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I the morning NEWS. 1
. established /*) IlfcORP* jhatkd 1888. y
j i. H. J .STILL. President. I
CORBETT STILL CHAMPION,
Mitcbell Knocked Out in the Third
Round.
It.t American Slugger on the Aggres
sive From the Start—The English
man Clearly Outclassed—Corbett so
Blinded With Passion That His Sec
onds Had to Hold Him to Keep
Him From Losing on a Foul.
Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 25 —James John
C'jrbett. of California, is the champion
pugilist of the world. He won the honor
at 2:28 o'clock this afternoon, when
“Honest” John Kelly pronounced him the
•winner of the prize of $20,000 in his fight
with Charles Mitchell, champion of Eug
land. The fight was an easy victory for
the American champion. It lasted only
three rounds, and Corbett was the ag
gressor from the very start. Mitchell
was clearly out-classed, and although the
fight was a sharp and exciting one, it was
really a one-sided one in almost every
particular. There were fully 8,000 people
present, and all of them were disap
pointed because the spectacle was so
short as to hardly give them the worth of
their money —especially those t who had
paid $25 for box seats, and had come from
1,000 to 3,0J0 miles to occupy them.
COIiBETT THE FIRST TO APPEAR.
Although the fight had been advertised
to be ca’,led at 1:30 o’clock p. m., it was
2:05 o'clock before either one of the pugil
ists was in readiness. Corbett was the
first to appear. He came in at the main
entrance to the arena and walked briskly
to the northwest corner of the ring, pre
ceded by John McVey. and followed by
William A. Brady, his manager; Billy
Delaney and Prof. John Donaldson.
Joe Yen dig, of New York, had just fin
ished calling the audience to order, end
ing by introducing Billy Madden as
master of ceremonies. Corbett wore a
long, figured bath robe and a soft, round
traveling hat. As he ascended the steps to
the ring, he was greeted with tumultuous
applause and bowing his head, he nodded
his acknowledgements to the spectators.
He proceeded immediately to his corner,
the southeast one, and took a seat. His at
tendants in the meanwhile arranged his
buckets and sponges, and got the bottles,
the fans and the towels in place conven
iently at hand.
A MODEST DEMEANOR.
The champion had shaken hands with
Billy Madden as he crossed the ring, but
farther than this he appeared to extend
a personal recognition to no one near the
ring or in the audience. He wore an air
of perfect confidence and smiled pleasantly
at times as he looked about him.
For fully two minutes he remained
•quietly seated; then he arose deliber
ately, tightened the cords of his bath robe
about his waist and walked over to the
ropes on the east side of the ring and
threw his whole weight against them in
order to test their strength. He was ap
parently satisfied, and then returned to
his corner.
MITCHELL'S ENTRY.
Mitchell entered the arena eight min
utes after Corbett. He, too, was dressed
in a bath robe, and wore a blue outing
hat, which was pulled down in front over
his eyes. As he walked along the floor of
the arena to the northwest corner of the
ring, he was preceded by his manager,
Billy Thompson, and was followed by
Jack Fogarty, Pony Moore, Tom Alien, of
St. Louis, Harry Darrin, who car
ried the backet and sponges.
Jim Hall, Steve O’Donnell and Bat
Masterson, of Denver. He took his
seat in the northwest corner and eyed the
spectators critically, while they cheered
him to the echo. He looked nervous; in
fact, he has never appeared to the criti
cal observer, to be at all confident of
winning this fight, although he has talked
confidently and quite as boastfully as
Corbett and his backers. As the English
champion sat in his corner on this occa
sion his underlip was curled even more
contemptuously than usual, and he did
not make so favorable an impression upon
the spectators as had been expected.
ANNOUNCING THE SECONDS.
Both men were now in their corners,
and "Honest” John Kelly was in the
center of the ring about to call up the
pugilists to their work. Billy Madden
advanced to the ropes and announced that
Corbett's seconds were John Donaldson,
Jack Dempsey, William McMillan and
Billy Delaney, and that the timekeeper
*pr the American champion was Ted
Foley.
Mitchell’s seconds were announced offi
cially as Jim Hall. Pony Moore, Tom
Allen and .Steve O’Donnell. His time
keeper was Bat Masterson. The official
timekeeper for the club was “Snapper”
Garrison, of New York.
At 2:ifi o'clock Billy Madden announced
to the crowd that Ed Smith, of Denver,
nad ihallenged the winner in this contest
to a fight for SIO,OOO a side, and as big a
purse as <ould be secured. This was
greeted with a faint cheer and a good
ueal of derisive laughter.
giving the instructions.
A minute later, the referee called tho
men to the center of the ring and gavo
nem a few brief instructions, telling
bi v," I .' an ’ OQ g other things, that he would
r' 1 ?"’ ea °h contestant one fair warning in
,r®. natter of fouis. but after that no
e "*® nc iV nor any concession would be
r> D .i to e ‘ t * ler under the rules and the
fj“J5 le *°f agreement. The men then re
irea to their corners again and began
•tripping for the fray.
BRADY PAYS A BET.
hi !?, this was going on, Billy Mad Sen
. mto l^e center of the ring, und,
ni ar,>ssl ng Mitchell, said that he was
to hand over to him the SI,OOO
th ‘, ~h e held as a wager made by Brady
in h ■ Englishman would neveraupenr
ri iP® t° tight Corbett in Jackson
fi.Jvi i look crisp bills, nod
-4 bead satisfactorily, and tucked
m away in his trousers i>ocket without
tfn'?. m * Thin he passtki the
an, U „ Ser ® P' ?< -‘ rlO one °f his attendants and
Ih from his corner. He wore
• i. n „mßffßd brown stockings, thin black
o ,rna a pair of dark blue trunks.
