The herald., 1896-02-22


river bank last night, after working hard
all day upon roadway down the bluff. A
narrow wooden footbridge had been put up
across the swiftly flowing stream. The
crowd stumbled over the stony path and
waded ankle deep in the sand, guided by
little Jimmy White, a boy who came from
Toronto to be at the fight. The battle
ground was sandy flat upon big bend
in the Rio Graude river on the Mexican
aide. 1t was two miles from the village OF
Langtry. In the center of canvas wall,
about 200 feet in dismeter, the ring was
pitched. The board floor was covered with
canvas, over which rosin was spread. At
one side was the frame compartment Tor
the taking by the isinetoscope OF the pic
lures of the fight as it proceeded. On the
opposite side Of the ring were two little
tents for the principals. Fitzsimmons
was the first to leave the train,
There were following Fitzsimmons Mar
tin Julian, Jack Everhardt, William Me
Coy and Jack Stelzner, who we're in his
corner. Fitzsimmons took the first tent
when be entered the canvas enclosure,
Maher took the second. Maher arrived
five minutes after Fitzsimmons. He was
followed from the tram by a crowd as we'll
as his seconds, bearing his effects-Jim
Hall, Buck Connolly, Peter Lowrie, Jack
Quinn and Peter Burns. Little time was
lost in getting ready. Before he dofied
his street garb bitzsmmons stepped up
and took a look at the ring. Soon there
after he came in the ring wrapped in
striped bath robe. He was applauded by
200 voices vocferously.
Fitzsimmons sat down in the corner
nearest to the steps leading to the plat
form. A man near offered 500 even on
him. As Aaher climbed into the ring
near the corner he occupied, a voice near
by offered 800 to S75 on Fitzsmmons.
There we're no takers. George Siler
Ii fhn r.l. nIr ut Na
same time as Maher. With Julian and
Hall he examined the five-ounce gloves.
The gloves were of different makes and
different colors, FitzsiInmons' being light
green and Maher's dark brown, Fitzsirn-
mons seconds tried on the gloves. Siier
announced besides the official referee,
Louis Houseman, Bert Sneed of New Or
leans would act for Fitzsimmons and
sParson'' Davies of Chicago would hold
the watch for Maher. Siler gave notice to
each man that Houseman would sound
whistle five seconds before call of time for
the rounds as signal TO get ready.
"Siler," Julian said, "is the money up in
cash?"
Siler called for the purse. Tom O'Reurke
handed up two certified checks. Siler ten
dered them to Julian, who said they would
not do, that they wanted The cash.
"We gave you notice three days ago."
Fitzsimmons chimed in from his chair, adj
dressing himself to Siler, that we would
not fight unless the money was put up i'll
your hands at the ringsde."
ssThey're all right" Tom O'Rourke said
from the vicinity of Maher's corner. do
you think would pack $4,000 in cash
down here? 1t is the first time l have
ever been questioned. You people have
been going around for days clacking."
Julian wanted the cash. Siler reiterated
that the checks were certified and there
fore all right.
=. s,,f t<J
1--WE have given in to everything and will
give in to this. -
Fitzsimmons' tone was contemptuous,
and he tossed his head. The utterance
was applauded. Siler took the checks
silently. The referee called the men to
the center of the ring and said: "By the
articles of agreement this is to be fair
up-and-up fight. When there is clinch
and q call for a break-away each of you
take step back. l don't want to be seiz-
ing you and getting between you, If there
is knock-down the man must be upon
his feet before he can be assailed. Be
careful about fouls. Get ready"
Fitzsimmons went to his corner and
doffed his bath-robe. Julian and Ever
hardt removed Fitzsimmons remaining
raiment, and the Australian stood forth in
short, tight trunks of dark blue, with a belt
showing the American colors. He had on
black hose, rolled down to the top of his
ring shoes.
When a similar Office had been per-
formed for Maher he showed up in black
trunks half way to his knees, with a green
belt. His hose and shoes were similar to
those of Fitzsimmons.
The Australian throughout the prelimi-
naries had shown the utmost confidence.
Maher's lips seemed parched, and he
moistened them with his tongue and took
deep inh alations as if his mouth and throat
were dry.
i
men advanced, Fitzsimmons with the air
of confidence still showing plainly; Maher
promptly and with more of a familiar air
than he had yet shown. They returned to
their corners. An instant later the whistle
of warning sounded; five seconds later the
call of slime" followed. Up sprang Fitz-
simmons. advancing with his little eyes
flashing like balls of Furnished blue.
Maher's advance was rapid enough to
meet FitzsiInmons, almost in the middle
of the 24-foot ring. His eyes were circled
from the recent effects of the 'alkali eye"
and seemed staring like stage makeup
without the deceptive footlight glare. The
fight for the heavyweight championship of
the world was at last reality.
First round-Eitz led with his left; Maher
backed toward his corner. Ftz landed
with his left, Maher backed further toward
his corner. Fitz landed with his right and
q cEnch followed. Maher struck Fitz with
his right hand while they were clinched
and Referee Siler warned him if he did so
again he would give the fight to Fitz. After
the break away. Peter landed his left on
Fitz's neck. Close infighting followed and
Maher succeeded in landing his left on
Fitz's upper lip, drawing blood Fitz
landed with his left and right. A clinch
followed Maher feinted and Fitz led with
his right but fell short. A mix-up followed
In which Maher landed both right and left
on either side of Fits head. Maher led
with his left, when another clinch followed.
Fitz seemed a bit bothered and broke
ground on Maher's lead, Maher followed
him up and led with his left, when Ftz
side-stepped and swinging his right landed
full on the point of Maher's left chin.
Maher measured his length on the floor.
his head striking the canvas with great
force. He vainly attempted to rise, but
could not do more than raise his head. His
seconds called on him to get up, but he
failed to respond and sank back on tue
canvas.
AS Maher fell to the floor Fitzsimmons
stepped back, his eyes sparkling and a
smile playing around his mouth. He gazed
upon his fallen foe for about three seconds
and then walked over to his corner and sat
down. Julian, Mccoy and Everhardt
crowded around him, urging him to get up
and fight.
'Look out for him, Fitzsimnons,'' yelled
Julian. "Look out for him."
''Stand up, for heavens sake" pleaded
Julian and Everhardt. 'He may come at
you.o
sect awaV from me- get avav from mo