The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-29
WHITEWASH is APPLIED
RESULT OF THE INQUIRY INTO THE
CORBETOT-SHARKE FIGHT.
"GentIeman Jim" Says There Was No
crates McVey-Sharkey GrOwls.

NEW YORK, Nov. 2S.-James J. Corbett
declared to-day that he believed Connie Nc
Vcy innocent of any intentional or prear-
ranged wrong doing when he entered the
ring during the ninth round of the Sharkey-
Corbett contest last Tuesday night at the
LennoX Athletic Club and consequently for
feted the contest to Sharkey. This state
ment on CorbettS part was made at the
close of the inquiry which was instituted
by the directors of the Lennox Athletic Club
to fix the responsibility for McVey's actions.
The inquiry or investigation took place in
the presence of a large number Of sporting
men, the principals with their handlers and
the club officials being present. The only
absentee was McVey, whose invasion of the
ring caused all the trouble 1t was said that
McVey had left the city, but his where
abouts could not be ascertained State Sem
ator Timothy d. Sullivan representing the
Lenox Athletic Club, acted as chief inquisi-
tor and invited any and all of those present
to ask whatever questions they pleased Of
the witnesses.
W. b. Gray, Kid McCoy's manager, was
the first witness He said that six or seven
days before the fight, while in company
with Mccoy, he met two representatives of
d local newspaper in the Astor House. He
told them that friend of his, whose name
he was not at liberty to divulge, had in
formed him that the bout was to end in the
ninth round and that Sharkey would be de-
clared the winner. Senator Sullivan asked
Gray to produce his informer and promised
to give $500 TO any charitable organization
or institution If Gray would bring his man
and have him repeat the assertion. Gray
left the building, promising to try and get
his friend to reiterate the statement.
Honest John Kelly the referee, said "Up
to the ninth round thought it was an even
thing, and firmly believe that there was
no taking on the part of the principals, who
were fighting to the best of their ability
AS to McVeys actions l believed then and
am still of the opinion that McVey was had
by some person or persons. The reason that
1 declared all bets off was to protect the
public, as it was clear TO me that McVey's
interference was q prearranged affair /
cannot say who Tad McVey | don't be-
lieve that he got into the ring to save Cor
bett from defeat; Before the master Of
all bets off John Considine called to me to
declare all bets off, but | told him that had
instructed Harvey TO announce that fact
three or four minutes before that time"
Announcer Charles j. Harvey stated that
Kelly told him TO announce that Sharkey
had won, and after little delay he re-
quested him TO add that all bets were Off
George Considine, Corbetts manager, was
emphatic in his denial of any knowledge of
put-up job.
Charley White, Corbett's trainer, said he
knew nothing of any deal or job and no
man in the world could get him to be a
party to any crooked work. He knew moth
ing Of McVey's intentions until Connie had
jumped into the ring and declared dram
atically: II would kill any one If necessary
to prevent such an infringement of the
rules"
Tom O'Rourke, sharkey's manager.
thought Sharkey had undoubtedly the better
of the fight. In fact Sharkey was the only
one in it "All ! am sorry for" he said,