The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-24
Pleasant Words Only for "HOnest
John" Kelly, Who Declared All Bets
on ON the Alleged Fake Match.
TALK WITH THE EX-CHAMPION
WHO WARMLY RESENTS INSINUA-
TIONs OF "CROOkEDNESS,'
But Makes No Explanation of Three
Suspicious kilograms That Were
Sent to Western BcttOrs.

morrow will print the following: I'm the
rage vented yesterday by devotees of sport
there were few pleasant words, and those
were all for Honest john Kelly who.
voicing the public belief that James j. Cor
bett lost to Thomas Sharkey by a prear-
ranged foul, declared all bets off. But KEEL
ly could not give back or order restored the
SAT- S76 that was paid into the pockets of the
men who managed the LenoX Athletic Club
Tuesday night, hence the expressed regrets
because of McVeys untimely interference
1t is now known that men in New YORK
who had been betting their money on Cor
bett sent three kilograms westward. One
went to Seattle, Wash, another was sent
to San Francisco and the third to Portland
Ore. Each telegram was to a supporter of
Corbett and read: Arrangements changed.
Hedge your money Thousands and thou
sands of dollars were sent to Western cities
to be placed on Sharkey.
Corbett was seen al his home last night.
He did not look as if he had been in a bat
tie with one of the heaviest men in the pugi
listic world, as there was not a mark on
him. Really, 1 hardly know what to say
about this affair."" he remarked. mo one is
so depressed as 1 am at the action of Nc
Vey which lost me the fight. I have been
half daffy ever since Kelly gave the decision
against me. Cold chills have been running
up and down my back at the thought that
/ had the fight won and then lost in such
manner Luck has been all against me of
late, but it is bound to change"
But, Jim, many think you yourself was
the one of those in the job and bet on Shar-
key" was remarked.
Never in my life have / been accused
of utter ignorance" he answered. "Peo-
pie generally, believe. have given me some
credit for possessing some intelligence Now,
with a spark of intelligence in my brain
do you think 1 would have so bungled af-
fairs in such a way? 1 think the mere fact
that the action of McVey appeared so pal
pable is evidence that 1 was not at the
bottom of it. In the first place. if /
wanted to be crooked, would never think
of doing so unless / had fixed the referee.
If there was anything wrong, do you think
l would have rushed over to Kelly to
tell him to declare all bets off? In fact,
the first one to yell to Kelly to make such
decision was George Considine. If we had
been in any skin deal and had bet ON
Sharkey. do you think that we would have
wanted all bets declared OFF,
do you think McVey sold you out?
II can't believe that he did We have
been too close in our relations. If there had
would certainly have seen some change In
him while we were training. / don't say
tnat ne Gl9 not sen me out DuL can
lave been most liberal with him"
1T is alleged that your ,protestations to
Kelly and your efforts to hit McVey were
forced in view of the fact that you have
such a nervous, eXcitabe disposition, which,
if yCu had really meant what you did,
would have resulted in your aiming blows
at McVey."
Il conducted myself coolly all through
the rumpus. | did not lose my temper. L
came very near hitting McVey, but re-
strained myself 1 realized that it might
do no good after the harm had been done
] can't see how McNey could have lost his
head. but something was the matter any
way. If he had been bought to throw me
he evidently realized that the time had come
for action. for another stiff blow would have
defeated Sharkey. The fight ended so mys-
teriOusly that really | am in a trance. l
would be ashamed to tell some people what
| do think. If some cry fake l can't help
it, The crowd can best Judge as to that /
never fought better in my life than this
time against Sharkey. Kelly had no right
and used good judgment. but he acted only
after my entreaty TO save my friends their
money 1t seems queer; however. that he
could not have told McVey TO keep out as
the latter was not interfering with us and
nowhere near us. When Kelly said: You
lose I thought he meant that Sharkey had
lost"
There was much talk to-day as to wheth-
err or not Honest John" Kelly had
all bets off. those who bet on Sharkey feel
ing that they should have received their
reward, but the general feeling among the
public was that while it might have been
a technical usurpation on Kelly's part, he
probably did 1t in desire to protect the
public and that. from that point of view
he was right. Many of those who support
boxing contests were much disturbed as
to the probable effect Oh the attendance
at future fights here and the opinion
was freely expressed that 1t had put a
daInper on the sport for some time to come.
McVey. whose entrance into the ring
caused the decision last night, was asked
TO-DAY If he cared TO make any statement
REGARDING his mart in the affair He said:
.COrhett was fouled early i'm the fight by
Sharkey ard / wished to call the referees
attopfion TO the continued fouls. | aD-
preached The rGpes for that purpose and
succeeded in attracting Kelly's attention"
McVey refused TO answer any questions as
10 whether or not he knew that It was