The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-12-23

S NOTE 1nlS 10 Tic SOANAAN
ton of a series of articles by Jim COR
bett which deal with the career of Bob
Fitzsimmons. Few men knew Fttz as
Corbett knew him, and so these stories
reveal some incidents in the life OF
Fitzsimmons that never before nave
been printed. The next chapter will APP
pear tomorrow
Bob Fitzsimmons went into his bat
tie with Jim Jeffries on June 3, 1889
filled with a feeling akin to over-con
fidence. The mighty Australian war
rior held the husky Californian In too
little esteem. He knew that jeff had
bull-like strength, that he could hit a
powerful blow, but he didn't figure as
he stepped into the ring that Jeffries
had a real chance against him.
The awakening for Fitz came in the
second round. The knockout blow
wasn't landed until the eleventh, but
have always felt-and so have many
ring experts-that six-inch blow that
Jeff landed in the second session was
the deciding factor in that battle. 1t
was q left-hand jab that seemed to
come from nowhere, that cut through
Tie 1Auobl . 8 u1A " SobShb MN OiA
the mouth and sent him backwards to
the floor. That blow had the effect of
disconcerting the Australian. 1t was
totally unexpected, and throughout the
rest of the fight Bob failed to battle
with the aggressiveness of other days;
that one six inch jab had made him
altogether too cautious.
Fitzsimmons and Jeffries fought be-
fore crowd of SAP, which taxed the
standing room and seating capacity of
the Coney Island Athletic club. The
purse was $4,000, of which Fitz was
guaranteed rs per cent. Jeffries went
into the ring weighing something be-
yond 210 pounds; Fitz between 10 and
ITS. The battle began at 1920 p m.
with the betting odds ranging from
to / to S to 2 in Bob's favor. The sec
onds for Fitz were Martin Julian, Jack
Everhardt, Yank Kenney and Dan
Hickey The active seconds for Jeffries
wer Billy Delaney, Jack Daily, Tommy
Ryan and Charlie Jeffries, while l also
was in that corner in an advisory ca
pacity.
Jeffries entered the arena at $50 p.
M and Bob taking his time and treat
ing Jim to the old freeze OUT trick,
didn't arrive until 40 minutes later,
preceded by his seconds, who carried
floral horseshoe six feet high, on which
was inscribed, Good luck to the
champion"
Soon after both men had entered the
ring an argument followed as to what
rules were to govern the contest JEFF
fries insisted upon straight Marquis of
Queensbury while Fitz wanted clean
break. They finally agreed that if both
men were holding the referee was to
go between them; If one man was
holding with both hands his opponent
could punch himself free. Then, with
out any further preliminary the battle
began with George Siler as the referee.
Here is a concise round by round de-
scription of the contest
ROUND ONE
Both men advanced to the ring and
tented for opening. Fftz shot out a
ing $4,000. A OHM has purchased three
store buildings on lower Montgomery
avenue, the consideration being $4,000.
Many QUITO town parties are here and
other large deals are pending.
NEW CONCERNS ESTABLISHING
Sheffield Is rapidly filling up with
new enterprises and businesses of all
kinds. A very few desirable store
buildings remain to be leased or con-
tracted for January 1, where the pres
ent tenant is removing or vacating.
Numerous mercantile buildings and
many residences are in the course of
construction, and others are being
planned.
RAILROAD OFFICIALS VISIT
General superintendent J. H Stan
field. General Freight Agent r. L.
Steele, r. p. Tobein, superintendent of
r. r. Pegram. general
agent. and F. P. Pelter, superintendent
of the Memphis division of the South
ern railway, have been in Sheffield all
this week
1t is understood here that more ade-
quate railroad facilities are to be pro-
vided for Sheffield 1t is said that in |
all probability the superintendent of |
the Memphis division will soon remove
to Sheffield from Memphis.