The Irish standard., 1897-05-29
THE CLAIMS OF THE CHAMPION r
rs. PUGILIsT ARE ALLOWED.
.,nyEnTs A PuAcnlAe-sAs PLATFORM.
THE CONQUEROR OF CORBETT AND
HIS DANISH DOG.
i SENSATION At The PATENT OFFICE.
THE ExPERr~sAYs BOB HAS GOOD
THING.

Robert Fitzsimmons, ESQ.,, professor
OF the manly art of self-defense, con-
lueror of James Corbett and long line
of lesser pugilistic lights, who has
knocked out good men in from nine
minutes to an hour and a half, on Tues
day knocked out a first-class patent in
six minutes by the patent Office clock.
Fits claims to being genius are ad-
mitted by all who have seen him In the
ring, but it was not generally known
that he was an inventor. His high fore
head, and especially his hard head,
which has successfully withstood the
assaults of many bunch OF fives,"
might have given the reading public
tip on his ability In other directions,
but it was not until he filed with the
well-known patent finn of John Wed
derburn & Co., an application for let
tiers patent on a striking-bag platform,
a device at once useful and ornamental,
that it. became known that Red Rob
ert" had blossomed out full-t1edged
Fitzsimmons reached Washington
Monday afternoon, and that evening
gave an exhibition in connection with
the Vaudeville company, of which he
is now the bright particular star. The
next morning he got up even earlier
than during the Carson City days, when
he was fitting himself to meet "Pompa-
dour Jim," and getting into a carriage
he drove to the Office of Messrs. We'd
derburn & Co., while at the side OF the
vehicle ran "Yarrum," the gigantic
great Dane, who is full brother to the
magnificent dogs owned by Prince Bis
marck. Arriving at Mr.. Wedderburn's
ONCE Fitz was received by the
head of the firm and made tour of
the big building which houses Mr.. We'd
derburn's corps of clerks. Then the
.party entered the carriage and drove
across the street, for the entrance to the
patent Office is hardly one hundred feet
away.
Arrived at the basement door trouble
began, for Yarrum decided that he
would not permit his master Ito enter
the gloomy corridors of the big build
ing unattended. The; Waterman, hear
ing that a dog wanted to get in, rushed
down to the entrance for the purpose
Of barring his way, but when Yarrnm's
big muzzle was thrust into his face at
the height of his chin he fell back with
all speed. The tall pugilist, however,
decided that he wouldn't take the big
dog up stairs but his masters most val
liant efforts were necessary to induce
him to enter a room in the basement
where he was chained to an iron rail-
Ing that threatened to leave it's sockets
at every lunge of the great animal.
This preliminary performance was
visible to passers-by, and in less than
two minutes Seventh street was black
with people who crowded round the
ratings and blocked the entrance to the
big stone building in their anxiety to
catch a glimpse of the fisticuff cham
pion, and half a dozen policemen were
needed to open up q narrow lane
through which other people doing busi-
ness with the big government building
could pass.
When "Yarrum" had been securely
tied, Fitzsimmons, escorted by Mr.. We'd
derburn and accompanied by several
experts and a corps of reporters, entered
the elevator and was hoisted to the
top of the building, where the division
presided over by DR.. Littlewood is To-
catd. Fits invention being an appli-
ance for the preservation of the health
was classified by the patent Office with
surgical instruments, delicate little
compliment which the inventor keenly
appreciated.
DR.. LittleWood is a mild-mannered
gentleman with gray hair and snowy
little side whiskers. His bright eye,
his keen glance and the self-contafned
manner in which he goes about his bus
mess mark him as skilled expert.
thoroughly competent to manage the
important interests intrusted to his care.
He invited his distinguished visitor to q
chair at the right hand Of his desk,
and the papers in the case were speedily
spread before him. An effort had been
made to keep out the crowd Of clerks and
messengers who had poured into the
corridor upon hearing that the great
pugilist was In the building, but DR..
l4ittlewood good-naturedly permitted
them to stream INTO his room, and the
interview between himself and the stall
wart inventor took place in the presence
Of 1t last one, hundred people. half of
whom were the "lady clerks of the big
bureau. Fitz's appearance in his shiny
I high hat and handsome frock coat did
not suggest the traditional aspect of the
prize fighter, and one broad-faced little
blonde. who stood within six inches Of
the big champion, asked him innocently
! 10 please point out the prize-fighter."
vhereupon Fits. with twinkle in his
eye, designated Mr.. Wedderburn, whose
stalwart ngure doomed up above the
cruwd Of clerks on the other side Of
i kSa Hahln There vvaas much lang Inter-. ut