The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-14
NAHER'S EYES GO BACK ON HIM
uE WILL. BE UNABLE TO ENTER
THE RING FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

val Are Trying to Throw Dust in
the Eyes of the PubIic-The Sports
Now All ut Sea Again.
FL Paso. Tex, Feb. 1S-To-night the pros
nacts of the Fftzsimmons-Maher contest
seng pulled off on schedule time to-mor-
row are exceedingly dubious. This condi-
Hon Of affairs is not due to the efforts of
the federal. state or Mexican authorities
IN prevent the two men from coming to-
vether. or to any inability on the part of
Dan Stuart to guarantee a safe battle
Ground. but solely to the fact that Peter
Maber is suffering from a temporary affiic-
ton of the eyes that would make it i'm
possible for him 30 put up a decent show
ing in the ring.
About a week ago while taking a morn
ing spin at Las Cruces in a brisk wind,
several particles of sand were blown into
his left eye and later in the day, while
kicking a foot ball in his tent, a guam
ttv of dust was knocked from the roof
into the same optic. The next day inflam-
nation set in and the services of local
doctor were called into requisition. The
trouble. however was Obstinate and re-
fused to yield to treatment, and couple
of days since the right eye also became
affected Visitors to the training quarters
from Sunday to Tuesday noticed the
trouble, and regarded it as of so trifing
a nature that nothing was thought or
said of the matter until to-day, when
word was received at headquarters that
the Irishman was in bad shape and that
fight tomorrow was next door to an
impossibility. kilograms were at once
sent to Las Cruces, urging him to come TO
the city by the first train. Inc regular
daily passenger train had, however, al
ready passed the training ground, ana
nothing remained but to walt for the Sill
yer City freight, and to which passen-
ger caboose is attached.
This arrived over the Santa Fe shortly
before o'clock and large crowd OF
local and visiting sports gathered at the
depot to see something of the Would-be
champions condition for themselves. In
this, however, they we're dlSappointed
for Maher, who was accompanied by his
manager, ]. J. Quinn and Peter Lowry,
left the train at the smelter three miles
out. Here a carriage was in waiting and
the party was driven 10 the offices in the
Grand Central hotel Of DR.. S. 7. White,
the leading local oeulist After "a thor
ough examination, DR.. White came to the
conclusion that Maher was suffering from
an aggravated case of opthalmia,
caused by alkali dust entering the eye
lids, and he expressed the opinion that he
could not enter the ring with any pros
pect of being on equal terms with HIS op-
pOnent in the matter of eyesight at least.
Maher was considerably disheartened by
this opinion and after a conference with
QlSDaICnGQ
rez with the request that Fitzsimmons
and Julian come across the river as quick
ly as possible.
When pressed for a more definite state
ment Or. White said that with care Ma
her might be able to get into the ring in
three days, but that 1t would be better
10 allow himself week. He prescribed
wash Of sulphate Of zinc and atrophia,
and advised Maher TO keep away from
the sunlight. 1t would be safer, he added,
If he would keep his eyes bandaged and
avoid air.
flee until Julian put in an appearance with
the statement that the Australian had au-
thorized him to make any arrangement
he might see fit. Joe Vendig, Maher's
hacker, designated "Buck" Connolly of
Pittsburg as his representative, and the
latter with Julian, went into conference
with Dan Stuart at O'Clock. Jim Hall,
who has been at Las Cruces for a week
says that he believes the trouble to be
more serious than dia gnosed by DIR. White.
He attributed it to the careless use of un-
clean towels.
The change in the situation created great
excitement among the visitors who have
been attracted here for the carnival, and
there were a score or more of big crowds
on Main and intersecting streets. At first
the opinion was expressed by many that
the story of Maher's disability was simply
a ruse to put the authorities off their
guard, while there were others who held
10 The opinion that the story had been
matched by the carnival manager on the
chanceS that a pOStponement would bring
bigger crowd.
Whom the diagnosis and advices of DIR.
White were passed from one to another,
the doubts gave way to expressions of
sympathy for Maher, although good
many individuals who had Travelled long
distances with the sole object of Witness
ing the big fight and then of starting post
haste for home, cursed their luck and
vowed that there was a Jonah in the Fitz-
simmons camp. Only here and there could
be found a man willing to express his dis
gust with the whole outfit and his inten-
ton of starting for home without waiting
forth
The Chihuahua authorities have ordered
that there shall be no bull fight next sun
day. The big gambling house has sudden
Iy ceased operations.
The conference between Julian and Con-
!eLy lasted for an hour, and at its con-
CluSlOn 1t was announced that the nght
would remain in status quo until Monday,
pendlng which Julian would make no
claim for forfeit in behalf of Fitzsimmons,
9He latter holding himself in readiness TO
iIght on Monday or before then, agree
ing to announce his final decision that
cay II Maher is still disabled. When the
decision was announced Dan Stuart
stated that he would waive all his rights
ana interests until next summer if the
able Maher 10 get into fit condition.
Jimmy Carroll, Fit2simmons ex-man-
6ser to-day, garnisheed Dan Stuart Tom
hourke, and the State National Bank,
tQr 800 on account of an alleged debt due
nm by Fitzsimmons while the plaintiff
was acting as manager for the Cornish
Maher and Quinn expressed themselves
as satisfied with the agreement and the
Hlsnman said he was confident of being
H T shape to get inside the ring Monday.
me few that saw him, however were Of
d. different opinion. His eyes are badly
swollen; there is a continuous cataract
U!seharge and the eyeballs are dotted with
Wnite spots.
eaIhe opinion late tonight is that the
nSnt IS off for good and many of the out
VI toWn sports are getting ready for an
ff9'iy Ia departure. No attempt will be made
nIlng off any of the minor fights until
tle big affair is settled, Stuart saying
Sts.l such a move would be impolitic.
S.dhef VIII remain here until Monday un-
r rer me care of DR.. White and will do no
more training
ePiatforms, stakes, ropes, etc, We're made
sn5 an padded in duplicate several days ago
t- T-.t loaded in cars adjacent to the main
lacks of the Southern Pacific and Texas
NJ, M Facific so that quick transportation
H.sAl be effected in the event of circum-
noslees compelling a change in the pro-
ioSso scene of operations at the eleventh
eS Both cars have been closely watch
et ooIh day and night by rangers ever
tt-e loading, and between 2 and o'clock