The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-16
THE BIG PRIZE FIGHT.
Referee Siler's Rules Agreed...to After a
Kick from characterization of the Frin.
~cipals-Rumors of u Plan o.Loot the Box
Office.

Office.
Carson, New, March 12.-Several
knotty problems in connection with the
big fight were discussed and solved to-
day. principally among them being the
agreement between the fighters as to
the Qucensbery rules and Dan Stuart's
compromise with the kaleidoscope Com
pany.
The principals in the main event Of
the carnival eased off in their work,
and a large delegation Of sporting men
from the east arrived.
Martin Julian, representing Fitzsim-
mons, and w. A. Brady. acting for
Corbett met George Siler and Dan
Stuart in the latter's office this after
noon and took I'D the question OF rules.
Each clause Of Siler's Instructions were
taken up and worked over. The first
eleven rules Of Queensbery were pass
ed upon without a hitch. Rule twelve,
touching upon the London prize ring
regulations. brought Julian To a white
heat and he protested strongly. but in
effectually against Siler's Judgment,
which allowed hitting in clinches witt
a free hand and also on b~reakaways.
No man who has followed Fitzsim-
mons in many of his battles will admit
that this style Of fighting suits him.
asserted the stout manager. Bob is
essentially a puncher and not a wrest-
Ter. At long range he is invinCiblc, but
/ will not allow him to 60 in any mix
ed ale scrap if l can help it, | ought
this fight was to be the most scientific
ever fought. Now, why does Corbctt
want to mix matters up so?"
Julian found nobody ready to agree
with him. Brady came TO the scratch
at the outset and Informed all present
that Corbett would agree 10 anything
reasonable. Siler, he said, was not Cor
hot &c DrafaraNGa for "A ypTAran hnf linn
had faith in the gentleman's discretion
and honesty and would not squabble
over any ruling which was not down.
right unfair. When Julian realized
that he was alone in the controversy
he appealed to Dan Stuart for judg-
ment. agreeing to abide by anything
the Texan thought was right. Stuart
invited Siler into a private room, where
they conversed for n few minutes
Gentlemen" announce the pro-
moter. Mr.. JLlian has given us his
word that he will accept my decision in
this matter. / hope he knows me well
enough to believe that l would not
wrong FftZsimmons in any manner. |
am of the opinion that Mr.. Siler's in
depreciation of the rules is absolutely
impartial and gives neither OF the fight
ers the slightest advantage. Let II he
understood. then. that Corbett and
FitzSimmonS may hit with a free hand
during clinches and that they may also
bang away at each other during scpa-
ration. In short, Mr.. Siler'S instruc-
tions are to be followed To the letter.
/ trust this will satisfy you ALL"
Very well, them Julian rcioincd.
Let it so at that, | won't kick
Brady suggested a small bottle, and
the conference adjourned.
Mr.. Rector, who represented the Ed
ison kaleidoscope Company. got TO stu
arts ear today and concluded his bust
ness arrangements. The most delicate
and improved apparatus Tor repro
ducing motion on paper will be set up
in a box feet distant from the
ring side. 1t will project no higher
than the sides of the private boxes on
either hand and will not obstruct any
views from the rear. Stuart will re-
ceiVe a cash consideration from the
company and a percentage OF the re
ceipts from each exhibition. Neither
Corbett nor Fitzsimmons will figure in
the deal at all.
Three hours of fast work on the Dad
this morning left Corbatt with plenty OF
steam for this evenings work. The
was not touched but Jim
put in a few extra ticks with the gloves
after taking three straight games Of
ball from AL. Hampton. He was
closely watched by a number OF east
ern gentlemen who arrived on the early
train, and they all pronounced him bet
ter able to put up a fight than ever.
Many of them were FitZSimmOns' par
tisanS, but they wore long faces after
seeing Jim drive Woods around the
court and knocked him groggy, while
holding himself back. Cor
bett was not even breathing hard when
he turned in for his rub down. He
was a trifle ~ervouS, and frequently
warned his trainers to be careful about
running in OF him. Edgren rushed him
into q corner now and then during the
first round, and in fighting Jim let go
a few stiff ones. He warned Edgren
not to force matters too much, and
after the big hammer thrower had
taken an astronomical observation or
two he stood away at a respectful dis
tance.
The roads about Cooks ranch have
out beautifully, and Fitzsimmons
his bicycle this morning. He
wheeled fourteen miles before II o'clock
without a mishap, but his arms ap-
peared to be stiff when he put on the
gloves with Hickey. Dan was at his
best and Bob did not show UP any too
we'll in the bou Roeber limbered the
Australian up a bit, and Stenzler came
Clinch after clinch followed in the last
and each time Bob showed his
short range punching ability In a won
derful tanner. II, as Julian asserts,
he is a l~ong-range puncher, nobody
has been able to discover the fact. His
iSNiou VI 6CNthiS III oH u "'" Ia
totally different from Corbett's. In
stead OF swinging on his opponents
with a downward and half circular
like Jim, he slips up under the
guard with a swift and strong upper
cut on the chin.
An obliging friend of Dan Stuart in
San Diego has warned the director gen.
eral that his box-ofice Is 10 be looted
On the day Of the fight. According to
the southern Californian, an organized
OF robbers will station themselves
around the office, and when they think
money is in sight guns will be
whipped out and all hands stood w.
is not losing any sleep over the
plot. He was also informed that the
eastern pool rooms had conspired to
beat the fight by means Of outside in
which would reach them
ahead of the telegraphic bulletins.
George Siler and Stuart were formal
ly notified this evening that Jimmy COL
vile, Of Boston. would serve as Cor