Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-25
THEY MEAN BUSINESS NOW.
C0RBETT AND FITZSIMMoNS WILL
SURELY FIGHT IN MARCH.
Both the Champions Are in Splendid
Physical Condition-Corbettw VIII
BE a Slight Favorite-Rac-
ing Results Yesterday.


Be a Slight Favorite-Rac-
ing Results Yesterday.
Dispatches from Fitzsimmuns, now on his
way to New York, say that he is perfectly
satisfied with the arrangements made by
Dan Stuart and will sign the agreement as
soon as possible. This looks uncommonly
like business, and unless something un-
looked for happens the championship fight
will be over before one-half OF the st. Pat
rick's day paraders have completed their
revelry. Every sporting man in New York
is encouraged by the actions of the two
pugilists. and already some bets have been
made. Corbett is slight favorite at odds
of to o, but none of the big bettors. from
whom quotations can be taken, have made
any wagers. The bets which have been
made have been between enthusiasts who
work for a living and whose feelings are
carried away either by nationality or
friendship. The betting on the fight which
was interrupted was all in favor of Cor
bett, but it will not be surprising to see
Fitzsimmons an equal favorite this time
from the fact that he has grown OF late
and will weigh almost as heavy as Corbett
at the ringside.
All rumors. however. regarding Corbett's
condition have been set at rest. Those who
saw him on Thursday last, when he signed
the articles of agreement. were impressed
with him. He looked as bright and upright
as ever, and with the exception OF being a
little drawn about the cheeks had as
healthy an appearance as he had when he
met John Sullivan in New Orleans. He is
also confident that he will win. This is
one-half the battle.
The same, however. must be said of
Fitzsimmons, who, before leaving New
York for Frisco, said that if he did not
defeat Corbett he would never show his
face in public again, but would return 10
his legitimate business over the anvil. He
is certainly in better shape than he ever
was. He is bigger and stronger, and il
Illustrated his condition by going ont of :he
Bartholdi hotel one morning ami running
around Central park and back again be-
fore breakfast. 1t was Il distance of ten
miles, and he pulled up without showing
the least sign of distress.
Another instance of his strength was
shown while bathing at Rye beach. lie
was in the water romping with some
friends, when he picked up a man out of
the shallow water weighing 1S pounds
and threw him over his head with little ex-
ertion- This was quite performance, all
considered, as the water was wet, and so
was the man, and it is certainly black
smiths job to throw a wet man high
enough to clear ones head.
AS soon as Fitzsimmons signs the articles
and everything is in readiness for the fight.
it is certain that more money will be wag-
cred on the result than was ever before de-
pending upon glove contest.
Only those who know Dan Stuart person.
ally can imagine what cool and collected
person he is. No wonder he is most sue
cessful gambler, as we'll as solid business
man. 1t is very rarely one meets 4 man
with the determination of Dan Stuart. His
efforts to bring Corbett and Fitzsimmons
together for the past eighteen months can
not help but place him in the ranks of the
most determined men of the day. Yet that
is not a circumstance compared with the
fights he had with one or the largest tele-
graph companies in the world, which was
raging at the same time that he and a
trainload of fighters, bottle holders, re-
porters and spectators were being whisked
through the country looking for a conven-
lent spot where the championship battle
could be decided
1t happened in this way: Stuart knew
that fight of such Importance was worth
a heap of money to a telegraph company,
and he, in a very business-like way, went
to the company and made a proposal to
the managers, offering his aid to them, pro-
viding they paid something for the privi-
lege and exclusive right to place their in
struments at the ringside.
The gentlemen of the company would
hardly listen to Stuart. In fact. they as
good as told him that they would get
there without bothering Mr.. Stuart very
much, and that they would not pay any
shall see."
The fight began at this point. When the
coterie of sports started for the battle
ground, which was scheduled for Dallas,
but was finally abandoned after parading
all over the country for several days. the
telegraph company had its men aboard.
There were linemen, operators and man.
ayers. From one place to another Stuart
had them galloping. Over mountains and
down in valleys. Several times poles were
erected during the night at places where
the fight was supposed to be about to take
place. The next hour Stuart would order
a further march and every now and then
the train would move off, leaving either I
lineman or an operator behind. At almost
every town a representative of the tele-
graph company would be sent to see
Stuart. But no offer was made to him to
compromise and the war still went on.
Stuart never became tired of his jaunt
frcrn town to town. Finally, when the
fight was declared off, he wished the oper
atcrS, linemen and managers a very good
day and they separated.
AT the Fitzsimmons-Maher fight the same
thing occurred. This fight was brought
off. but there was no operator at the ring
side from the telegraph company he had
been fighting. When one man can make
such game fight against a company and
win 1t can anyone doubt his determination
to bring off bit of a fight like that which
is expected on March II?