"
'I'lI guarantee it," said Connolly.
what good is that to me?" said Fitz-
simmons. "I was guaranteed $4,000
when I Kicked Jim Hall, but 1 never got
il. You don't want to fight and you
never did want to. Your man is not
ready to fight and he is afraid to fight.
He is out of condition because he is
afraid to fight You are whole pack
of bloody cursr
I'm no more of a cur than you are,
Fitzsimmons." said Connolly rising
from his seat. "You are a bloody cur,
and III bet 81 900 that Maher can lick
you in one round"
"You are no good. 1t is all off, ~
shouted Fitzsimmons, turning to the
crowd. "These fellows are not on the
level and l will have nothing to do
with them. I won't fight unless l get
the forfeit that belongs to me. It's
all off, l tell you" and, wild with rage,
Fitzsimmons broke from the room and
went into the street.
After moment Connolly wanted to
know if Julian would fight under any
circumstances. Julian said it was a
matter he would discuss after the ques-
tion of forfeit had been settled. He
was Justly entitled to the forfeit, but
that there might be no question OF his
sincerity he would leave the matter to
any ten or five men Connolly himself
might name.
Connolly said" Let Stuart name
them"
Julian acquiesced Stuart named
George Siler. Louis Houseman, of Chi
cago: VIM. w Naughton, OF San Fran
cisco: Tom O'Rourke, New York, and
Hugh Fitzgerald, Houston, Texas.
Some one suggested that Dan Stuart
act as chairman of the committee, and
Julian again agreed. He lighted Gig
arctic and lay back in his chair as the
committee repaired to the rear room
Some one went for Fitzsimmons, who
soon crowded his way in. He was still
angry and pr0fane.
Il won't fight" he said. "they are a
lot of welchers. I've been fooled and
fddled fc7 all I'll stand"
Then he strobe out, closing the par
tition door with a bang. AS he got
outside he turned and shouted to Con-
molly: You're not on the level. Your
blooming big stiff is afraid to fight.
I'll fight anybody, that other big duff
fer. Jim Corbett, or any one, bare
knuckles or gloves. But this thing Is
off. It's not square.
AS Fitzsimmons disappeared, the
committee came in. Houseman an
nounced the decision. It was that the
articles OF December were void last
Friday. Under the circumstances, and
the understanding at that time, the
forfeit money need not be paid.
"Will your man be ready to hgnt
Friday?' Julian asked.
Connolly said he would turn the
81 900 in the hands Of the stakeholder
over to Stuart and put up another $1,000
this afternoon, guaranteeing their ap-
pearance to Stuart.
It is by no means certain that Maher
will be able to fight on Friday, although
he saws he will get into the ring no
matter what the condition Of his eyes
NAV be. They are still badly inhamed.