The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-07
THE BATTLE OF
 CHANTILLY

Although the historian may con sider it a minor affair as compared with the great battles fought in France during the present war, and may even pass over it without men ton, nevertheless the battle of Chan lilly had some features deserving of perpetuatiOn in print It was just twenty-eigIt years ago this week that this conflict was fought on Baron Rothschild's training grounds near Chantilly, France. It was England against America, the former repre- scented by the 1.-the, slender, scientific boxer, Charlie Mitchell, and the latter by the big, broad, bluff, beIlicose Irish-American, yours truly John L.''
 Although this was a bare knuckIe battle under the old London rules, with the worlds championship and $5,OOO at stake, it was not marked by any great degree of ferocity. The opponents and their seconds-Jake Kilrain and Jack Baldock for Mitchell and Ashton and Mcdonald for Su11i- van-seenled to remember that they were on the soil of France, that land of politeneSS and Suave courtesy, and acted accordingly. The rude language so often heard at such affairs was a1- most lacking, and ''Mr.'' Sullivan and f'Mr." Mitchell bombarded each other with the utmost good feeling. When Charlie landed a good one John would say, 'That was fine punch, Mitchell '' and the Britisher could not be out done.
 Now and then John L. beloved and roared and glared as of yore, but for the most part he fought quietly Per- haps this was because he had discov- cred in his previous experience with Mitchell. that the little Eng1ishman was not to be frightened by such tactics usually scared John LIS op- ponents into blue funk, with the re- suit that they were beaten before they had scarcely. commenced. There were only two men who ever fought Su11i- van who were not more or less affect ed by Johns imitation of a bull look ing at a red flag, and they were Mitchell and Corbett. Jake KiIrAin was too game to be really frightened by such tactics, but at times he was angered by Sul1y's believing, and tenn porarily lost his head. As for Mitchell, although he was an inch and a half shorter and thirty pounds lighter than Sullivan, he was wholly unaffected by the Bostonian's bul1dozing stunts, and gazed upon the raving John with a sneering smile.
 In the early rounds of the battle of Chantil1y Sullivan often knocked his opponent down, and several times Mitchell had to be carried to his cor ner. It was soon plain to the specta- tors, however, that Mitchell was not badly hurt by Su11ivan's blows, and that he was trying to wear the big fellow out. At the end of the thirty ninth round the affair was called a draw the battle having occupied three hours and eleven minutes. Neither man was badly hurt, although Sullivan looked much the worse. Johns right eye was in mourning and his lips were cut an dswOllen, while a thin stream of crimson poured from his nose and trick1ed from his mustache. Mitchell had big bump on his temple, but he had shed no blood Altogether the af- fair was unsatisfact ctory to the fans who had travelled So far to see it.
 After the crowd returned to Lon don an American was explaining Sulli- vans failure to win. "A cold, driving rain was falling" he said, "and poor John was chilled to the bone. He suf- fered terribly from the cold, and my heart ached for the poor old fellow, fight away so gameIy hour after hour. Poor John!'
 ''It was bloody shyme,'' agreed an EngIishman. "But, b1imey, who was 'o1ding the umbrelly over MitchelI?''