10 was as naked as when he
into the world. His skin looked
gn and bronzed, and his limbs and
anil 'i., toa * b an(l w >ry. “He's as hard
cm,,™ l ? u h as blacksmith,” was the
U ?l ODt ? f 8n sport who sat behind
benches, “and he look.k as if he
Da, , U as hard a blow and twite a good
• hard ones too, without nr.ltfding it.”
CORBETT IN MAGNIFICENT COK'DITION.
wP, threw off his robe and his men
l “Pf reen and white colors about his
s-, K He was dressed about, as Mitchell
i out the contrast between the two
fighters was very marked and in Corbett's
favor. His skin was whiter, to bo sure,
but he looked so much bigger and so much
more powerful that it made those who
had money up on Mitchell lose heart at
once. He looked like a thorough-bred
and there were many exclamations of ad
miration at his condition. It was the
pink of perfection. His long muscles
showed out in bold relief, long and grace
ful, in vivid contrast to the muscles of the
Englishman, which were piled on him in
bunches like knotted rope. Experts say
that the knotted muscles denote strength
and the long ones quickness. They j
told the tale truly: Corbett’s every j
movement was like that of the
quick, easy, agile panther. The
man was the very embodiment of grace.
A clear, healthy light shone in his eye,
which took in, like a flash, the whole sur
roundings.
THE GLOVES WEIGHED.
Chief of Police Keefe now appeared at
the ringside on the west and weighed the
•gloves with which each man had been fur
nished. Thoy were found to be correct
at the five-ounce minimum weight per
mitted by the city ordinance, and the
chief waved his hand as a token of his
assent to the contest. Corbett’s gloves
were of a dark, reddish brown, soft
leather, while those of Mitchell
were of chamois skin. It took only
a few seconds for the seconds
to adjust the gloves upon the hands of the
pugilists, and then the gong was sounded
for time. The men advanced to tho cen
ter of the ring, but did not shake hands,
as is customary in such contests. It is
said that the Englishman half extended
his, but that Corbett made no motion in
the way of taking it and the fight began
without further ceremony.
THE STORY BY ROUNDS.
The story by rounds follows:
Hound I.—Corbett sprang from his cor
ner, as if he had suddenly beeu released
from restraint, and Mitchell, in a more
leisurely manner, walked to the center to
meet him. They began fiddling, with
Corbett advancing and Mitchell giving
ground. Both men were cautiously feel
ing their way, but all the disposition to
get together was displayed by Corbett.
With easy, light action, without
so much as a feint, Corbett
worked his opponent to the ropes and
along each side of tho square. Mitchell
cleverly escaping from each corner after
a complete tour of the stage. Mitchell
feinted wLh his left and then led with it
for Corbett's ribs, but Corbett was else
where in a flash. Corbett led his left
and landed a glancing blow on Mitchell's
jaw. The Englishman clinched. After
the break Mitchell landed on Cor
bett's wind, and got Jim's left
on his nose in return. Mitchell
then led twice in quick succession,
but failed each time to reach the shifty
Californian. On the third attempt he
landed lightly on Corbett’s wind, but took
in pay a bang on the nose, which red
dened the organ. Charlie's next lead
reached Jim’s jaw, but only lightly, and
again for a mere touch the Englishman
took another hard one flush in the face
that jotted his head back. Time.
In this round Corbett had done onough
to make Charlie take a more serious view
of the situation, and before the round was
over Corbett was laughing at his oppo
nent. Jim was readier and rather nicer
iD obeying the referee’s instructions to
break away.
THE SECOND ROUND.
Round 2.—Corbett’s eyes, while he was
in his corner, were on the bell-rope, and
the instant he saw it pulled he jumped up
and was in the middle of the ring when
the gong sounded. Work was resumed
by Mitchell leading with his left and
catching Jim squarely on the mouth.
Then, for the first and only time, he tried
forcing tho tight, but his blows
fell short, and a little aggressive work
seemed to discourage him. Corbett again
resumed the offensive and soon had
Mitchell in a corner, where he landed his
left heavily on the mouth. There was a
brisk rally, in which Mitchell received
some stiff punches in the neck, and
cleverly dodged a right swing. Toward
the close of the round Corbett had worked
Charley over to the ropes, where, after a
mix-up, he landed a straight left drive on
Charley’s left temple and dropped him.
At this point Corbett utterly lost
his head. If it had not been for
lieferee Kelly’s heavy restraining hand
he would then and there have lost the
fight on a foul. He was frantic to get at
his man and finish him, actually strug
gling with the big referee to dash at
Mitchell every time the Englishman got
up on one knee. The gong sounded and
the end of the light was delayed by time.
THE FINAL HOUND.
Round 3.—During the minute’s rest the
referee very seriously warned Corbett
! about fouling, and his seconds implored
I him to keep his head and uot lose the
1 prize that was plainly his, if he did not
foul. When the gong sounded Mitchell
came up slowly and Corbett sprang at
him. There was only one fighter in the
ring, and that was Corbett. He rushed
Charley into a corner, where, after
punching him in the nose with his left
and drawing blood, he swung on his jaw
and knocked him down. Again he lost
his head, and Kelly alone could not
keep him away from Mitchell, who, half
dazed, was waiting his ten seconds. The
attendants from Corbett’s corner,
jumped in the ring and pushed Corbett
away from his victim. Their arguments
, fell on deaf cars. The man was mad.
