Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-18
FIGHT ON FRIDAY.
Maher Posts $4,000 Extra For
felt That He Will Be There.
fitz Claims the, Forfeit on the First
Date But 1t Is Not Allowed.
The Australian Makes Disgusting Spectacle Of
Himself at Conference.


regarding the Mahcr- Fitzsimmons fight
WAS held here, today. Maher was no,
present. He was represented by Buck
Connolly, and an interchange of opinions,
which at times was decidedly warm, lasted
90 minutes
Julian asked Connolly if bis man was
here ready to fight and received reply in
the negative. Then the Pttsburg man
made a proposition for the posting Of the
extra forfeit and fight on Friday
Julian responded that time enough had
been given, and he DOW claim I'd the for
felt. 1t was n strange thing. he said, that
Connolly would know the day when
Mahcr conld get into the ring, yet insist
that he could not do so an hour later.
Connolly called attention to the fact
that :, hours notice of the battle ground
was guaranteed and it had not been given,
10 which Stuart, who presided. said the
ground is ready.
So is Fitz ready, said Julian
Yes, am ready. said the Australian
Connolly said If forced he would go into
the ring tomorrow, to save the forfeit and
not to fight. titzsimmons asked whether,
surprising he broke his arm, the other
crowd would not take his money, and
Connolly said he would not touch dollar
of it.
The latter continued TO press the point
of meeting, Friday, but Julian as strongly
insisted that he wanted the forfeit money
on this match because they needed it, and
then they would talk about another
match, Friday.
Finally Connolly said: Il will have
my man in the ring as soon as l am noti-
fed now demand my "a hours notice
of the location of the battle ground .
Stuart kept silent and after pause
Fitzsimmons drew himself up, waved his
arm in exercise and shouted at the top of
his voice: Your man is not in condi-
ton to fight. He is another stiff like Cor
bctt. You are putting up bluff"
Not much, responded Connolly,
quietly. Maher is not afraid 10 meet
you In the ring or anywhere else.
You want to crawl out, suggested
Julian.
Yes, they want to crawl" yelled
Fitzsimmons. They are a lot of id
ours
Then turning to the throng on the
other side of the railing, he y He'd, louder
than ever This fights on, gcntlemen
won't fight. They never intended to
fight in the first place. Now, boys, / give
notice that III fight that big stiff Correct,
| at any time. Let have a cigar.
With this the pugilist stalked out to the
street. Somebody shouted, Three cheers
for Fitzsimmons, - but the response was
feeble Julian, who seemed chsgrined at
Fits talk, remained behind
The wrangling over the question of Civ
ing up the forfeit money continued, and
inally Julian made the proposition that it
be left to a vote of five men to be selected
oy Connolly. The following We're selected
George Siler, Lou Housemap, William
Naughton, Tom O. Rourke and Hugh Fitz-
gerald. Dan Stuart was chosen chairman
Of the committee.
While the committee was debating Fitz
simmons returned, and repeated that he
would not fight Friday, but Julian ste
ceeded in getting him to withdraw the
statement temporarily.
The committee decided that under the
articles neither man was entitled to the
forfeit. Connolly then made. PROPOSE
ton that the Friday plan be considered
Julian agreed explicitly and stated that
ritH Nouiu NSHt, rtltlty lNo thoustDu
dollars forfeit was placed in Stuart
hands, this afternoon.
1t is understood that the Fitzsimmons
party are badly in need Of money. f'itz
resumed training this afternoon.
Makers eyes are much better and he
will commence gymnasium work, Tues
day
Governor Ahumada, this evening, said
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