The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-12
FEARED DEFEAT,
Letter Said to Have
Been Written by
FitzsilnnOns.
HANDWRITING ON TIE WALL.
Elk Champion Offers $4,000
If Document Is Pro-
duced.
HANDWRITING ON TIE WALL.

Cincinnati, o., June 11.-Leonard
Shilly. an attache of the sheriff S Of
flee, a personal friend of Bob Fitzsim-
mons, some days ago received the fol-
lowing letter from the prize fighter. 1t
shows plainly that Fitzsimmons feared
defeat at the hands of Jeffries, and had
evidently warned all his friends against
placing too much cash on the outcome
of the battle of Friday night:
New York, May 81.
MIR. Leonard Shilly:
Dear Sir-Knowing you to have been
an ardent admirer of mine in the past,
thinking that you probably will have
confidence in my ability as a pugilist,
l write to you as I am doing to all my
close friends, in order that their faith
in me be not abused. You, no doubt,
are well aware of the fact that I am
getting along in years and have for a
long time been living a life OF ease
and quiet, and, as the saying is, have
not kept up with the times.
MY opponent, Mr.. Jeffries, ! must
admit, is without peer in our profess
sion today, and ! would consider it no
disgrace to meet defeat at his hands.
He has youth science, strength ard
courage, and in my opinion, ehould
have no trouble to defend the title
SHOULD he gain it, from any mar of
the present time You must undeF
stand that I say this confdenually and
would of course not make public a
statement of this kind, and 1 further
am sure that you would not make use
of this, unless it be for your individual
benefit My object in writing this letter
is: You may be a betting man, and
like a great many more, may have
stubborn idea that / am inVinchle. If
such be the case, you might bet reck
lessly. / would advise you to be care
full and not bet on general results. L
will certainly do my best, and hope to
gain the victory. l feel safe in saying
that 1 will remain five or ten rounds,
and if my usual good luck does not de-
sert me, 1 will certainly win the fight.
Hoping that you will appreciate my let
ter of caution, l remain your sincere
friend,
Robert Fitzsimmons.
New York. June II. - Bob Fitzsim-
mons, in company with his wife and
Martin Julian, attended a ball game at
the West End Field Club, Jersey city,
this afternoon. Fitzsimmons acted as
one OIL IIle TWO ulIlDll Co anu ebANCA SA-N
game he and Julian denied the asser-
lions made by Leonard Shilly.
81 never wrote such a letter., said
Fitzsimmons. 81 don't know Shilly.
Since 1 went into training some weeks
ago [ only wrote one letter, and that
was to DIR. Kelly, a dentist of Peoria,
Ill, but I made no mention of my
chances of victory or defeat. l tell you
what I'll do" continued Fitzsimmons,
AZ r-I.a %1,o
never wrote such a. letter to Leonard
Shilly or any other person, I'll give $500
to the person who will produce such
document
Mrs Fitzsimmons,. who was present,
said that she was positive that her hus-
band had never written such letter.
Bob was more than confident of sue
cess, and all those who saw the fight
must certainly agree with me in saying
that he did his utmost to retain the
championship. He had no doubts as to
his ability to defeat Jeffries, and, al
though he was beaten, / am not quite
satisfied that he cannot reverse the or
der of things. It is just possible that
Bob may try conclusions with Jeffries
again, but I cannot speak positively on
the matter. as that remains within the
jurisdiction of Mr.. Julian and my hus-
band"
oeNti al / uliloi > al III I'll Nuie't IN ttit"'
Jeffries has offered to spar with bftz
simmons at a benefit for the latter, but
Manager Julian said tonight that JEFF
fries and his manager, instead Of Civ
ing a benefit the proceeds of Which
would go to Fitzsmmons. had made a
proviso that they should receive so per
cent of the receipts When this propo-
sition was made to Fitzsimmons he and
his manager declined to have anything
to do with it, and stated that when
Fitzsimmons gave a benefit for Jack
Dempsey after he had defeated Demp
sey, Dempsey received all the receipts.