I The instant Mitchell was up, Corbett
plunged at dim, smashing him in the
mouth. Mitchell fell heavily and the
blood gushed from his mouth and nose,
j'gain Corbett’s seconds broke into the
ring and wound their arms around
him, for only in that'# way could
: they restrain him as the referee's hand
I marked the passing ten seconds. Every
word the referee said —the counting of the
time-keepers, the appeal of Corbett’s sec
onds and the angry protests of Mitchell’s
—all these sounds were lost in the din of
wild cheers, as the beaten, bleeding
Mitchell turned slowly on the floor, and
at last staggered to his feet. Instinct
prompted him to put up bis hands, but he
stood a plaiu mark. defenseless
and dazed, as Corbett rushed
at him, and swinging his right
smashed a terrific blow square on
Mitchell’s jaw. The Englishmen fell
heavily on his side, rolled over on his
face, senseless and knocked out. Corbett
did not look at him again. Any man who
could have struck that blow would know
that the man who received it would have
to be carried out of the ring. Even be
fore the formality of counting out the de
feated man had been gone through with,
Corbett was being hugged by his delirious
friends and attendants.
The spectators were nearly as crazy
with excitement as the man on the plat
form, and no one left the arena until after
| Mitchell's seconds had lifted him up and
1 carried him to his corner. The lightning
like work of Corbett in the round had
j been too rapid for most of the spectators
to follow aud understand. They saw
Mitchell knocked down three times in
rapid succession, saw him stretched out
senseless und bleeding, but how it was
done, was a question which was asked Dy
SAVANNAH, GA., FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1894.
hundreds of men who had been staring at
the deed they asked to have explained.
MITCHEI.L HELPLESS.
Mitchell, as he half lay and half sat in
his corner, appeared to be in very bad
shape—ln fact, helpless. His seconds
and attendants Immediately began to rub
him vigorously and to apply restoratives.
He was given a big dose of brandy and
cold water was dashed in his face in pro
fuse quantities. He revived quick
ly, although he was very weak,
and it was some minutes before
he could be gotten on to his feet and
helped to his dressing room. Corbett,
meanwhile, had pulled on his trousers and
thrown his robe over his shoulders, and,
in company with his backers and attend
ants, skipped nimbly across the ring and
down to the floor. Twenty minutes later
Corbett was dressed, and then entered a
carriage with his friends to be driven to
his hotel.
ARRESTED BY THE SHERIFF*
At the gate he was arrested by Sheriff
Broward upon a warrant issued by
County Judge Baker, the charge being an
alleged violation of the law in having
“fought by previous appointment.” The
sheriff permitted a deputy to accompany
Corbett to the St. James hotel, and after
the champion had changed his clothes he
was driven to the court house. Later
on, Mitchell was arrested on the
same charge and taken before the county
judge. Nearly all the members of the
Duval Athletic Club were arrested in the
same way, and a few of the noted sports
in town as being aiders and abettors and
present during the fight.
PLACED UNDER BOND.
The two pugilists were represented by
the attorneys of the Duval Athletic Club,
aud tho judge ordered them placed under
a $5,000 bond, each to appear before Judge
Phillips, of the criminal court to-morrow.
The others were released on #2.500 bail
each. The information upon which these
warrants were sworn out was filed with
the county judge by Sheriff Broward
himself, and it is said that the proceed
ings aro of a friendly character, brought
for the purpose of thoroughly testing the
application of the statute.
CORBETT SEVERELY CRITICISED.
There was a good deal of harsh criti
cism upon Corbett by many of the high
class sporting men'and spectators at the
fight on account of his losing his head in
the second round and making such savage
efforts to strike Mitchell while he was
down. Scores of spectators are positive
that Corbett struck the Englishman
while the latter lay doubled up on the
floor at his feet, and some of those who
lost money expressed indignation at the
failure of Referee Kelly to call it “foul.”
The referee did not so call it, however,
and says that Corbett did not strike a
foul blow at all.
COHRETT DENIES ANY FOUL BLOW.
Referring to this incident of the fight,
Corbett said to the Southern Associated
Press agent to-night: “I did not strike
Mitchell a foul blow at all; in fact, I
did not hit him at all during this
collapse of his in the second round.
But had I seen fit to have done so the
blow would not have been a foul one, for
Mitchell’s knees were not upon the floor,
and he was not, therefore, knocked down,
as fighting men understand it. He uad
been knocked down, but was up off his
knees—if not both of them, at least one.
But I understand that Mitchell is per
fectly satisfied, so I don’t see why any
question should be raised about the cir
cumstance now. But as far as that goes,
Mitchell had already fouled me by follow
ing ine into my corner and hitting me on
my neck after the gong had sounded at
the end of the first round. So, if there
was any fouling at all, he did it.”
CORBETT'S BTORY CONFIRMED.
Col. J. D. Hopkins, the well-known au
thority in sporting matters, was seen at
his hotel after the fight, and said that ho
was sitting within 15 feet of Corbett and
Mitchell when the incident occurred in
tho second round, and that he saw no
foul blow struck. “There is no doubt.”
he added, “that Corbett tried to hit
Mitchell, but he did not. I saw every
movement of Corbett, and he made no
foul whaiever.”
