The San Francisco call., 1896-02-20
Backers of the Irish Lad Say
They Will Be There Oh
Time.
SPORTS ARE COMING BACK.
Returning Confidence in Stuart's De.
clafationS - Pugilists Issue
ManifeStoes.

i
tone in the sporting market than yester-
daY and as the afternoon wore on every
body was on the qui vIve for tips concern
ing the location of the battle-ground or
new movements on the part of the State
or the Mexican authorities. All sorts Of
stories were afoat concerning the point
where the ring has been pitched. A good
authority located it across the Arizona
boundary; an equally reliable one said
confdentially that it would be matter of
an ail-night ride, and third insisted that
he would be able to reach the spot on
wheel.
Stuart and his colleagues preserved the
same sphynx-like silence and would not
deign to notice even the telegraphed roor-
back from Galveston that the mill would
be brought off on a barge on the Gulf
of Mexico.
In response to a request for an authorl-
tative statement concerning Maher's con-
dition this candid reply was received from
Maher's hackers at Las Cruces this even
ing:
To the United Press: Maher will be in fair
condition. His eyes are almost WELL but his
condition Will not be good as l would like
it TO be. But, nevertheless, expect 10 see him
JOHN J. QUINN.
Fitzsimmons crossed the Rio Grande
this morning and entertained the usual
crowd of sightseers watching him make
horseshoes. After a spin through the
business streets he returned to his training
quarters at Juarez, where this afternoon
he entertained a company of visitors,
among whom were Adiutant-General
Mabrv. United States Marshal of New
Mexico; Captain Hughes and Lieutenant
Sharp of the Texas Rangers, Colonel j. J.
Dickey OF Omaha, wife and party of ladies,
together with a number of military officers
and society people from El Paso and
Jlarez. FitzSimmons is in apparently
perfect physical condition and eager for
the fight. He stopped training to-day and
will rest until Friday. He asked that the
following statement be given publicity by
the United Press:
To the american people: Out OF the goodness
of the heart and believing as alleged that
Peter Maher was ont of condition on last Fri
dav, I agreed to give him three days grace
rather than set myself before the American
people in the attitude of taking advantage of
r man VINO was reported to be partly blind.
Not seeing him myself, l knew nothing to the
contrary Now that the date has been set for
friday and the assurance being given that
Maher viii be in perfect condition on that day,
I intend going to the ringside and viii be
ready to fight for kingdom. II his hackers
say, "Well, Fitz, here is blind man, and if
you insist on lighting him, go ahead" shall
say TO the referee, ''Please call time
In doing this shall feel justified, because
have agreed to two postponements, and the
last one was accompanied by forfeit OF
$4,000. In asking the referee to call time
will also be guided by the earnest belief that
Naher's crowd do not want a fight under any
circumstances, and I honestly believe that
Maher's hackers and friends have warned him
not to fight, and in so doing they have led him
to believe that if he escapes fight with NE he
can return to Ireland and pose as the only
champion of the world.
l am q naturalized citizen of the United
States, and I believe that am entitled to the
good will and support of the American people.
! have been in hard and honest training for
seven months and have spent thousands of
dollars in preparing TO meet alleged cham
pions, all of whom have, at the last moment
found some loophole to crawl out OF a fight. l
an now satisfied that none of them possess the
courage to meet me, and 1 therefore have de-
cided upon this course.
ROBERT FITzsIMMoNs,
Middle-weight Champion of the World.
Dispatches received to-day say that dele
cations from Fort Worth, Dallas, San An
tonic and Galveston are doubling back
again and quarters at one of the hotels
were ordered for a party from Hot Springs,
headed by Phil Dwyer of New York. Las
Vegas, Santa Fe, Albuquerque and other
points within twelve hours ride viii also
be we'll represented here to- M orrow.
Notice was issued from headquarters to-
night directing ticket-holders and all who
contemplate witnessing the contest to re-
port for information at 5 o'clock Thursday
afternoon. Not single bet on the result
has been heard of for several days. The
money went away with the trainloads
of sports that LETT between Friday and
Monday, and the townspeople are not sutfi-
GENTLY interested in either man 10 back
their choice with solid cash.
Among the majority of local and visiting
sports, the consensus of opinion seems to
be that the fight will not last more than
three rounds, and that the Cornishman
will have Maher at his mercy after the first
round.
Jack Everhart worked with Fitzsimmons
today and will be in his corner on Friday.
The principals of each fighter we're noti-
ueQ Tonight Dy IAN otuaiI VI lH0 pioCe
and hour at which his man is to be in
readiness. This was done in order to con-
form to the articles of agreement. Buck
Connolly received the intimation upon his
arrival on the night train from Las Crues,
and i'm mediately notified the party at the
training quarters to come down on the
morning express, wI'ch is due here at
j 40 4. NJ. The notification 10 Julian was
taken across the river little later by one
OF Stuart's lieutenants. The latest rumor
tonight is that the battle will take place
in the State of Sonora, Mexico, which has
made no preparations against an invasion
and in which Governor Ahumada has 10
authority.
Walcott and bright Eyes" were
matched this evening TO meet in twenty
round contest at Tom 0'Rourkes Long
oil gz1-I