The herald., 1898-11-29
HONEST JOHN INSISTS
THAT CONNIE M'VEY WAS PAID
FOR HIS ACTION
CORBETT WON'T BELIEVE IT
Connie Himself Frudently Goes Into
Hiding-Corbett and Sharkey
Will Fight Another Day
Associated Press Special Wire

NEW YORK. Nov. 2S.-James j. Corbett
decl,red today that he believed Connie Nc
Yev innocent of any intentional or pre-
arranged wrongdding when he entered the
ring during the ninth round OF the Sharkey-
Corbett contest last Tuesday night, ana
consequently forfeited the contest 10
Sharkey.
This statement on Corbett's part was
made at the close of the inquiry which was
instituted by the directors OF the LenoN
Athletic club to fix the responsibility for
McNey's action. The inquiry, or lnvesti
cation, took place in the presence CT large
number OF sporting men, the principals with
their handlers and the club officials being
present. The only absentee was McNey,
whose invasion of the ring caused all the
trouble. 1t was said that MoNey had left
fine CITY. but his whereabouts could not be
ascertained.
State Senator Timothy D. Sullivan, rep
resenting the Lenox Athletic club, acted as
chief inuuistor and invited any and all 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 a
local newspaper in the Astor house. He
told them that friend OF his, whose name
he was not at liberty to disclose, had in
formed 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 institution If Gray would
bring his man and have him repeat the as
sertion. Gray left the building, promising
to try and get his friend to reterate 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 abili
ty. Al to McVey's actions, believed then
and am still of the opinion that AIcVey was
| had by some person or persons. The rea-
son | declared all bets off was to protect
the public, as it was clear to me that Me
Vey's interfering was prearranged plan.
| 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 put-up job.
Charley White, Corbett's trainer, said he
knew nothing Of any deal or job, and that
no man in the world could get him to be a
party to any crooked work He knew moth.
ing Of McNey's intentions until Connie had
jumped into the ring and declared dramati.
cally, Il would kill anyone if necessary to
prevent such an infraction Of the rules"
Tom O'Rourke, Sharkey's manager,
thought Sharkey had undoubtedly the best
of the fight. In fact, Sharkey was the only
one in it.
"All l am sorry for" he said, sis that the
contest ended as it did, but such thing
cannot occur at the club again, as a new rule
has been made. In case any man attempts
TO enter the ring in the future he will be
promptly arrested and the fight will be con.
tinued and decided on its merits"
| ORourke denied all knowledge Of anv
telegram or documentary evidence which
would tend to show collusion, and stated
that the amount of mony which Sharkey
received was sl6,S45, while Corbett's share
was $6,S45. Those sums were made UP OF
SO and % per cent of $4,000 purse and 5(
per cent OF the receipts exceeding $4,000.
| While O'Rourke was making his state