The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-29
MR.. M'VEY WAS MISSING
FARCICAL ALLEGED INQUIRY INTO
THE CoRBETT-SHARKE
FIGHT FAKE
NOTHING WAS DEvEL 0PED


Sharkey SnarIed at Each Other.
NEW YORK, Nov. 2S-James ]. Cor
bett declared today that he believed
Connie McVey innocent of any inten-
tional or prearranged wrongdoing
when he entered the ring during the
ninth round of the Sharkey -Cerbett
contest last Tuesday night at the
LenoX Athletic club, and consequently
forfeited the contest TO Sharkey. This
statement on Corbett's part was made
at the close of the inquiry which was
Instituted by the directors Of the LenoX
Athletic club to fix the responsibility
for McVey's action. The inquiry, or
investigation, took place in the pres
ence of large number of sporting
men. the principals, with their hand
lers. and the club officials being pres
ent. The only absentee was McVey,
whose invasion of the ring caused all
the trouble. It was said that McVey
had left the city, but his whereabouts
could not be ascertained.
State Senator Timothy D. Sullivan,
representing the Lenox Athletic club,
acted as chief inquisitor and 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 company with Mccoy, he met two
representatives of a local newspaper in
the Astor hotel He told them that a
friend Of his, 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 de-
clared the winner.
Senator Sullivan asked Gray to pro-
duce his infcrmer and promised to give
$500 to any charitable organization or
institution if Gray would bring his man
and have him repeat the assertion.
Gray left the building promising to try
and get his friend 10 reiterate the
statement.
THINKS McVEY WAS HAD"
Honest John Kelly, the referee, said:
up to the ninth round I thought it
was an even thing. and L firmly believe
that there was no taking on the part
Of the principals. who were fighting to
the best Of their ability. AS to Nc
Vey's actions I believed then and am
still Of the opinion that McVey was
had" by some person or persons. The
reason that / declared all bets off was
to protect the public. as it was dAear
to me that Moneys interfering was q
prearranged affair. I cannot say who
had McVey I don't believe he got
into the ring to save Corbett from de-
feat. Before the master Of ceremonies.
Charles ]. Harvey, announced all bets
OFF, John Considine called to me to de-
clare all bets off, but I told him that
1 had instructed Harvey to announce
that fact three or four minutes before
that time"
Announcer Charles J. Harvey stated
Sharkey had won and. after a little
delay, he requested him to add that
all bets were off.
George Considine, Corbett's manager
was emphatic in his denial of any
knowledge Of a put up job.
Charley White Corbetts trainer, said
he knew nothing of any deal or jon,
and no man in the world could get
him to be party to any crooked work.
He knew nothing of McVey's inten-
tons until Connie had jumped into the
ring and declared dramatically: II
would kill any one, II necessary, to
prevent such an infringement Of the
rules"
Tom O'Rourke. Shari1ey's manager,
thought Sharkey had undoubtedly the
better of the fight. In fact. Sharkey
was the only one in 1t. AN 1 am sorry
for" he said, sis that the contest end
ed as 1t did. but such a thing cannot
occur at the club again. as a new rule
has been made. In case any man at
tempts to enter the ring in the future,
he viii be promDtly arrested. and the
fight viii be Continued and decided on
its merits"
O'Rourke denied al knowledge cf any
kilograms or documentary evidence
which would tend to show collision.
and stated that the amount of money
which Sharkey received was $16S45,
While Corbett's share was Sc. S45. Those
sums were made I'D of So and 25 per
cent of q $4,000 purse and so per cent
OF the receipts exceeding $40 900.
SNARLED AT EACH OTHER.
While O'Rourke was making his
statement Corbett and Sharkey growl-
ed and snarled at each other, but they
desisted when requested by Senate
Sullivan.
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
out Corbett in another round, had the
fight gone on.
Jim Corbett, the last witness said:
81 won't believe McVey was bought.
He has been with me for many years.
l have supported him, and he has eaten
my bread and butter. After we re-
tired to my dressing room, on Tuesday
night. McVey said to my brother Tom:
I could not see the big fellow licked.
and l got into the ring. That is all
there was to it I had the better OF
the fight from the second round"
Sharkey interrupted Corbett, saving:
why, you did not have a dead mans
chance"
Corbett replied: 81 never faxed in
my life
Neither did l." retorted Shsrkey.
Both men then assumed menacing
| attitudes. and it looked for a moment
as If there would be brawl but SEN
ator Sullivan. who stood between them.
requested them to keep quiet, and Cor
be It continued.
You're too ignorant to understand
when q compliment Is paid you. Shar-
key, but I'm Gentleman jim and al
ways 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 other
wise.
ENDED IN SMOKE.
Senator Sullivan reviewed the evt-
dence and said: 1T seems that McVey
| thought Corbett was being beaten and
| jumped into the ring to save him No
evidence TO the contrary is forthcom-
| ing. and the club directors have done
all that they could do to set the mer-
| ter right In the eyes Of the public. As
| TO the bets we have nothing further to
| do with them
This ended the inquiry. so far as the
club was concerned.
After it was over Corbett declared
that Sharkey should give him another
| fight, and O'Rourke promised to give
. Ca1f 80, ra,o