The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-18

power of his arms. He Is heavy enough
to win. He has the greatest confidence in
1 himself and is a sure winner. / have
heard that Corbett is In fine shape bu,
he cannot be in any better condition than
Fitzsinmoons. You viii see great fight
1.-THE greatest in the world, and Fitzsim-
mons will be standing up at the end"
"Fftzsimmons will win,'' said Hickey 81
| don't see how he can lose No man was
ever in better condition. Every muscle in
his body is right and his wind could not
be better. He has purposeiy let me hi;
| him in our bouts and 1 have put in some
good ones. but he did not mind them et
| all. Corbett may punch him dozen times
but I don't think he can hit hard enough
TO make much of an impression, as Fitz-
| simmons can be so perfect that he Will be
able to recover quickly. Corbett can not
wear him out All Fitzsimmons has to do
| is to land one stiff jab. long or short, and
| Corbett will not get on his feet The blows
of the two men are as a feather TO a
| ton"
MY money Is on Fitzsimmons." said
Roeber. That shows what 1 think about
| the result. He is all right. He worked
hard and faithfully and could not be in
better shape. He strikes like a mule kicks.
No punishment Corbett can give him can
knock him out. If Fitzsimmons hits Cor
bett once, and ne is clever enough to do
ii before many rounds have been fought,
you will see Corbett drop and be carried
TO his quarters
The party began preparing little after
9 o'clock for the arena. being due there,
under the order issued by Stuart, at 10
sharp. Not much preparation was neces-
sary. Fitzsimmons put on his cap and
was ready. He wore his fighting costume
OF green tights and colors, suit of light
checked material. a blue sweater and ordi-
nary shoes. His trainers did not add to
their personal adornment, wearing their
customary clothes-a red sweater, a pair
OF old trousers and shoes to match.
Before leaving the house. Bob kissed the
baby and Mrs. F'itzsimmons, the latter
saying to him:
'I'll expect to hear good news from
you"
"You WILL" replied Fitzsimmons.
She had at that time no intention Of BE-
ing present at the fight but arrangements
had been made for courier service be-
tween the arena and Cooks ranch so that
she would know without delay what was
transpiring in the ring.
The little party left the ranch in ample
time to make the journey of three miles,
driving leisurely. The helpers went ahead
to get things ready at the dressing room.
Fitzsimmons and Julian rode in one buggy
and Roeber, Steiner and Hickey in
another close behind and within talking
distance.
The road from the ranch to Carson is not
lined with objects of interest. 1t winds
through a maze of sage brush for half
he iS hrN-
ken by anything worthy of attention. Fitz-
simmons was i'll excellent spirits and in
really good humor, talking as much as
usual to his associates and. of course.
abused Corbett, speaking of the fight as
his own.
His confidence seemed to be so great
that there was no need for encoura cement
from his companions.
1--WE will have the purse coming back"
said Fitzsimmons
Sure said Stelzner.
"How will Corbett get out Of town.
asked Hickey.
.In a box car" growled Julian, with
Jim in the middle"
All laughed at this allusiol to possible
funeral About half way between Cooks
ranch and town the road runs over lit
tie hill, from which can be seen the upper
part of the rough frame building, three
miles away, in which Corbett did his in
door work.
1t stands out prominently owing to the
clearness of the atmosphere and the more
so because the construction boards are not
yet weather-stained. A turn in the road
brought the building squareiy in the faces
of the party and they could not avoid Sec
ing it unless they turned their heads down,
and that they would not do, as they were
going to the fight, not turning away. All
saw the structure at the same time and Il
naturally provoked talk
"Wiu they carry him in?" asked Fitz-
simmons.
They will carry him back" replied Ju-
lian where at all chuckled.
'I'Il soon have my chance TO do him up,
said Fitzsimmons
And stop his wind" put IN Steiner.
YES" said Fitzsimmons. that is all
there is to him. l only want TO land once
on him."
While passing the penitent!ary, just be-
yond the outskirts of the city, very little
was said, Fitzsimmons being particularly
silent. He had visited the institution and
saw the footprints of the prehistoric man.
supuosed by biologists to have been four
entity the feet of Fitzsimmons had not
made as large an impression in the mud,
but the other end of him is so organized
that it Is not impossible that he thought
he was Just as big a man as his predeces-
sen who took his road exercise Whereabouts
more than 10000 years ago.
1t was pretty generally known about
town what time the fighters were due and
the sidewalks were crowded with people
when the Fitzsimmons party drove by.
There was no particular enthusiasm
merely a How are you Fitzsimmons," or
wish you luck" or limited cheer or
two from an acquaintance or an admirer.
No time was lost inside the city limits.
The horses going at a good jog through
the streets, the arena being reached with
out rntshap. As FitZsimmons reached his
dressing room he was rubbed down. and IN
a short time was prepared TO answer
summons 20 face his antagonist IN the
ring.
WHERE THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT
Description OF the Arena and How tho
Crowd Was Handled.
y The