Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-24
CoRpETT ON THE PRIzE-FIGHT
He Ayers That He Had No Part In
Alleged "p'unny Business"

NEW YORK. November 23.-The Herald
tomorrow will print the following:
In the rage vented yesterday by de-
votees OF sport there were a few pleasant
words. and these were all for Honest
John Kelly. who voicing the public be-
lief that James J. Corbett lost TO Thomas
Sharkev by a prearranged foul, declared
an bets or But Kelly could not give
back or order restored the $G,Sl6 that was
paid into the pockets Of the men VINO
managed the Lenox Athletic Club Tues
dav night. hence the expressed regrets
because Of McVey's untimeiy interference.
1t Is now known that men in New York
who had been betting their money on
Corbett sent three kilograms westward.
one went 10 Seattle. Wash; another was
sent 10 san Francisco. and the third 10
Portland. ore Each telegram was TO a
supporter Of Corbett. and read: Arrange
nents changed. Hedge your money.
Thousands and thousands of dollars were
sent 10 western cities TO be placed on
Sharkey.
"Corbett was seen at his home last
night. He did not look as il he had been
i'm bad condition in q battle with one OF
the heavlest-hitting pugilists IN the
world. and there was not a mark on him
Really. l have nothing TO say about the
affair ne remarked. NO one is so de-
pressed as / am at the action of McNey.
which lost me the fight. ! have been
half daffy ever since Kelly gave the de-
cision against me Cold chilis have been
running up and down my back at the
thought that had the fight won and then
lost il in such a manner Luck, wnich
has been against me OF late, had begun
10 change.
DID JIM BET on sHARKEY?
.eBut. Jim. you yourself were one OF
those in the job, and bet on Sharkey''
was remarked.
..Ncver i'm my life have I been accused
Of utter ignorance" he answered "Peo-
pIe generally. I believe. have given me
some credit for possessing some intelii-
eence Now. with a spark of Intelligence
i'm my brain. do YOU think 7 would have
buueled affairs in such a way2 l think
the mere fact that the action OF McNey
appeared so palpable is evidence that i
was not al the bottom of it, In the nfst
place if wanted 20 be crooked. l would
never think Of doing so unless / had
fixed the referee.
If there was anything wrong, do you
think l would have rushed over 10 Kelly
and told him TO declare all bets OF. In
f.- the first or.e 10 yell 10 Kelly 70
make such a decision was George Consi-
dine. II We had been in any skin deal
and had bet On Sharkey. DO you think
that We would have wanted all bets 0e-
clared ono
DO YOU think McVey sold YOU out?''
81 can't believe that he did We have
been too close in our relations. II there
had been any funny business on his part
] would certainly have seen some change
I'M him while We We're training. l don I
saw that he did not sell me out. but l
can't bring myself 10 believe that he Gle,
for I have been most liberal with him.
CHARGE on NVEY FORCED.
ct is alleged that your protestatons 10
Kelly and your efforts 20 hit McNey were
forced. in view OF the fact that you have
such a nervous. eXcitable disposition,
which. II YOU had really meant what you
did would have resulted TN your aiming
. blows an McNey.'
Il conducted myself c00lly all through
the rumpus I did not lose my temper. j
came very near hitting McNey. but re-
strained myself. as / realized mat IL
might do no good after the harm mao oeeh
done. / can't see how McNey could have
lost his head. Something was the matter
ANYWAY. III he had been bought 70 t1row
me. he evidently realized that the time
had come FOR action. for anolner stu
blow would have defeated Sharkey.
"The fight ended so mys'eriousiy that
really J am In a trance. ! would b
ashamed 90 tell some people wAat 90
think. II some cry fake. l cent help II.
Tho crowd can best jude as 70 thai'
/ never fought better In my lie than lhiS
time against Sharkey.
"KeiIv hai no right 10 declare bets CT,
t,t be did the right thing. and used sood
Judgment. He acted only after ny en-
f~estv. 10 save my friends their money.
II seems queer. however. that ne eould
-o- bava told NIcVey 90 keep CO. as The
latter was not interfering with US ana
vs. nowhere near Us. When Kelly salo'
You lose 1 thought he mean, Jhat Sh"F-
KEY had lost