The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-07
LETTER FROM FITzsIMMoNs,
In Which He Announces His Retire
ment From the Ring for All Time.


Bob Fitzsimmons has written a letter
announcing his retirement from the ring
for good. His letter reads:
New York Oct. Ito the public
When I wrote at Carson City on March
II, on which occasion defeated James J.
Corbett for the heavyweight champion
ship of the world, I have fought my last
fight, had an idea that the public gen
orally would take it that I knew what I
was writing about and meant every word
of it. Subsequent events, however, have
dispeled that belief, and I see it is nee
essary to go into details in justification
of the position I took and which I still
maintain.
Cannot a man shape his own course
in life and run things to suit himself
without the population at large under
taking to force him into renewal of an
occupation that he has unquaHhedly and
distinctly renounced? And why did re-
nounce it?
"On the morning of the eventful day
got up al o'clock and took my morning
exercise, Mrs. F'itzsimmons preparing my
breakfast of broiled chicken, coffee and
toast, as she had done for at least a
week preceding the fight. After the
meal she droYe me along the country
road from my training quarters to the
ring. The day was perfect and she put
on an air of buoyancy that was intended
to comfort me She laughed at the
queer old rigs that had gathered about
the arena, nodded pleasantly to those
who cheered as we passed and talked
about the triumphant trip back to New
York She had too much tact and in
telIfgence to even suggest any kind OF
misfortune, and to all queries replied that
she had faith in me and knew that the
victory was to come my way before the
day was over.
Il went, with my wife on my arm, i'm
mediately to my dressing room and
stretched out on my couch, with my wife
sitting beside me. Bob said she to me.
tucking my overcoat around my neck to
keep me warm, how much longer do you
intend to fight for living% I guess this
will be my last fight, Rose, if 1 win 1
replied, as I looked at her anxious face.
And if you'-she couldn't say it if her
life depended on the word, because she
did not believe such a thing possible Al
though, perhaps, something might hap
Den. and even she could not dismiss such
a possibility. But I think III win, Rose
I'll do my best for your sake Her only
answer was a pressure of her hand on
my arm Just at that moment Dan Stu
art knocked at my door and said: Get
ready. Bob; it's 10 minutes to L. You
are expected to be in the ring at noon
Mrs FitzsimmOns got up, kissed me, and
with a few encouraging words, Went 10
the door, where a friend was waiting to
escort her to a seat at the ringside. Dur
ing those few seconds, between the time
she left me and put her hand on the
door-knob the whole situation rushed up
on me, and I felt that it was my duty
even if it was the last act of my life. to
win that fight and quit for good and for
her. knew her heart was heavy with
anxiety and that she was going to her
seat with a burden that few women have
ever had to bear Then decided to send
her away at least happy with a promise
that I will never break.
g Rose exclaimed, come here for a
moment She returned quickly and bent
over me again. I took her hand and
squeezed it sincerely. I want to tell you
that I intend to win, even if I die for it.
This is my last fight. give my word Tor
that Be brave: I will win She kissed
me once more. and did not see her again
until I came into the ring. But her face
was radiant with joy at my promise to
retire 1t was that expression that gave
me the strength to win that fight, and
the promise that I made my wife on the
eve of battle is sacred to me and will be
kept until Robert Fitzsimmons goes out
for good When the fight was over she
came to me and her eyes were filled with
tears of joy. It was ample payment for