A1 Smith was playing a game of pool at
the Windsor hotel when the Southern As
sociated Press representative questioned
him about the incident. His reply was:
“There was nothing about that incident
in the second round which could have at
all changed the result of the fight. Every
body who saw it and knows anything
about such matters will tell you the same
thing.”
MITCHELL MAKES NO KICK.
As for Mitchell himself he says 'of the
occurrence: “I don't know whether I
was fouled or not. All I know is that if
Corbett had not been a better man than
myself with his lists I should not
have been knocked down by him, and con
sequently I should not have been in a posi
tion to have been fouled by him. Do you
see what I mean? 1m not kicking a bit,
or claiming anything, so Corbett and
everybody else who won or lost on the
fight ought not to complain.”
EDITOR HARDING’S VIEWS.
William E. Harding, the sporting editor
of the Police Gazette, sent the following
in regard to the Corbett and Mitchell fight
to Richard K. Fox, of New York to
night: The fight between Corbett and
Mitchell was a great dissapointment to
those who journeyed 1,200 miles to wit
ness the contest, for they expected to see a
more protracted struggle and witness the
English champion give the American
champion a closer run for the $20,000 and
the many bets pending on the result.
Corbett proved that he (s a wonderful
fighter with gloves, and he out-classed
Mitchell just like Bob Fitzsimmons out
classed Jack Dempsey, when they fought
for #13,000 and the middle weight cliam
ionsblp of the world at New Orleans.
CORBETT GREATLY IMPROVED.
“Corbett has greatly improved since he
defeated John L. Sullivan, on Sept. 7,
1302, at New Orleans, for $45,000 and the
championship of the world, and Mitchell
has grown stale and lacks the stamiDa
and hitting power which he demon
stated that he possessed when be
fought John L. Sullivan on March
10, 1888, for $5,000 at Chantilly,
France, and defeated Jem Mace at Glas
gow. Scotland, in 1800. Corbett is the
greatest pugilist that America has ever
had during the past three decades,
barring none of the many champions.
The ouly pugilist who would stand an
outside chanoe of winning with Corbett
would be Bob Fitzsimmons, and his
chances would only be a little better
than Mitchell’s.
THE ALLEGED FOUL.
“In regard to the alleged questionable
decision of the referee upon the incident
in the second round, while there might
have been a foul, as far as the second en
tering the ring goes, which is an infringe
ment of the rules, there was no
malicious foul which would, in
the spirit of fair play, justify a
refevee in disqualifying Corbett. The
position of referee is an unthankful office,
u position which few will accept, simply
because few who witness prize ring en
counters are versed in the rules, and when
a referee uses sound judgment and de-
eldes fair, the masses believe that it is un
fair.
“One thing must be said in favor of
Mitchell. He came to America to meet
the American champion. He fulfilled
every obligation, proving that his courago
could not be questioned, and when fairly
beaten he honestly acknowledged defeat
and shook bands with his conqueror.”
THU FIGHTERS SHAKE HANDS.
And this last statement of Mr. Harding
is correct. The incident occurred at the
court house, after the two men had fixed
up their bail bonds. Corbett stepped
over to where Mitchell was standing and
said, as he extended his hand
to the battered and bruised Britisher,
“Mr. Mitchell, I have heard of
some of the kind things that
you have said of me since we
left the ring to-dav, and I wnnt to
thank you, and to say that I believe you
to be a gentleman ami a true sportsman.
I bear you no ill-will, aud I think we
ought to be friends.” Mitchell spoke a
few words in reply, in which he compli
mented the Californian on his prowess,
and then Corbett and Billy Thompson
made up by shaking hands heartily.
THE FAILURE TO SHAKE IN THE KINO.
At the Everett hotel to-night, Billy
Thompson denied the story that Mitchell
had offered his hand to Corbett when
they met in the ring, and that Corbett
had refused it. “It is customary, of
course,” said Thompson, “for the two
contestants to shake hands. But in this
instance, neither man made
any movement in that direction.”
I wish also to deny the report that Mitch
ell had applied a vile epithet to Corbett a
few seconds before tho alleged foul. No
word was spoken by cither man, and Cor
bett’s exhibition of a vicious temper was
not the result of any insult from Mitchell.”
The defeated Englishman’s manager
added that Mitchell had declared since
the fight that COrbett is the most finished
lighter in the world to-da.v, “and, as for
myself,” added Thompson, “I never, in
all my life, saw such a superb fight as
Corbett put up to-day. If he takes care
of himself the championship will stay
with him for many, many years.”
Mitchell takes his defeat gracefully,
and had no harsh words to say of any
body connected with the fight.
THE BATTLE BEFORE JUDGE CALL.
There was another great legal battle
before Judge Call, of the circuit court, at
10 o'clock this morning upon tho further
demurrer to the injunction against Sheriff
Broward, issued yesterday. The argu
ment was begun at 10 o’clock and lasted
until 1, when the case was submitted.
Judge Call pulled out bis watch and an
nounced that the court was adjourned un
til 3 o’clock, There was considerable dis
appointment that a decision had not been
reached and the big crowd filed out of the
court room and rushed off to the scone of
the great fistic bottle.
MANY SPORTS STRANDED.
About the streets of Jacksonville to
night there are many financial wrecks
among the sporting fraternity; particu
larly is this true of the western men,
many of whom were tempted by the big
odds offered to take chances of bucking
against the favorite, Billy Thompson,
the manager of Mitchell, is a heavy loser,
but a very gamey one. The Mitchell
party will remain here for a week or two.
Corbett and his friends will probably re
turn to New York to morrow.
