The St. Louis Republic., 1900-12-30
,RETIRED FROM RING
At WIFE'S REQUEST.
Mrs. Fitzsimmons Says She only
Had to Ask. and
Bob Quit.
SHE is VERY PROUD OF HIM.
Declares His Victories Always
Gave Her Supreme Delight,
and That, To Her. He
Is The Man.
SHE is VERY PROUD OF HIM
BY MRS. ROBERT FITzsIMMoNs,

BY MRS. ROBERT F'TTZSIMMONS-
fEPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York. Dec. e9.-"Althoush my nus
band, Robert Fitzsimmons. has often ana
publicly announced that he Will not again
enter the prize ring there are those who
doubt him, or who pretend to doubt him.
~ wish every one 20 understand. both MS
friends and his enemies-hc would not be
the man he is if he had no enemiaS-that
ne has left the prize ring forever. because
wished him TO.
He is the kindest and best Of husbands
and fathers.
II was enough for me to tell him he
would make me very happy. that he would
enhance the future welfare and happiness
OF our children. II he would stop hshtins-
Robert stopped fighting.
Naturally, il cost me some pancs to
make this demand of my husband. Every
woman will understand-for every WCman
worthy Of the name admires manly courage
and strength-that II WAS a delight TO me
10 welcome Robert when he returned 10
me after beating down. annihilating. his
opponent In the ring.
Robert. to me. is the embodiment OF all
that is manly.
He is The Man to me.
SO / have always been very proud to
embrace him and congratulate HIM after
For Robert fights with his head: his
fists are his thoughts: his mind inpresses
itself on the puny heads Of his antagonists
Besides in asking Robert to withdraw
from the ring which he has honored. have
made other sacrifices. Robert earned a
great deal of money in the Ting-but money
cannot buy happiness.
When I asked Robert to put aside HIS
more strenuous life l knew that force. di-
rected by the stronger brain. has done most
to advance civilization. l have read much
history al l.
truth
would have been queen Of the tournament.
as / am now. For Robert, then as now,
would have been victor.
But greater than strength is self-control,
and that My husband has. These so-ca.ied
fighters. who know he has made up his
great mind to quit pugiiism. but who may
not know he has done SO to please me. pre-
They will not succeed. He may have been
tempted to "call their bluffs" as he strong
ly Expresses IT, But for my sake. and the
children's. he the best fighter with natures
weapons on earth, controls himself.
He will do as | wish.
In future Robert will devote himself to
the drama, where his Influence will be en-
tirely for good.
The press. the stage the pulpit.
You see. place the three great influences
ior good in the order of the size of their
audiences.
Newspapers talk to hundreds of thous-
ands. and. therefore ] take this means to
let the people know that Robert will fight
no more
Theaters hold more people than churches.
] am glad TO say that Robert has Rad very
good audiences. He deserves them His
play, "The Honest Blacksmith" teaches Il
good lesson and points a good moral.
IL shows to every young man the ad-
vantage of having trade. Robert makes
q real horseshoe on the stage.
II he were not the most wonderful fighter
and good actor he would be the best
blacksmith In the world. He learned the
trade when he was young.
1 would rather see him at the forge than
IN the ring
- The play points good moral because
M0uainy ~ haffled and virtue triumphs.
hope l have not written too much, sir.
This is my last word on the subject some
thing you men say woman must have
Robert will not re-enter the prize ring