The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-21
sLUGGERS MAKE THEIR START.
rrr TRAIN LEAVES Ell PAsO AT II
O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.

otber Point Named by RumOr-Stin
,notber story Claims the Train
VIII Double Back TO Fort Han
cock.
III Paso. Tex, Feb. 20.-Peter Maher ar
rived from Las Cruces at noon to-day ac-
.ompapied by Dan Quinn, Jim Hall, Peter
Iowrey, Jerry Marshall and a number OF
pit,sburg friends, who have been visit
ing at his training quarters during the
rssr few days. DIR. White awaited their
arrival He closely examined Maher's eyes
and declared that they were in fairly
good condition and the vision was perfect.
4 delegation of correspondents was af-
forded a view of Maher and he declared 10
them that he was in good shape.
From careful examination it seems that
Connelly's apprehension of Maher's con-
dition was a trile pessimistic and his anx-
ietv has led him to feel dubious of his man
entering the ring in top-notch shape. The
Irish lad certainly never looked better mt
10 fight and apparently is stronger and
harder by odds than when he fought Steve
O'Donnen. His skin IS bronzed from train
ing in the sunlight and his muscles, while
flexible, are strong as knOtted ropes. His
eyes are still a little weak, however, and
show traces Of the soreness caused by the
alkali dust. The whites of his eye are
tneed with a faint shade of red, but the
pupils are clear and bright. On either
side of his forehead there is a fresh blis-
ter caused by the app cation of counter
irritants. This gives him no pain and Will
be no factor in the coming fight. This
afternoon Maher took d long walk to the
outskirts Of FL Paso in company with his
trainers. After being rubbed down he
declared that he was in fine condition.
Alaher said tonight: Il never talk much,
but / wish to say to my friends that am
In first rate condition, and am ready TO
enter the ring at any minute. L under
stand Fitzsimmons characterized me as
cur a few days ago. He would never nave
dared to talk that way if l was present.
Wait till 1 get a crack or two at him to-
morrow, ana We VIII see VINO IS cur.
lie is a great big buffer but bluffs won't
go in our arguments. My friends have
no fear of the result
The first suspicion of betting was no
ticed TODAY Only a few thousand dol
lars were wagered, and the odds We're in
favor of FNtz Most of the money was
placed at 100 to IS, and that on the Cor
nishman; The Maher crowd appear TO nave
plenty Of money, but viii wait to bet at
the ring side, in the hopes OF securing bet
ter odds.
Shortly after o'clock the crowd of in
tending participants began to line up again
at headquarters. There were perhaps $50
sports from outside the city, while the
local fraternity was represented by about
q fifth of that number. AS each man re-
CeiEed his pastebOard, the rendezvous of
the departure was given him in an under
tone.
Maher drove by at $3.50 o. clock with a
big crowd of enthusiastic friends in his
rear. He was given a cheer as he passed
the office ana poking face Wreathed
with smiles out of the window he waved
his hand in response.
Maher viii have in his corner to-mor-
row, Jim Hall, Buck Connolly, Peter
RWFnRG
while ParsOn Davies will act as his time
keeper.
Fitz will have behind him Martin Ju-
Ian, Jack Everhardt, Jack Stelzener and
Jack Mccoy, while Hugh Kane will prob
ably act as time-keeper.
Bat MaSterson will officiate as master
Of ceremonies and chief sergeant-at-arms.
George Siler as referee and Lou House
man as official time-keeper.
Gov Thornton of New Mexico arrived in
the city this afternoon and was closeted
Tor an hour with one Of his representa-
uves, who has been under cover in town
for ten days. Subsequently, however, the
governor said that his visit had no rela-
ton to the fight.
The latest tips afloat were taken across
the river to the Mexican authorities by
mounted cOurierS.
Just before train time Fitz and Julian
We're brought to Dan Stuart's office in a
carriage Julian, on behalf of Fitz, de-
manded that the purse be converted into
money to be paid at the ring side. He in
sisted that no checks would be fought for
or accepted by Fitz To this Stuart agreed.
0lakehOlder O'ROurke was hunted up and
produced the checks. The carriage was
sent out for the cashiers of the banks and
Waeh they appeared at their respective in
tluonS the vaults were opened and 100000
~ one hundred dollar bills was counted,
S9w9 from the State Bank and $1,000 from
Ine FIRST National Bank. The entire pile
was turned over to referee George Siler,
VINO wrote a note to Julian stating that
Ae would produce it al the ring-side. La
ter Julian said he would demand to see it
uelofe the train pulled out. Il don't mis-
mIusI anyone of these people," said he.
Dut we have been turned down once and
W. propose 10 be on the safe side this
The departure was made over the South
TTH Pacltic road tonight at Ills o'clock.
.gte was not a dozen men in the entire
S6nt coach loads, however, who knew
~ MIeie they were going to bring up.
L'GiE other man had a different tip and
eaCH was positive that his was the only
sHon-pure article. There were surface
I 1IteIc9tl0n5, however, that the destination
Hds Del RiO, a point on the SandersOn
fTt9HC4 OF the Southern Pacific railroad.
"a no Is 495 miles distant from this city.
+-AelCSs tne RlO Grande river IS Del Nor
t d Mexican town, in the state of Goa
rrad ana outside of the jurisdiction of
igo.; Ahumada. The nearest military post
~ CuaJ OF Portirero and is seventy-hve
HhIies ulstant. For scores of miles around
Nv country is wild and mountainous,
MMaue the hills contain a score of level
fa 1edu that would make an ideal spot
~ ule encounter. Those closest to the
promoters believe that this is the exact
cgsLlhation, but there are others who
..ialin TO have authentic information that
o"e uraln IS to run to Del Rio or Langtry,
siduon forty miles this side and then
uGInie back to Fort Hancock, fifty-three
ttIines from here, where the Mexican from
IL IIeL Is reached in a walk of a mile and
raII. Color is given to this theory by a
ttldIk OF one of the managers to the
tneel that while it would take seven to
tEEe've hours to reach the battle ground,
ife return might be made in two hours
lue engineer was so disposed. The
cf fHys tomorrow will take up the thread
irlh III me story, whether the strands be float
Ts Ts IN old Mexico, or New Mexico, in
1g&aS or in Arizona
tbaue crowd on the train was smaller
orf craIi expected, the number of passengers
co153iii,llating here being only 230 others
tb'l-e from the west, however to make
T5tL l9l lal about 300. The Texas rangers,
dag, Dlankets and equipments for a three
II H. campaign, march up Oregon street
iBs w depot at $3.50 o'clock and watched
onart eparture of the train Fitzsimmons'
eyerieIs IN Juarez were surrounded this
nanlls by the Mexican peons but the
croSssss and his principal had already
used to El Paso
sevarT,i ideNican authorities were advised
pocaaldd Gays ago that the ring was in