THE CLUB’S PROFITS.
There is no doubt that the Duval
Athletic Club made a good thing out of
the fight. It is estimated that they took
in between $55,000 and SOO,OOO. They gave
a purse of $20,000 to the winner and their
expenses were about $5,000. Even if they
received only $50,000 they did remarkably
well, or even $40,000. They allowed no
deadheads. Even the representatives of
the newspapers that advertised the affair
so well were required to pay S2O admis
sion.
At day break rain was pouring in tor
rents and early risers felt that the fates
and elements were dead against the
financial success of the Duval Athletic
Club in pulling off the fight according to
schedule. The hour announced for the
men to appear in the ring was 1:30 o’clock
p. m., and a report got started early in the
forenoon that by that time the arena
would bo flooded because the roof was
only a sham affair, something in the
nature of a protection from the rays of
the sun. This, of course, was not well
calculated to help the sale of tickets, but
In spite of it tho Duval rooms were
crowded from 9 up to 11:30 o’clock with
eager seekers after the costly pieces
of paper which would take the holders to
the ring side.
THE CROWD IN TOWN.
The streets wero crowded with strang
ers, and every hotel and boarding house
was full to overdowing with guests last
night. Hundreds of private residences
had to be called upon to shelter the over
flow. Along Ba.v street for seven blocks
every barroom was jammed fuli of sport
ing men, and boys blocked tho doorways
and street corners, despite the steady rain
that was falling.
THE BETTING.
At the pool rooms the hoarse voices of
the sellers could be heard far out on the
street as they arose regularly above the
din and clatter of the bar business. The
sports were unusually slow about putting
up their money. There was very little
going on either of the pugilists. At the
Globe cafe pool sellers still
kept offering the old chestnut
“100 to 40” on Corbett,
and occasionally a venturesome man
would pull out a little money. At the
hotels there was a good deal of betting,
the stakes in almost every instance being
larger than those at the saloons and pool
rooms.
A BET OF S7OO TO $2,000.
Dave Johnson, of New York, put up
S7OO for Mitchell against $2,000 for Cor
bett on the result of the fight, and there
were doz.ens of wagers in varying amounts
that the Englishman would stay in tho
ring for twenty rounds. A w< 11 known
Boston sport, in maKinga bet of this kind,
explained that he based it upon
his confidence in Mitchell being
able to run away from Corbett
for that period of time. “But if he
allows himself to be hit a few times by
the American champion,” continued the
speaker, "he cannot stay for ten-rounds
even.” By II o’clock nearly every car
riage in town was in commission and
began bearing eastward toward the arena
through the deep mud and water. Their
occupants were blowing great clouds of
smoke from the windows, which gave the
cavalcade somewhat the appearance of a
smoking volcano.
THE CHECK TURNED INTO CASK.
Referee Kelly came into the arena
about 12:80 o’clock, and as ho passed the
reporters smilingly informed them that at
last he had the real stuff in crisp bills in
hU inside pocket.
The next commotion was caused by the
discovery of a woman occupying a good
seat near one corner of the stage. She
was stylishly dressed in men s clothes.
Her hair colled up under a soft white
yachting hat. Her escort was a big
country looking man, who seemed
quite able and willing to
take care of her. She was a good -look
ing woman aud appeared to be only a little
disconcerted by the amount of attention
she attracted. At 1 o’clock, instead of
fighters some more workmen entered the
ring and proceeded to hoist aloft by ropes
gasoline lighting apparatus. This caused
the crowd to show some impatience, ns
they were anxiously waiting for the fight.
Another object of interest was a group of
militia men in full uniform.
They were addressed as “Johnny,”
and told to “get your gun!”
It was 1:80 when the first bet was of
fered A man whose face, dress and
accent would be familiar on an English
race course, stood up aud yelled: “SUH)
to S3OO Mitchell wins.” There wero no
takers.
WANTED TO BET HIS COWS.
Then another man rose nnd yelled:
“Ziba King wants to bet 100 head of cat
tle to $5,000 that Corbett wins.” This
was received in thoughtful silence for a
moment, but it got the laugh, when a
solemn looking man arose and said:
“Bring in your cattle."
Ziba King is astute senator from Man
atee county, and owns 40,000 head of cattle.
Next the spectators entertained them
selves guessing at the number present.
The house counted, up according to most
estimates, 8,500 men and 1 woman. This
estimate at varying prices would make
the box receipts in the neighborhood of
$00,(W0.
CORBETT SURPRISED THEM.
The battle was surprising, tho joint
amazement of the crowd because the man
who had fought Sullivan to a draw tn
three hours and ten minutes at Chantilly,
in France, was never a menace oven to
Corbett, was whipped in two rounds and
went info tho third round only
to bo punished according to the Queeus
berr.y rules.
After Corbett began fighting he seemtxl
to consider Mitchell nothing but a chop
ping block. Ho abandoned nearly every
idea of defense and fought his man sav
agely, and with the manifest determina
tion to punish him quickly. Yet even in
such a battle Corbett suffered not much
more than ho might in a lively set-to with
his traiuer. He left tho riug without
a mark, leaving his opponent senseless
to be carried out. These are somo
of tho things which amazed the critics
who are discussing the great but brief
battle from every point of view and come
only to one opinion, that is that Corbett
is a marvelous pugilist. There will never
be another word heard about Corbett's
lack of hitting power.
