The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-18
MRS. FITz WAS WILD.
She Tried to Get at Corbett Herself
After the Knockout

Carson, March 19.-One of the most
dramatic features of the battle was the
part Mrs. Fitzsimmons played in the
victory of her husband. Never before
in the history of the prize ring has
woman witnessed the struggle of her
husband for pugilistic honors and the
new championS wife esta blished a pre-
cedent which will scarcely ever be
equalled. Up to the night before the
fight, Mrs. FftZsimmons had declared
that she would not be present at the
ring side, but at the last moment, de-
spite advice of her friends, she insisted
on accompanying her husband. She was
vigorously cheered when she entered
the arena and appeared entirely self
contained and unconcerned as she took
her seat almost under the chair in
BOb'S corner. AS he came down the
slope from his dressing room, FitZsim-
mons stopped for moment at his wife s
side and STOPPING, kissed her as she
said cheerily: Good luck to you Bob
For the first two rounds, she sat quiz
city but as the rounds became hotter,
her excitement mastered her, and for
the remainder of the battle she stood
up on the floor or chair eXcitedly en-
couraging her husband, or hurting re-
proaches and instructions at his sec
onds. AS the battle went on. she be-
came more and more demOnstra tive
sometimes breaking forth with eXcla-
nations which bOrdered on the pro-
fame. At every blow which her lanky
spouse received from his antagonist
her eyes blaZed and with fists clenched
she cried, 1.-THE hound 1.-The puppy"
the puppy" punch him, Bob kill
him.
The plan of battle, after the sixth
round was highly displeasing to Mrs.
t1tzslmmons and in no gentle terms
she chided the seconds for not advising
different tactics.
Make him keep punching Corbett's
wind and he will win" she screamed.
You idiots, you don't know how to sec
ond man,you have lost your senses.
Do you want to defeat my husband?
Do as L tell you now, or I'll make you
wish you had
Not once during the entire scene did
shade or pallOr cross the womans
face. On the contrary, her cheeks were
fiery red and as she leaned over the
railing in front of her seat her eyes
blazing and her glOVed fingers crushed
into the palms of her hands she looked
a Verlta bic fury. At the end of every
round as the Australian stretched him
self back on the chair, she shouted
words of courage and advice continual
ly insisting that he aim his blows at
Corbett's body and let the face alone
It's the only way to whip the hound
Bob" she cried over and over" and if
you do 1 tell you, he cant last an
other round. The Whelp is going now
hit him on the body, punch him in the
wind" When the end came and Cor
bett stayed upon his knees after the ia
tai seconds, Mrs. Fitzsimmons was al
most mad with joy Shouting congrat-
platiOnS and endearing terms to the
waving her handkerchief until the tide
of humanity which swept down on the
sides of the arena towards the ring,
carried her from her place.
At this moment Corbett forced his
way to Fitzsimmons' corner and des-
perately attempted to continue the
fight, the new champions wife beside
herself with rage. clambered upon the
platform and franctically struggled to
get at the defeated man.
I'll kill him. she screamed: 'I'u kill
no nd
had woman to deal with and a rather
FORMIDABLE woman at that had not sew
era1 of his friends restrained her She
was almost carried back to her hus-
bands corner and then off the stage and
as soon as the turmoil inside the ropes
had subsidized she turned to the con-
querOr's dressing room where she af-
fectiOnately greeted him, unmindful of
the blood which dripped from his face
and stained his breast and arms.
II knew Bob would Win.' she said, as