The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-11-29
RESPONSIBILITY
WAS NOT FIXED
Inquiry Into Sharkey-Corbett Fake Re-
suited in Nothing.
M'VEYS PECULIAR ACTION
In Jumping Into the Ring Not Salts
laCtOFiy Explained.
REFEREE HONEST JOHN KELLY
Was Convinced That the Scheme Was
Pre-arranged, and for That Reas-
on He Stopped the Contest
and Declared Bets OFF.
REFEREE HONEST JOHN KELLY

New York, November 2S.-The inquiry in
stituted by the directors of the Lenox Ath-
letic club with the intention of fastening
the blame for the sudden termination of
the Sharkey-Cofbett contest last Tuesday
night, was held today. Both principals,
with their managers and handlers and the
referee. Honest John" Kelly were ex-
amined No conclusion was shown by the
statements made. Corbett was the last to
be questioned, and he emphatically stated
that he did not believe that McVey had
been bought by any person or persons. Il
believe in McVey's loyalty" said Corbett.
HE has been with me for years and would
not throw me down. After had returned
to my dressing room on Tuesday night,
McVey told my brother Tom that he could
not see the big fellow (meaning mel licked
and as he considered that l was being
licked, he jumped into the ring to save
me. believe in McVey, and am positive
that he was actuated by no other motive
in doing as he did last Tuesday night.
Corbett's statement was satisfactory Il
the inquirers and the matter dropped right
there. Tom ORourke, ON behalf of Shar-
key, promised to give Corbett another
chance at his man. Connie McVey who
caused all the disturbance by jumping into
the ring, was the only absentee.
Dry Dollar Sullivan
State Senator Timothy D. Sullivan, repre-
senting the Lenox Athletic club 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 COM
pany with Mccoy, he met two reprenta-
tives of local newspaper in the Astor
house. He told them that friend whose
name he was not at liberty to divulge had
informed him that the bout was to end in
the ninth round, and that Sharkey would
be declared the winner.
Senator Sullivan asked Gray to produce
his informer and promised to give $500 to
any charitable organization or institution
II Gray would bring his man and have him
repeat the assertion Gray left the building
nr.----isnis 10 try and get his friend to
reiterate the statement.
Honest John" Kelly, the referee. said.
up to the ninth round 1 thought 1t 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 McVey's action, 1 believed
then and am still of the opinion that Nc
Vey was mad by some person or persons
The reason l declared all bets off was to
protect the public, as it was clear to me
that MeVey's interfering was prearrang-
ed anair. cannot say who had McVey.
don't believe that he got into the ring
TO save Corbett from defeat"
George Considine, Corbett's manager. was
emphatic in his denial of any knowledge of
4 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 dra-
matfcally: Il would kill any one if neces-
sary to prevent such an infringement of
the rules
Sharkey in the Lead
Tom O'Rourke Sharkey's manaper
thought Sharkey had undoubtedly the bet
ter of the fighting. In fact, Sharkey was
the only one in it. "All am sorry for
he said, lis that the contest ended as it
did, but such a thing cannot occur at the
club again, as new rule has been made
In case any man attempts to enter the ring
in the future he will be promptly arrested
and the figh. VII be continued and dec,cca
on it's merits.
O'Rourke dersed all knowledge of nnv
kilograms or documentary evidence which
would tend to show collision and stated
that the amount of money which Sharley
received was $16,S45 while Corbett's share
was $6,S45. These sums were made up of
So and % per cent. of 800, 900 purse and 50
per cent. of the receipts exceeding $40 o0).
Sharkey on his own behalf stated that
the fight was on the level. He went into
the ring to win and was convinced that he
would have knocked Corbett out in anoth.r
md hnA f1a Aol,f
Jim Corbett. the last witness, said
II won't believe McVey was bought He
has been with me for many years. 1 have
supported him and he has eaten my bread
and butter. After we returned to my
dressing room on Tuesday night McVev
said to my brother Tom: 4 could not
see the big fellow licked and I got into the
ring. That is all there was to it. had
the Letter of the fight from the second
round"
SharAey interrupted Corbett, saying:
"Why, you did not have dead mans
chance"
Neither Ever Faxed
Corbett replied: 81 never faxed in my
life"
Neither did l." retorted Sharkey.
Both men then assumed menacing atti-
tudes, and 1t looked for a moment as IL
there would be brawl but Senator Sulli-
van who stood between, requested them to
keep quiet, and Corbett continued:
you're too ignorant to understand when
a compliment Is paid you, Sharkey, but I'm
Gentleman Jim and always will be-"
Corbett then went on to say that Mcvey
was impelled only by honest motives in
doing what he did, and that no man could
make him believe otherwise.
Senator Sullivan then reviewed the evil
dence and said:
at seems that Mcvey thought Corbett
was being beaten and jumped into the ring
to save him. No evidence to the contrary
Is forthcoming, and the club directors have |
done all they could to set the matter right |
In the eyes of the public. AS to the bets, |
we have nothing further to do with them"