Ho hammered Mitchell terribly, nnd de
livered his blows with snap, precision
aud what some have denied to him, ter
rific force. In the ring, stripped, he
looked bigger than when ho fought Sul
livan, yet Mitchell, although shorter,
did not look small in com
parison. Mitchell is frequently
described as the big little man und so
true is it that he gives this impression
that no oi.e who saw them to day had any
thought of a big man being matched
against a little one. While Corbett had
a real, although not very apparent advan
tage in size he had none in condition.
Mitchell was fit to battle if he ever was.
Going over aud over these points us the
critics aro doing to-night, they are com
pelled to agree in one conclusion that
Corbett is vastly Mitchell’s superior in
science and that of course has been
the quality for which Mitchell
has gaiued his great reputation.
THE MEN UNDER BOND.
Those whoso experience at the ring
side enabled them to keep their senses
and closely watch the only contestant in
the ring who could act, saw that Corbett
had struck Mitchell that last awful blow
not alone to knock him out, but to punish
him also. There was the hatred of years
concentrated in that blow, and tho rage
that could not be controlled by Corbett
himself, which urged him to strike his
antagonist while ho, Corbett, was strug
gling iu the arms of his seconds. * *
After their arrest they wero taken to
the court house, where they gavo bail iu
the sum of #7,500 each. J. D. Burbridge
became Corbett's bondsman, and Senator
Genovar, Mitchell’s bondsman.
It is understood that Mitchell will be
Wied in the morning, but Corbett’s trial
will be postponed to enable him to keep
an engagement at Madison Square Gar
den Saturday night. If Mitchell’s case is
dismissed Corbett will not bo required to
return.
WANTED TO SHAKE HANDS.
The two men met in by the court
room, Mitchell sending a friend to Corbett
to ask him if he would shake hands.
Corbett graciously complied with the
request and tho two exchanged stereo
typed compliments about each being the
best man the other had over mot. Cor
bett's wife is at the St. James' deal
ing out taffy to tho correspondents and
assuring them that Jim can lick anybody
in the world. Jim himself lias been
pleased to say that he intended to let
Mitchell fight five or six rounds, but could
not resist the temptation to knock him
out in the third.
OPINIONS OF THE VETERANS.
Mitchell was seen at the Everett house
and said: "1 met a man who is my
superior in weight and hight, and I now
freely acknowledge that he is also my
superior in science.”
Al. Smith is quoted as saying:
“Corbett could have gone to
a dozen arenas and licked a dozen Mitch
ells before he came home to dinner.”
Bat Masterson said that Mitchell was
really licked in the se -ond round. The
first knock down told the story. Mitch
ell could not land on Corbett effectively.
His blows always found Corbett shifting
away and did no damage.
GOV. NORTHEN SEEMS SAD.
Gov. Mitchell’s Failure to Stop the
Fight a Great Disappointment.
Way cross, Ga., Jan. 25.—Gov. Northen
left for Atlanta at 5 o'clock this afternoon
on the East Tennessee train. "When he was
informed that the fight had occurred in
Jacksonville the governor became home
sick aud made preparations to leave for
Atlanta on the next train. This morning
Gov. Northen remained in his room, and
was visited frequently by (solicitor Gen
eral Brantley and Judge J. L. .Sweat, ft
is believed that Gov. Northen expected
Gov. Mitchell to prevent the fight by some
means at the last moment, despite the
fact that an injunction had been granted
by Judge Call.
At 240 o'clock this afternoon the
Mornino News correspondent called on
Gov. Northen. Capt. Brantley and the
governor had been discussing the news of
the fight up to the second round, and they
were surprised to icarn that the fight was
finished.
“Corbett knocked Mitchell out in the
third round,” ventured the correspondent,
"and Mitchell made a poor fight.”
"What is a fight to the finish?” asked
the governor of Capt. Brantley, as ho
looked absent-mindedly at the window
“It U when oue of the principals fails
to come to time,” was the replv.
“How long did the fight last?” asked
Georgia’s governor as he looked towards
the wall.
He was told.
“To witness a fifteen minutes' brutal
prize fight is a great waste of money” he
continued.
“What have you to say in regard to
Gov. Mitchell's failure to interfere with
the tight after the injunction was granted,
governor?”
I have no criticism to make concerning
Gov. Mitchell,” he said, “aud as I am not
in his position I cannot lie expected to
have an opinion. Ido not believe in criti
cising other people, but some people re
gard it as their duty, it would seem.”
From Gov. Northen’* looks it was evi
dent that ho was not pleased with Gov.
Mitchell's failure to prevent the fight.
When Gov. Northen received tho news
that the fight was going on his confidence
was evidently shaken in regard to Gov.
Mitchell’s earnestness.
The governor said he would pay no at
tention to tho many criticisms mado con
cerning the course he has followed in ref
erence to the Corbett-Mitchell mill. ”1
have done my duty as 1 understand It,"
he said, “and that is all I have to say.”
This morning the St, Mary's bridges, on
the lines leading out of Jacksonville,
were guarded by tho troops. Fully 500
troops aud citizens wore guarding the
border lino to-day. This afternoon the
governor ordered the troops to leave their
post and return homo. The Wayoross
Rifles, the border county sheriffs and the
Savannah troops arrived hero on train 78
to-day. The military hoys were tired,
and were uot pleased with the faro they
have had iu tho neighborhood of tho Okee
fenokeo swamp. Some of them com
plained of the governor's course.
SENTIMENT DIVIDED AT ATLANTA.
Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 25.—Public senti
ment has been divided to-day between
the prize fight at Jacksonville and Gov.
