The herald., 1897-04-22
Because Fitz Ignored His
Challenge
HE WON'T DO A TING TO HIM
HE ISN'T A BLowHARD, SAME
AS THE FREAK
Billy Vernon Lies at the Point OF
Death--Pierce Facing a Charge
of Murder
Associated Press Special wire.

Associated RreSS Specidl Wlfe.
BOSTON, April 21.-Hon. John L.
Sullivan is much disturbed by the man.
ner in which Champion Fitzsimmons
disposed Of his challenge The big fel-
low, who is playing in Louisville, Ky,
has written letter to his backer ana
manager, Frank v. Dunn of this city,
in which he says: my challenge 10
FitEsimmons is meant and goes on rec
ord. 1t is no advertising scheme on
my part, but a purely business propo-
sition. The money posted proves faith
fulness on my part and is evidence of
confidence on my part that can beat
him to a dead certainty.
"I want the public TO know that
never laid down or quit n my life,
which is more than Fitzsimmons can
saw. All his talk to the public about
his not paying any attention to me does
not go. 1 will make him pay some at
tention to me, and Julian as well.
s'I will fight or box him, and will BET
that make him jump the ring. mean
every word that I say, and the public
we'll know that 1 am no blowhard, the
same as the freak I can beat hfm at
any stage of the game. l Will show
him up in his true light and prove that
l am his superior. mentally and physi-
cally. This is no exhibition of egotism."
ANOTHER CANDIDATE
SAN FRANCISCO. April 21.-Parson
Davies is red-hot after Bob Fitzsim-
mons for a match with Choynski and has
sent AL Smith forfeit of $1,000, with the
following challenge:
SAN FRANCISCO, April 21, 1897.
AL Smith, Gilsey House, New York
Dear Sir: Having read a number Of ar
ticles in the daily papers to the effect
that Robert Fitzsimmone, the champion
heavyweight of the world, has recon-
sidered his decision Of retiring from the
prize ring, the article also stating that
he would not box James j. Corbett again,
but would contest with any other worthy
aspirant for championship hclors, I
therefore inclose you $1,000 in support of
the following challenge:
1 will match Joe Choyneki against
Robert Fitzsimmons for $4,000 side and
the heavy weight championship of the
world, the match to be under Queens
bury rules, and to finish before the club
offering the largest purse.
l shall be pleased to me eft the champion
or his representative in New York City
about May s. and if he will notify you,
/ will meet him at any time and place
he may name. 1 will then be prepared
to sign articles and make a further de-
post. Trusting this will receive an early
reply, 1 am, yours truly.
(Signed) CHARLES E. DAVIES.
vERNON's CONDITION
PHILADELPHIA, April 21.-Billy
Vernon, the Haverstraw lightweight
who collapsed in the fourteenth round
of a bout with Leslie Pierce of Camden,
N. j., at the Olympic Athletic club at
Athens, Pa, last night, remains in
critical condition at the Presbyterian
hospital, this city, and his death may
occur at any mSment The physicians
cannot say that whether his condition
is a result of injuries received during
the fight or from natural causes. The
only mark on his body Is slight bruise
over the heart, and there are conflict
ing statements as to whether Vernon
was felied by blow from his antago-
mist.
Pierce and nine other participants in
the affair were arrested. and the former
was sent to Jail az Dedia tonight on
charge of assault ard battery.
The justice refused BAIL IN the event
of death Pierce will be charged with
murder. Among the others arrested
are Paul Dimond of Amsterdam, N. Y,
Vernon's second; Robert Dealy, mana
ger Of the olympic club and the time
keepers, referee and other officials They
were admitted to ball for hearing on
Monday, when Pierce will also be
l,ronNht In