Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-22
F|TzS|MMONS IS CHAMPION He Knocked Maher Out in Nine-
 ty-fve Seconds. THEY FOUGHT IN MEXICO In an Ideal Spot Surrounded by l6-foot Cir
 GUS Canvas. ONLY 1892 SPECTATORS WERE INSIDE The Remainder of the Crowd Saved $2o Each by Viewing the Battle From 8 Hillside-A Sqlabble at the
 Ringsde.
)NLY 1892 SPECTATORS WERE INSIDE

Ftzsimmons just ninety-five seconds this afternoon to defeat Peter Maher and be- come the heavyweight champion of the world. The fight took place in the bot toms of the Rio Grande river, on the M K ican side, mile and half distant from the Langtry depot. Even to his friends it was evident that the Irish lad was not in it from the start. Before the round had progressed thirty seconds Maher at tempted a foul and was repeatedly warn- ed by the referee. Ftzslmmons' coup was in the form of one of his famous upper hooks, with which he knocked out Hall and broke the nose of Jack Stelzner h!s trainer. Maher made 6 gallant effort to get upon his feet when time was called, but after getting half way to a recumbent stion he fell back and still had hls head on the floor when time was called, and the decision was awarded to the Cornshman.
 When the train of sports arrived from Fl Paso about 2:o0 there was no evidence of anything unusual about to occur The excursionists from Eagle Pass and other points had been belated and only some f1tty residents of the country about had gathered at the depot. One company Of the Texas Rangers guarded the depot, while the remainder went down to the bottoms on the Texas side, but not the slightest effort was made to interfere with the sports m any of their move ments When the word to move had been given the visitors speedily found that although they had been on the road for over sixteen hours and journeyed 400 miles, the hardest part of the enter tainment was yet to come. Following guides in struggling processlons, they went across the prairie for distance of 800 yards and then commenced a precipi- tous descent of a seldom-used wagon road that went in a circuitous way down to the Rio Grande
 Then there was a tramp of 300 yards more through sand and mud full ankle deep to the point where the 75-foot pom toon bridge had been stretched across the Rio Grande river, which, swollen bY recent rains, had been changed from sluggish stream to a roaring torrent. Once across the sports were on the bot toms of the Mexican side and the canvas that enclosed the ring was to be seen in the distance. Five minutes more brought the perspiring and sore-footed pedestrians to the entrance of the stiles, where Bat Masterson and Joe Vending examined the pasteboard tickets and passed the holders within. more ideal spot for such an event could hardly have been selected
 The circus canvas, with which the battle ground was enclosed, was 200 feet in circumference and 16 feet in height. The ring was composed of white pine covered with white duck. and had an elevation of feet. over in the corner to the west were two diminutive tents for the convenience of the principals in mak- ing their final preparations. Fitzsmmons and Maher, with their attendants, in the front rank of the procession, walked down but few yards apart, both reach ing the enclosure in profuse state of precipitation. They were both taken to their tents and rubbed down.
 At o'clock, when Referee Siler an- nounced that all was ready, 1S2 people were at the ring side, the remainder of the visiting party, with the local con tingent, having decided that view from the Texas hills was preferable to the ex- penditure of $20 for a ticket. In response to Silers call Julian asked for ten min utes delay Quinn consented and 1t was JeatNly granted.
 At %15 Fitzsimmons, in a flannel robe, emergA from his quarters and bounded up the Steps of the ring, selected as his corner the~,point to the west with his back to the Mexican mountains. Maher appeared a minute later and took his chair in the opposite corner. facing the Mexican side and with his back to the spectators on the Texas hills. Maher had in his corner Jim Hall. Buck Con nelly, Peter Lowrey, Jack Quinn and Peter Byrnes, while 'Parson' Davies acted as his tmekeeper. Fitzsimmons had behind him Martin Julian, Jack EV erhart. Jack Stelzner and Jack Mccoy, while Burt Sneed of New Orleans acted as timekeeper. Then the five-ounce gloves were produced from the boxes and fitted on. The men were about to strip their overcoats, when Julian called Si- Ter to the center of the ring and the two conversed quietly for couple of min utes.
 At it's conclusion Siler demanded in stentorian tones: "Is MT. O'Rourke here?"
 q am" responded the Bostonian. whose head barely came up to the level of the ring floor.
 Have you the purse money?" Siler again demanded.
 "It is here" said O'Rourke, as he pro- duced his wallet and waved two checks in the air.
 Fitzsmmons was watching the pro- ceedings with keen interest. As the pa pers were produced his lips curled. and he yelled:
 That stuff don't go, Julian; I want cash. How do we know what those things are worth?"
 Did you cash these checks last night ?" asked Siler of O'Rourke, while the crowd pressed in the neighborhood of the two men.
 "Yes, I did" shouted the Boston man. "But do you think I was fool enough to bring $2O,000 with me in such diggins as these? It Is the first time that my hon esty has been questioned. l tell you that the money is in the bank"
 Matters looked squally for a time. Julian looked O'Rourke square1y In the face defantly and said: Nobody ever questioned your honesty; but we want the money. We will take no checks" Then, addressing the crowd he contin- ued: "If there is .any dissatisfaction it is not our fault. We notified the respon- sible people several days ago that Fitz- simmons would not fight unless the mon ey was in the ring"
 "Yes" chirped Fitzsmmons from his corner, land they said it would be-"
 "Parson" Davies made a remark at this juncture to the effect that Julian was wasting time on boys nonsense, and sev- eral of the spectators cried: Go on with the fight"
 Julian retortedsthat the crowd had bet ter keep their mouths shut, as he did not intend to stand any dictation from out siders and serious trouble seemed immi- nent, when, like tiger the Cornishman leaped to his feet and made a bound to the center of the ring. and. his face in- famed with passionS fairly shrieked:
 wen take the checks. l give in to