Northerns course in taking tho field to
keep the sluggers from meeting in Geor
gia. Many criticize trio governor, uot
only oil account of the expense incurred to
the state b,v his line of action in calling
out the militia ami ordering special trains
to move the troops, but the wags and
funny paragraphers are going to great
lengths in putting a humorous aspect on
the governor’s personal attitude. Those
who take this view of the situa
tion think he has laid him
self liable to ridicule. There aro
many good citizens, howover, who defend
Gov. Northerns course warmly. They
claim that his ardor in defending the good
name of the state by going to meet the in
vading army of toughs in person, nnd
drlvo them back, is most praiseworthy.
Nothing has been heard from the gov
ernor at the capitol to-day, but he is ex
pected to be back at bis office to-morrow.
Attorney General Terrell, In discussing
the governor’s action, to day said that
Gov. Northen had positive information
that the Duval Club had selected a place
in Camden county and another
in Charlton county, one of
which they would have used for
the fighting ground had not Judge R. M.
Call’s decision made it possible for the
fight to take place in Jacksonville. This
authoritative announcement that the
Bluggers would be brought together in
Georgia, if they could be, was what caused
Gov. Northen to go to such a length in
taking measures to break up the fight.
THE GOVERNOR FABSES 4EHUP.
Jesup, Ga., Jan. 25.—Gov. Northen
passed here to-night on his return to At
lanta from Wa.yrruss, wliero he went to
direct the militia from this section to pre
vent a glove contest between Corbett und
Mitchell which was never advortlsrd to
take place on Georgia soil. Tho Wayne
Light Troop returned to-night at
8 o’clock looking tho worse for
wear alter remaining in the cold
and rain near the St. Mary's river for
the past eighteen hours. Every one here
that took any interest in tho contest are
Jubilant over the result.
"The editorial in to-day’s Issue of the
Morning News relative to tho attitudes
of the Gov’s. Northen and Mitchell, ex
presses the usent'.inent of nine-tenths of
the community. /
AN EPOCH IN RING HISTORY.
The Fight Marks a Turning Point in
Fistic Athletics.
Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 25.—A1l things
considered, to-day's battle between James
J. Corbett und Charles Mitchell was the
most lmportunt event in the annals of the
prize ring. It marked a turning point in
fistic athletics. Corbett belongs to the
new school of scientific boxers, represent
ing perhaps the most advanced ideas in
that line of pugilists. Mitchell, while hot
strictly identified with tho old line, re
ceived his earliest impressions and much
of his earlier training from the old bare
knuckle boxers, and was reared in that
pugilistic atmosphere which was largely
responsible for the longevity of the rules
of tho London prize ring, and for the
tardiness with which those of the Mar
quis of crept into public
favor on either side of tho Atlantic. The
fact that the champions of England and
America consented to an encounter under
the latter rules and under the restrictions
imposed b.v the articles of agreement is
proof in itself that tho new school of
pugilism has already crowded the old into
the rear.
There has been no groat event in the
pri.ering since the defeat of John L.
Sullivan by Corbett in September, 1898,
and tho class and the records, as well as
the standing an l the titles of the two
men gavo the contest from the very day
that it was first suggested an unusual de
gree of international interest and of in
ternational importance iu sporting circles.
In order to fully appreciate this condition
it will be necessary to glance at the re
cords of the two men. They both are
young, as years are reckoned nowadays,
but they had both been fighting as an oc
cupation almost since they were boys,
Mitchell is 5 years older than Corbett,
but he fought his first pitched battle
when he was only 16 years of age, while
Corbett was 18, and had, perhaps, a
longer training than the Englishman
prior to “coming out” as a fighter.
CORBETT’S RECORD.
James John Corbett was bom in Ran
Francisco, Cal., Sept. 1, 1866. of Irish
parents and re eived a good education in
the public schools of that city and at the
College of the Sacred Heart. When a boy
in his teens he was employed in a bank,
and later held a clerkship in the same in
stitution. His first instruction in boxing
was received from Prof. Walter Watkins,
of the Olympic Athletic Club. In 1884 he
made his first appearance in a professional
way, his opponent being Dave Eiseman,
whom the Californian disposed of very
easily in two rounds. He then defeated
Duncan McDonald, of Butte, Mont., in
four rounds. At the Olympic Club Cor
bett defeated Choynski in one round, and
later, on a barge in the Sacramento
river, in a hard-fought battle of
twenty-seven rounds, he knocked
him out a second time, breaking
his own hand in the encounter. Jack
Dempsey backed Choynski in this fight.
This latter victory by Corbett had been
preceded with the knocking out of Mike
Brennan, the “Port Costa Gian*.” and
with an eight- round bout with Jack Burke,
which was declared a draw. Corbett
was then only 19 years old, but he went
( DAILY. $lO A TEAR, f
J 5 CENTS A COPY. 1
I WEEKLY, H *5 A YJLAB- S
on from triumph to triumph, defeating in
rapid succession Jim Daly in two rounds(
Frank Smith, of Salt Lake City, in three;
George Atkinson in two, and Frank
Glover, of Chicago, in two. After hia
bargo battle with Choynski there was a
four-round meet for points between Oor
bett and Joe McAuliffe, in which thn
former easily got the decision. Prof. John
Donaldson, who lias becnono of Corbett’*
trainers for this contest with Mitchell,
was easily defeated by the Californian,
while the latter was still an instructor in
boxing at the Olympic club, and not long
after this. Prof. William Miller, the fa
mous Graeco-Roman wrestler, went down
before him in four ronnds. The only other
victory of any importance prior to Cor*
bett'B battle with .lake Kitrain was that
over Dave Campbell, of Portland, Ore.
