Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-22
STRIPPED AND RUBBED DOWN OH TRAI

Preparation.
LANGTRY, Tex, Feb, 2l.-Peter Maher
was knocked out by Bob Fitzsimmons today
in the first round after one minute and
thirty five seconds OF actual fighting. Fitz-
sin mons played the same old game he has
! so often played before, leading on his OPP
ponent until he had him where he wanted
him and then landed lightning right hand
swing on the jaw and 1t was over. 1t was
the identical blow that knocked out Jim
Hall in New Orleans.
For the first part of the round Maher had
the better of 1t. He led often and forced
the fighting In his eagerness to get at
Fitzsimmons he committed a palpable foul
during clinch and was warned by Referee
Siler that it's repetition would cost him the
fight. Maher fought we'll, but he no
match for his red-headed opponent, who
proved himself to be one of the craftiest men
that ever stepped into the ring. FitZsm-
mons is now. by Corbetts action in pre-
scntng the championship to Maher, the
champion Of the world, and after the fight
was over he declared through Julian his
willingness to defend the championship
against any and ali comers.
The train arrived at about $3.50, central
time, and over a rocky road winding about
the precipitous cliffs along the Rio Grande
the crowd wended its way to the sand beach
of the river Forty-two Mexicans had car
ried the ring material down to the river
bank last night after working all day upon
roadway down the bluff narrow wooden
foot bridge had been put UP across the
swiftly flowing stream. The crowd stumbled
the stony nath and wadpj ankle
in the sand, guided by little Jimmy White,
boy who came from Toronto to be at the
fight.
The battle ground was a sandy fiat in a
big bend in the Rio Granie river on the
Mexican side. 1t was just two miles from
the village of Langtry. In the center of
canvas wall about 200 feet in diameter the
ring was pitched. The board floor was
covered with canvas, over which rosin was
spread At one side was the frame compart-
ment for TIE taking by the kaleidoscope Of
the pictures of the fight as it proceeded. On
the opposite side of the ring were two little
tents for the principals.
FITZ CAME FIRST.
Fitzsmmons was the first to leave the
train. There were following Fitzsimmnns,
Martin Julian, Jack Everhart William Nc
Coy and Jack Stezner who were in his COR
ner. Fitzsimmons took the first tent when
he entered the canvas enclosure Maher
took the second. Maher arrived five min
utes after Fltzsmmons. He was followed
from the train by crowd, as well as his
seconds bearing his effects, Jim Hall, Buck
Connolly, Peter Lowrie, Jack Quinn and
Peter Burns. Little time was lost in get
ting ready. Before he doffed his street garb
Fitzsimmons stepped up and took look at
the ring. Soon thereafter he came into the
ring wrapped in a striped bath robe. He
was applauded by 200 voices vociferously.
Fitzsimmons sat down In the corner nearest
the steps leading to the platform. man
near him offered 500 even on him. AS
Maher climbed into the ring, the cor
ner he occupied, voice near by offered 800
to s75 on Fitzsimmons. There were no
takers. George Sler climbed upon the plat
form almost at the same time as Maher.
With Julian he examined the fve-ounce
gloves. The gloves were of different makes
and different colors, Fitzsimmons' being a
light green and Mahers dark brown. AS
the seconds tied on the gloves Siler an
nounced that besides the official referee,
Louis Houseman and Bert Sneed Of New
Orleans would act for Fhzsimmons, and
Parson Davies of Chicago would hold the
watch for Maher. Siler gave notice to each
man that Mr.. Houseman would sound a
whistle five seconds before call OF time for
the rounds as signal to get ready.
"siler," Julian said. lis the. money up
in cash?'
Siler called for the purse. Tom O'Rourke
handed up two certified checks. Ser ten
dered them to Julian, who said they would
not do, that they wanted the cash.
1--WE gave you notice three days ago." Fitz-
simmons chimed in from his chair. address,
ing himsel; to Siler that we would not
fight unless the money was put up in your
hands at the rinaside"
"They are all right" Tom O'Rourke said.
from the vicinity Of Maher's corner. do
you think ! would pack $4,000 in cash
down here? 1t is the frst time have ever
been questioned. You people have been go-
ing around for days cracking"
Julian wanted the cash. Siler reiterated
that the checks were certified and, therefore,
all right.
"oh. let 1t CO." Fitzsimmons interrupted.
will give in to this" Fitzsmmons' tono
was contemptuous and he tossed his head
The utterance was applauded. Siler took
the checks. silently.
INSTRUCTED THE MEN.
The referee called the men to The center OK
the ring and said: "By the articles of agree
ment this Is to be a fair up and up fight.
When there is clinch and call for Q
breakaway each Of you take step back. I
don't want to be selling you and getting
between you. II there is knockdown the
man must be upon his feet before he can
be assaled. Be careful about fouls. Get
| ready"
FItzsimmons went to his corner and doffed
the bathrobe Julian and Eyerhart removed
Fitzsimmons remaining raiment and the
Australian stood forth in short thigh trunks
of dark blue, with belt showing the Amer
lean coors. He had black hose rolled down
upon the top of his ring shoes When a SINH
lar office had been performed for Maher he
showed up In black trunks half way to the
knees with a green belt. His hose and shoes
were similar to those OF Fitzsmmons. The
Australian throughout the preliminaries had
shown the utmost confidence. Mahers lips
seemed parched and he moistened them with
his tongue and took deep limitations as IL
his mouth and throat were dry
"Shake hands" Referee Siler said. The
men advanced, FItzsmmons with the air %
confidence still showing plainly; Maher
promptly, and with more Of familiar air
than he had yet shown. They retired to
their corners. In an instant the whistle OF
warning sounded; Ave seconds later the cali
Of Time" followed. Up sprang Fitzsim-
mons advancing with his little eyes flashing
like balls Of FURNISHED blue Maher's advance
was rapid enough to meet Fitzsimmons al-
most In the middle Of the twenty-four foos
ring. His eyes were clrcled from the recens
attack OF "alkali eye" and seemed staring
like stage makeup. without the deceptive
footlight glare. The big fight for the heavy