The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-20
THAT FISTIC FIzzLE|
doubts Sill Existing as to the Chances of
Carrying Out the Proposed Programme.
FITzSIMMONS ISSUES AN ADDRESS.
Ana Poses ns II virtuous ana Generous
Adrcrsnry-Outfiuc His sntrn.
TONS In Cnse Mnhcr Does Not Ap.
pear ut the Rinxsittc .Bombnst nna
Hrng Predominant In His Address.

III iaso. Tex. Feb. l9-This has been
va Oh Watching ana waiting with the
result that every one knows as much
a' suhSet as ut sunrise. There wus some
what OF Il more buoyant tone in the
sporting market than yesterday and as
the afternoon wore everybody WINS on
the qui virc for tips concerning the locn- :
ton OF the battle or any new movement
on the part of the State or Mexican au-
inorltieS. All sorts OF stories were
atoat concerning the point where the
ring has been pitched or is to he pitched
Soou authority located 1t across the
Arizona boundary. an equally reliable
one said conildentnlly that II would be 1,
matter of an all-nlght ride. a third In
sisted that hc would be able TO reach the
spot on wheel. Stuart and his colIca.
CUES preserved the same spyuN-likc 81.
lence and would not deiEn to notice even
me telegraphcd roorback of Galveston
that the mill would be brought off on a
barge In the Gulf OF Mexico.
In response to q request for an author
itatlNe statement concerning Maher's
condition this cnndid reply was received
from Mahers backcr and manager nj
Las Cruces this evening:
TO the Southern Associated Press:
Maher Will be in fair condition. His
eyes are almost we'll His condition
VIII not be ns good as | would like II 10
be but nevertheless. cXnect to see
him win or would not let him light
JOHN j. QUINN.
fitHSimmons crossed the Rio Grandc
TINS morning, and entertained the usual
SroWu oi sightseers watching him make
morse shoes. After Il spin through the
business streets, he returned 10 his
training quarters at JuareZ whore This
afternoon he entertained Il COMPANY of
visitors. amang whom were Adiutant
t,cileral Mabry. United States Marshal
nan. OF New Mexico: Captain Hughes
ana Lieutenant Scharpe. of ihc ,rnvas
Rangers; Colonel j. j. Dickey, wife. and
party OF ladies. OF Omaha. together win,
number of military officers ana peo
PIE from I'll l'aso and JuareZ
fttZsimmons Is apparently perfect
physically and eager f,r The fight He
stopped training to-day and Will resi-
uhtil Friday. He asked that the follow
ing statement he given publicity.
To the American People:
out of the goodness of heart ond he.
heving as alleged that Peter Mahcr w,s
out OF condition OH last Friday. ] agreed
TO give him three days grace ra ther linn
sci myself before the American people
IN the attitude Of taking advantage of
Il man WI" was rcpurtcd to he pnrtlv
blind. Not seeing him mvsrIf | kuew
nothing To the contrary. Now that In.
date has been set for Friday ma ,be
assurance been given that Maher will
be in perfect condition on that day I'm
Tend going 10 the ringside and will be
ready to fight for kingdom. If hi.
hackers say: "Wcll. 'tz. here Is n
BIND man and If You insist on fighting.
go ahead" shall say 10 the referee.
Please call time"
In doing so shall feel justified. be-
cause have agreed To two postpone
mcnts and the last one was uccomla-
n"d by a forfeit of $1,000. In asking
the referee 10 call time. will also lie
guided by the earnest belief that tho
Maher crowd do not want To fight under
any circumstances, and ] honestly be-
licvc that Mahcr'S bacRcrS and friends
have warned him not to fight and in
so doing they have led him to believe
that If he escapes Il fight with me, he
can return 10 ireland and pose as 1h,
only champion of the world am n
iiatura aliZcd citizen of the United States
and believe that ! am entitled to the
Gc5u Will and support of The American
people | have been I'm hard and honest
training for seven months and have
spent thousands of dollars In preparing
10 meet alleged champions. all of whom
have nt the last moment found some
Loop hole to crawl out of q fight.
! am now satisfied that none Of them
possess the courage 10 meet me and |
therefore have decided upon this course
tSigncd ROBT. I'1TZSIMMONS,
Middlc-weight Champion OF the World