The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-09
FITz IMAGINED
WORLD ON FIRE.
Tells of His Experience in the
Dakota Blacksmith
Shop.
Special to The journal.

Special to The Journal.
Sioux Falls, S. D.. Jan. 9.--Altho disposed to
make light Of the accident. in which himself
death. Robert Fitzsimmons admits that he never
was more frightened in his life than when the
floor gave way and he heard the SHOUTS anu
cries Of those who were injured.
He is rapidly recovering from the effects Of
the injuries received Saturday afternoon, when
he with about 200 or 800 other persons were
precipitated into a basement by the floor or
blacksmith shop giving way while he was ell
gagged in his favorite recreation Of making SOU
venir horseshoes.
eli 'ad just picked the iron from the fire.
3 said he in referring to the accident when,
crash. and down went. Hi thought 1t was
my finish.
..Hi lay face down with my 'ead 'anging over
the broken joists. The forge was on my back
One Of the 'orses Oh my legs and the
hanvil pinned down one of my ands HI thought
It was all over, or soon would be- for 1t looked
Ike the walls were going to tumble on me next
N called for my manager Colonel John Emmke
Of the Cataract hoteD and thought he was
He 'Eard Groans.
IAN about me Hi card groans and gasps.
Something 1T me on the side of the face and HI
was dazed. Hi called again for my manager
and began to think what sad thing 1t w NC 10
be to have to break the news OF his death TO
his wife. Colonel Emmke was only recently
MARKEDLY
Gust then Hi saw i'm crawling thru ole
in the wall to the light outside
Few people are aware that Fitzsimmons, IN ad-
dttion to his other accomplishments, also Is an
expert maker Of hOrseshoes.
Three times he has competed with the most
skilled workers in this line in the world, ana
each time has come out victorious. His record
Is thirty-six shoes in thirty five minutes and he
has always beaten his opponents IN the contests
by margins of eight shoes.
Since winning his pronounced victory IN the
arena Of love- Fitzsimmons has been thoroly
enjoying himself during his stay in the city.
He has mixed freely with the people, and has
personally met hundreds of citizens. He mas
been the center Of interest for the idle and
curious since his arrival in the city, and when
he appears in public is always surrounded by
hundreds Of persons who wish to view great
fighter at close range
Referee of Chicken Fight.
When committee from the Queen City Poul
try association visited him for the purpose OF
inviting h3Ss 10 referee the pit-game contests
which will sr teld during the annual show OF
the association which is being held here this
week. Fitzsmmons stated that he did not like
to witness such exhibitions, he did not believe
in cockfghts.
''But the contest will be with muffs," pro
tested the members of the committee.
''Oh, well. that's all right. HI will stay ant
referee the contest"
And that is why the departure of himself ant
wife from Sioux Falls delayed for a period
Of twenty four hours. they originally having
intended to depart Monday.
Fitz in the role Of referee Of cockfght
will be of the drawing cards Of the poultr!
show and it may be necessary to have al
overflow meeting.