The morning times., 1896-02-19
SPORTS HAVE ALL GONE |
Interest in the Big Fight Has
Nearly Waned.
PUGILISTs STILL TALKING
Managers Declare That the Chance
= of Pulling Off the Maher-Fitz. Fight
Is Better Than Before the Small
Contests We're Declared Off-Saucy
Telegram From Corbett.

Ell Paso, Texas, Feb. 1S.-Interest in the
possible meeting of Maher and Fitzsimmons
ON Friday has about petered out. The
throngs that erstwhile blockaded Ell Paso
street from store front to curb have grad
ualIy dwindled to complete disappearance,
and the groups that are occasionally en-
countered ON the cross -thoroughfares are
composed, in the main, OF Mexicans from
Juarez or ruraHtes from the surrounding
country.
The headquarters, too, are deserted and
need only streamer Of crepe on the door
to complete their funeral aspect. The feel
ing is next door to general that something
will again happen To keep the men from en-
tering the ring. Taken together never has
a worlds championship pugilistic contest
been immediately preceded by such an utter
lack of enthusiasm or exhilaration.
Fitzsmmons took his daily spin to town
on his wheel this morning. Julian had pre-
ceded him on an International mule.
FOUR HOURS EXERCISE.
Fitzsimmons took four hours exercise at
his Juarez quarters this morning, boxing
with Mccoy. the local heavyweight, wrest-
ling with Jack SteIsener of st. Louis, and
punching the bag. There is no question that
he is in magnificent condition while his
temper toward Maher is decidedly ugly.
Everything indicates that he will put
mp the fight or his life if the opportunity
is offered three days hence.
The companies of State rangers, twenty
four men all told, still remain in the city,
although they are not so much in evidence
about the streets as they were last week.
Adjutant Mabry held a consultation this
afternoon with Capts. Mcdonald and Bell,
and later informed the United Press rep
resentative that the rangers would re-
main here until the fight managers had
gone out OF business.
A semi-official statement given out from
headquarters today, says in part: mo
one should think that the Fitzsimmons-
Maher fight will not take place simply
because the lesser fights have been de-
clared off. The fact of the matter is
that Stuart has been placed in a better
position to pull off the big fight since
the little events are out of the way than
he was before.
DON'T FEAR INTERFERENCE.
mere Is no netu Tor tne VlSltOrS tnaJ
remain to fear interference. The ring is
well located and the conditions are such
that no one will be arrested or molested.
This much can be stated absolutely, tele-
grams and assertions TO the contrary not
withstanding."
Spider Kelly, who came down from
Las Cruces today says that MaiIer walked
twelve miles yesterday. and afterward
took two hours exercise indoors. His
eyes were doing well, and there was no
question OF his being fit for the ring Friday.
Fitzsimmons received today dispatch
dated at Chicago and reading as follows:
ITO Robert Fitzsimmons: Read in to-
nights paper that you said / was a cur.
The first time / see YOU Will make you
take it back, as | did before.
u. j. C0RBETT."
After making the air sulphurous for a
while, Fitzsimmons turned the message
over TO Julian, who promptly filed the
following reply:
y. ]. Corbett, Chicago: All right chap
pie get ready, put yourself in better condi-
tion that you were in Hot Springs, and
get down here. Fitzsin,mons will put
you out of existence the day after be puts
| Maher among the has -beens.
MARTIN JULIAN"