The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-02-14
THE BIG FIGHT POSTPONED.
Maher in no Condition to Enter the
Prize Ring.
NEARLY BLINDED BY ALKALI DUST.
His Eyes in Such Serious Condition That
Both Julian and Fitzsimmons Unhesitat-
ingly Consent to Postponement
of the Proposed Mill.

flee yesterday afternoon with the informa-
tion that Maher would not because of his
eyes, be in a condition TO fight today, and
saying that it would be absolutely neces-
sary to have postponenent. He said that
Maher's eyes had been so badly inflamed
by sand blowing in them during his train
ing that he could scarcely see Stuart at
once set to work to secure postponement
Of the time necessary to enable Maher to
get into condition. According to the con-
ditions of the match Maher and Fitzsim-
mons have each posted forfeit of 81 900
to insure their appearance in the ring.
Julian, when seen by Stuart, declined
to accept the statement of Connolly with
out veritlcation. He insisted that Maher
should come to El Paso and submit to in
spection to determine whether or not his
eyes were in such a condition as stated by
Connolly. If they were, then Julian de-
clared that Fitzsimmons would agree to
the postponement and claim no forfeit. If
they are not as badly inAamed as reported
he would insist upon the fight taking
place, and if Maher failed to appear the
forfeit would be claimed. Dan Stuart
said:
IF they agree among themselves to post
pone the fight am willing it should be
done, but am ready to pull of the fight
on Feb. IA, just as | have always said l
would do, Let the men declare themselves
ready and the fight is certainty so far as
am concerned"
Maher came to the city at 6 80 last night.
His eyes were tightly closed, and he wore
green shade over them. Over the green
shade was travelling cap with the vizor
pulled down close upon the nose to prevent
the light from striking his eyes. He was
compelled to allow Connolly and Hall to
| guide him to the carriage as he was ut
terly unable to open his eyes. The car
ridge was quickly driven to u little brick
building on an alley just off the Plaza.
! The newspaper representatives were sent
for by Connolly, and Maher's eyes were
| inspected They were swollen almost shut
and with fluid coming from the corners.
A raising of the lids showed that the eye
balls We're greatly inflamed
Maher has been training in an old adobe
rink at Las Cruces. The dust was 50 thick
when he was going through his training
that visitors complained Of it, and warned
Maher against continuing work in an at
mosphere of dust Sunday one of his eyes
began to pain him. Tuesday both eyes
were affected, and the condition of the
| fighter has been getting worse until yes
terday he could not see.
Mahers trouble is not uncommon to
this region. Residents are not so liable to
it as those who have been here but a short
time. The alkali dust creates an irrita-
tion that results in blindness and great
pain, but it usually passes away in a week
or ten days. An army surgeon, who ex-
amined Maher's eyes, said he thought they
would be well in a week. DIR. Yandell.
city health officer, who looked at the suf-
ferer today, said Maher would not be able
to enter a ring for week.
Martin Julian and Fitzsimmons were
sent for as soon as Maher was placed in a
room. Both examined the sufferers eyes,
expressed their sympathy for him and an
nounced that they would not, under the
circumstances, claim forfeit
1t was finally decided that the fight
should be postponed until Monday at the
earliest. If Maher is not in shape to fight
at that time Julian will decide as to what
he will do regarding his forfeit. Although
Julian talks about his forfeit, he really
could do nothing else than agree to the
| postponement, for he has not cent of
money up as forfeit, all of his 81 900 for
felt being deposited by Stuart personally
'"There will be fight " Dan Stuart said
81 do not intend to publish my plans to
| the country, and thereby forewarn and
forearm my opponents, but there will be a
| fight Make the declaration from me, and
make 1t positive and strong"
| Probably the state of chihuahua will
pour forth an array of some 200 men in all
| to prevent a pugilistic invasion of Mexico.
! The river was carefully patrolled yesterday
ten miles up and down. Governor Ahum-
ada said that he had no intention of pa
trolling further down the stream though
! he thought no effort would be made to
cross the Rio Grande beyond that limit.
| He also said that he had no intention of
bringing more troops, as he did not con
slider it dignihed business for the army of
Mexico to be chasing a couple of hundred
miles. This is something of a backdown
from the stand he took three days ago,
when he declared that the fight would not
come off, and that serious trouble awaited
the pugilists if they tried it.
1t will be an easy thing to bring off any
number of fights on Mexican soil if the
governor does not extend his patrol further
down the river than twenty five miles
from Juarez. Any number of men can
make a run across the line and get out be
fore the officers can reach the scene.
Just before the State National bank
closed its doors yesterday afternoon u pa
per was served on the cashier attaching the
funds alleged to have been deposited there
by Tom O'Rourke and Dan Stuart as
Stockholders in the big match This ac
tion was taken by Jimmy Carroll, who il
said to be instructor, partner, manager
and trainer for Fitzsimmons. Carroll
; claims 5000 is due him for services, and he
wanted to tie up this sum in the event OF
Bob's victory But O'Rourke either an,
ticipated some play of this sort or feared
some of the transom workers might cap
ture the money and withdrew the stakes
from the bank early in the morning, lie
now carries it in his pocket, and has plenty
pf what is known here as hardware TO pro