Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-14
FIGHT PROSPECT BAD
But The Fact Is Not Due TO Opposition
Of the Authorities.
v,urR HAS OPHTHALMfA
Roth of His Eyes Are Seriously
.Hected-Oculist Says He shouidnt
ming within n weels-sports
panfciSy.
panfcky.

Ell, PAsO. TEX, February l3.-To-night
tho nrosnects OF the Fitzsimmons- Maher
contest being pulled off on schedule time
tomorrow are exceedingly dubious. Inns
condition of affairs Is not due 10 the
efforts of the Federal, State, or Mexican
authorities TO prevent the two men from
coming together. TO any inaoiilty On
the mart of Dan. Stuart TO guarantee
safe battle-ground, but solely TO the TACT
that Peter Maher Is suffering from
temporary affection Of the eyes tha'
would make It impossible for him TO put
I'D a decent showing in the ring.
About a week ago. while taking morn
ing walk at Las Cruces in brisk wiho'
several particles Of sand were blown into
his left eve. and later in the day, While
kicking a football in his tent, quantity
of dust was knocked from the ROOF INTO
the same optic.
The next day Inflammation set in, and
the services Of a local doctor were caiieo
into reouisition. The trouble, however,
was obstinate. and refused to yield 10
treatment, and a couple of days since the
right eve also became affected.
Visitors to the training quarters from
Sunday to Tuesday noticed the trouble,
and regarded 1t as Of 50 triding nature
that nothing was thought or said OF
the matter until to-day. when word was
received at headquarters that the IRISH
man was i'm bad shape and tnat a nshe
tomorrow was next 10 an impossioillty.
once &cnl 10 Lbs
Cruces urging him TO come to the city
nv the first train. The regular daily
passenger train had, however, already
nassed the training ground, and nothing
remained but 10 wait for the Silver CITY
freight to which passenger caDOoae
Is attached. This arrived over the SANTA
Ea road shortly before 7 o'clock, and a
large crowd Of local and visiting sports
gathered at the depot 10 see something
of the would-be champions for themselves
In this. however, they were disappointed
for Maher, who was accompanied Dy MS
manager. j. j. Quinn, and Pete Lowry
left the train at the smelter three miles
out. Here a carriage was in waiting, and
the party was driven to the offices in me
Grand Central Hotel Of DR.. 5. T. White,
the leading local oculist.
AGGRAVATED oPHrHALMIA.
After a thorough examination or.
White came 10 the conclusion that Manner
was suffering from an aggravated case OF
ophthalmia, caused by aikali dust entering
the eye-lids, and he expressed the opinion
that he could not enter the ring with
any prospect OF being on equal terms with
his opponent, In the matter OF eye-sight.
ar least Maher was considerably dis
heartened by this opinion, and after
conference with Quinn messenger was
dispatched to Juarez with the request that
T'itzsimmons and Julian come across the
river as quickly as possible.
when pressed for a more definite state
mant. DIR. White said that with care
Maher might be able to get into the
ring In three days, but that IL would be
better to allow himself a week. He pre-
scribed a wash, and advised Maher' 70
keep away from the sunlight. 1t would
DO safer. II he would keep hts eyes BAN
daged. and avoid exercise.
The party remained I'm the Doctors Of
fee until Julian put in an appearance
with the statement that the Australian
had authorized him TO make any arrange
mcnts he might see fit.
Joe Vendlg Makers hacker. desig-
mated Buck" Conelly, 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 dag
nosed by DR.. White. He attributes 1t
10 the careless use OF unclean towels.
PANS AMONG VISITORS.
The change In the situation created
panic among the visitors. who have been
attracted here for the carnival. and there
were score or more OF big crowds
on Main and interesting streets.
At first the opinion was expressed by
many that the story OF Makers disa-
bility was simply ruse 10 put the
authorities of their guard. while there
were others who held TO the opinion that
the story had been Matched by the
carnival manager on the chance that a
postponement would bring a bigger
crowd.
When the diagnosis and advise Of DR..
White were passed from one TO an
other he doubts gave way 10 express
sIons OF sympathy for Iaher. although
good many individuals who had tra-
yelled long distances with the sole object
OF witnessing the bic fight, and then OF
starting post-haste for home. cursed their
luck. and vov,ed th&t there was Jonah
In the Fltzsimmons camp. Only here
and there could be found a man will
3no 20 express HIS disgust with the whole