Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-20
THE PUGlLlSTS
FRECKLED BOB
 DEAD BROKE
Benefit is Proposed For the One Time Idol of the Prize
 Ring.

is very much financially embarrass- ed," as bankers say, and, as he would say, nearly dead broke. The Sz'- 900 that Fitz should get for meeting Johnson in Philadelphia "Wednesday night, when Bob was knocked out easily in the second round, Is all ne has in the world. ..
 This announcement will come as an unpleasant surprise to many friends of Fitzsimmons, who thought a few years ago that he had an inde- pendent fortune from which nothing could divorce him. All of that mon- ey which Fitz earned and kept with such care has been sifted out in theatrical ventures and taken from him in one way or the other by al legged friends-the friends" being in reality sharpers.
 Fitzsimmons says he is 45 years old, and probably he is fifty if he is a day, although Parson Davies, who looked up his birth record, says Fitz is AT. Whatever he Is, he looks 50 and more. His fighting days are over and there are few ways in which he can earn a living. Plans are being made to give him a benefit in New York. Already saveral theatrical men, including Manager H. B. Har- ris, have announced that they would take a hand in any scheme and back it to the end that would result in helping Fitz back to Easy street.
 It is intended to call for volunteers to appear at benefit to be held next month. As Fitzsimmons has many friends among stage folk-he is something of an actor himself-it is thought a large sum can be raised for him.
 Fitzsimmons in his life has earned easily, 1t is estimated, half a million dollars. He made money fighting and he made money on the stage i'm mediately following his most success full encounters. For weeks at time he received as high as $1,500 every seven days for appearing with some theatrical company. It was supposed that he took good care of his money, but lately it has been going in large sums. It is known that for weeks Fitzsimmons has had no money.
 There was S2,000 due. him from the Philadelphia fight, and tele- gram from the Quaker City says that George Considine of this city attach ed this, following judgment of $4,- 200 which he had secured against the gladiator.
 MT C s1stdine's action, however, was taken only to secure the money for Fitz himself. Others of his credi- tors were after 1t, and had they beat ten MT Considine to 1t Fitz would have got nothing. Mir Considine will turn 1t all over to Fitzslmmons.
 John and George Considine are promoting the proposed benefit. John Considine said last night: "Fitz- simmons has not got a dollar in the world. He is living out at Dunellen, N. J.. on a little farm which he rents and that is all the work he has raising some truck on his place.
 "I know it will amaze folks to hear that Fitz is broke. It did me when I heard about it. Fitz has been easy for sharpers. Once on railway train he was asked to play certain mans hand at poker, and he was dealt a big hand-four aces think. He immedi- ately wanted to bet his own money, and the others let him. He put up a big sum and one of the players show ed down a straight flush. This shows how easy Fitz was.
 Another time some men got a lot Of noDay from hin, ono of .L.,.. = ing as Collis P. Huntington, and ask ing Fitz to come back into his private car, the last one on the train and make himself at home. Fitz wen; back and nearly had a fight with the conductor. The last car was a priv. ate car all right, but it was not Hunt ington's.
 We want to raise some money for Fitz by a, benefit, and I hope every body who admires honest fighting will turn in and help this man. He certainly needs everything he can get"
 Another friend of Fitzsimmone said:
 The trouble with Fitz is that he thinks he is an actor. He has sunk thousands of dollars in the last few years 'angeling' his own vaudeville and dramatic companies. I'll go in on any scheme that will raise money for Fitzsimmons. but hope he will invest what he gets in a good paying farm. He has a taste for farming and can make good living out of one and enjoy himself at the same time"
 Jack Robinson. of Chicago. and Jim nOnovan of England, fought fast ien-round draw last night at th. Brown Athletic club at Rockaway. It was the fastest-fought bout between welter-weights held in that vicinity this year. From the bell starting the first round until the end each fought viciOusly in an sndeavor to land knockout. Both are clever. each had hard punch and great ability Co take Each scored knock down. In the eighth round Robinson landed q terrific rieiit-hand swing on the Engiishman's jaw and tho iatter fell to the floor. He was up sn ar Irr- stanf and was fighting when the bel ended the round.
 After a few seconds of fighting in