The times., 1898-11-29
CORBEHT- -SHARKHY FIASC0
An Investigation Held iii
New York Yesterday.
PUGS EXCHANGE LANGUAGE
Finally Agree to Fight Another
.RattIe''-Former Sailor Interrupts
Quondam ActOr's Grafton With
Various Observations, Theological
and Ofher,yise-John Kelly Insists
That Somebody Had McNes.'

emnity of an International commission,
State Senator Timothy d. Sullivan, the
other officials of the Lenox Athletic Club.
and Mr.. Thomas Sharkey and Mr.. James
J. Corbett whose exhibition of handiwork
at that club last Tuesday night resulted
in notable fiasco. got together in the
Police Gazette Office this afternoon for
the purpose of holding an investigation oil
the contest.
Contest is the word, for Senator Sui
livan. who presided, avoided the word
fight (see boxing law like a pestiience'
One thing, and one only, was well estap-
lished by the proceedings-that Coroett
was believed by his own seconds to be a
beaten man. and McVey jumped into the
ring to save him from a Knockout.
The investigation might just as well
have been omitted so far as any new re-
suits go. Ii did, however. give to Cor
bett chance to make an Grafton, and to
sharkey an opportunity to defy Corbett,
and another chance TO Corbett TO pant
publicly for Sharkey's blood. and all con-
cerned received the privilege to make
speeches as fierce as they were frequent.
O'Rourke. manager of Sharkey, prom
ised Corbett another contest
Corbett had the floor and had just made
his Grafton, defending McVey against the
suspicion that he was bought. rouhu
of applause at the manliness of has de-
fense of McVey had inspired him to iur-
ther oratory when Sharkey said stolidly:
II. SharI<ey's Caustic Comment
..Oh. YOU didn't have a dead mans
chance"
Corbett shrieked: 'say, you're stiff,
You don't know what manners are. Didn't
1 pay you a compliment, and you didn't
know enough TO say anything decent
back to me?''
..Ah, w otche givin' u.s. said Sharkey.
Listen to him." continued Corbett.
.'Didn'tI give him a square show Didn
l make a manly speech? Wasn't 1t all
right? ] tell you, by - I'm Gentleman
Jim (llis voice rose TO a perfect scream),
ihat'swhat am-Gentleman Jim, by =,
and I'll be it to the end.
II. sharkey on Theology
"Aw. what the HE'LL said Sharkey,
much puzzled.
why. you stiff, you lobster, you fake y
shouted 'Corbett, give me another
Chance
..Aw-right.'' said sharkey, his face
brightening, for this he could understand.
.'Tii lick you again, but I ain'tno fake
You are. too. How about?
Yer a liar. In Frisco l licked you"
You re a - liar.
Mr.. sullivan on Parliamentnry Law.
Here! here!'' shouted Senator Sullivan,
jumping up. Shut up, or IN lick you
both
This ended the one feature of the in
vestieation.'' OF the impromptu nature of
which there was no doubt. Then Shark
ey's manager promised Corbett another
contest" and Corbett assured the pub
lie thai he would be on hand.
Into a room which would hold thirty
Iersons with some degree OF comfort, more
tnar,-rthree times that number crawled.
when at O'Clock proceedings began.
The proceedings began with Senator Sui
liVan at the head of the table, Corbett be.
ing al his right and Sharkey at his left.
Others present were Honest John kel-
ly. who refereed the contest; Tom
O'Rourke matchmaker of the club. and
also Sharkeys manager; William r. Gray,
McCoys manager; George Considine, Cor
belts manager: Charley White, one of
Corbett's seconds; Charles Harvey, the
announcer; Bob Armstrong, Sharkey' 5
sparring partner. but not Jim McVey.
whose foul brought the fight to an end.
The sports exchanged significant looks
when II was found that the most impor-
tant witness of the day was not there.
The "Investigntion" Begins.
Senator Sullivan opened the ball in n
short speech. in which he said that he
would conduct the investigation ano
would answer questions, as well as ask
them. He then called William r. Gray.
who was there because of his statement
made after the fight that he knew Shar-
key was 10 win on a foul in the ninth
round.
Asked if the statement were true, he
said:
"All l know is that six or seven days
before the fight a man told me in n
private talk that it was all arranged and
that Sharkey would win in the ninth.
All the statements that said Corbett or
Sharkey or the Lenox Club were in any
fraudulent game are untrue"
Gray refused to tell his informant s
name and finally Sullivan said:
Mr.. suIIivan's Offer.
I'm give $500 TO any charitable institu-
tion the day that man will come forward
and testify"
He then called on Referee Kelly. who
said that the men were fighting to win.
Did anybody ask you to declare bets
OFF," Senator Sullivan asked
John Considine did, but not till after
J had done it," replied Kelly Il did not
say IL was prearranged plan between
the fighters. as some of the papers
quoted me-"
DO you think Mcyey was put up to
what he did?"
-"somebody Had Mcyey.'
Somebody had Mcvey. There was nc
occasion or excuse for his getting into the
ring
McVey was then called for. but he was
not present.
Denny Sullivan, a sporting man who sat
in box near Corbett's corner during the
fight, testified that two men ahead of him
said when the ninth round came: Now
Corbett's getting licked and the iightll be
stopped" He could not tell who the mer
were.
George Considine the next witness. said
that he knew of no scheme, and that the
fight was on the level.
What did you think of McVeys ac-
tion?"
II was paralyzed When he first jumped
into the ring / tried to help Chief Devery
pull him out, but Devery pushed me aside
and threw him out himself
This brought out Senator Sullivan with
Mcyey's CGnsnche Roar.
Yes and for fear the referee wouldp'
see ne was in the ring, McVey let a roal
out of him like Comanche Indian"
Tom oRourke said the contest was th'
best he had ever seen between big men
He had bet only $50, he further said an,
that on Sharkey. As his remark that h
thought Corbett had the worst of i
''Pompadour- Jim" grinned. o'Rourke':
testimony being concluded. Sharkey wa.