On Fob. 17, 1890, Corbett met Jake Kll*
rain, of Baltimore, in a six-round glovn
contest, before the Southern Athletid
club of New Orleans, for a purse of $3,500.
and was declared the winner. On April
14, 1890, at the Casino, in Brooklyn, N.
Y., ho defeated Dominick McCaffrey in a
sharp and hotly-coutestod battle during
tho fourth round.
In the summer of 1890 Corbett issued a
challenge to fight any man in the world
for $5,000 a side, and on the night of May
21-22, 1891, Peter Jackson, the negro pugil
ist, mot him in Kan Francisco for a purse
of SIO,OOO, offered by tho California Ath
letic Club. At the doso of the sixty-first
round both men were physically unable to
continue tho battle, and the referee de
cided Hint it was a draw. It had lasted
four hours and three minutes, and was
one of the most stubborn fights in the his
tory of the prize ring.
On the night of Kept. 7,1898, Corbett de
feated John L. Sullivan, of Boston, before
the Olympic Club, of New Orleans, fora
stake of S2O,O<K) ami a purse of $25,000,
thereby securing tho title of American
champion. The battle was finished in the
twenty-first round, Sullivan being com
pletely knocked out.
From the time of Tom Hyer In 1849 up
to tho defeat of Sulivan in 1892 every
pugilist who had earned the tittle of Am
erican champion had fought for it with
bare knuckles and according to the Lon
don prize ring rules, but by tho term of
tho agreement between Cortiett and Sulli
van their battle was with gloves and.un
der the Marquis of ijueensborry rules,
tho championship being won for the first
time under such conditions—and the con
ditions of to-day's contest were practi
cally the same.
MITCHELL’S BEOORD.
Charles Mitchell was born of Irish pa
rents in Birmingham, England, Nov. 24,
1861. His first fight was with Bob Cun
ningham at Heeby Oak, Birmingham, on
Jan. 11,1878, for A5 a side. He aefoated
his antagonist in fifty minutes. Next he
worsted (!. Kniithers, on Nov. 22, 1879,
then fought with gloves to a draw with
Bill Kennedy, and finally defeated Blaly
Grey, “the black”—who weighed 176
pounds, Mitchell weighing 182—at Man
chester, in one round of eleven minutes.
These mills wero followed b.v one with
Caryadoff, the Belgium giant, in Antwerp,
for I,(XX) francs, the young Britisher beat
ing his opponent in four rounds and six
teen min u los. His next victory was over
Tom Tully, and on June 16, 1881,he fought
Jack Burke to a draw at Ascott, darkness
ending thn fight, in December, 1882,
Mitchell won the championship of Eng
land in Billy Madden's Dmdon competi
tion. Tho belt which he earned in those
contests is a massive silver one.
Soon after Mitchell’s arrival In this
country in 1888 he defeated Mike Cleary,
and at Madison Square Garden, on May
22, he boxed will) John L. Sullivan, and
succeeded in knocking the American
champion down, but the police stopped
the fight in the third round—which, ft is
generally believed, saved the Englishman
from receiving a terrible punishment. A
“mooting'’ between vVllliam Khoriff, the
Prussian, and Mitchell at Harry Hill’s, on
ixmg island, was decided to be a draw,
and on March 86, 1884, Mitchell defeated
Joe Denning in four rounds, his next bat
tle being with Juke Kilrain, in Boston—*
draw.
in May, 1884, Mitchell defeated • Billy
Edwards in a notable battle at Madison
Square Garden, and in the following Octo
ber fought four rounds with Dominick
McCaffrey, at the samo place, the referee
declaring the fight a draw.
’1 he next match inudo by Mitchell was
with Jack Burko, of England, at Chicago,
and at tlio end of the tenth round Mitch
ell was declared the winner. A "meet”
with i’atsy Cardiff at Minneapolis ended,
in a draw, and In the summer of 1886
Mitchell returned to England After hi*
return to America, in 1887, he defeated
Steve Gallagher at Cleveland, O. On
March 10,1888, Mitchell fought his memo
rable battle with John L. Sullivan at
Chantilly. France, for 41500 sterling a side,
the contest lasting three hours and eleven
minutes, ami ending in a draw at the
close of the thirty-ninth round. Since
that time Mitchell lias given many ex
hibitions. both in America and in Europe,
besides playing several theatrical engage
ments. but lio lias not been matched with
a pugilist of his class in any notable bat
tle.
COST OF TnR CONTEST.
To-day's battle was for a purse of s2o,*
OCX) offered by the Duval Athletic. Club of
Jacksonville, of which Harry Mason is
president and J. K. T. Bowden general
munauor. The club also paid the two
pugilists $2,b00 each for training expenses
and erected in East Jacksonville a build
ing in which to “pull off” the fight, the
cost of which, including the site privilege,
etc., was nearly c4,ihk). Traveling aud of
fice expenses, together with attorney’s
fees and numerous other items of various
kinds, have brought the total cost of the
affair up to fully 840,0(Xi. Tho arena was
arranged to seal about 13.000 people, and,
had not the firm attitude of the governor
of Florulu against the fight from the very
beginning, operated disastrously upon the
sale of boxes aud seuts. tho profits of the
venture would undoubtedly have reached
fully 50 per cent, on the investment.
WHERE THE MEN TRAINED.
Corbett went into training for this flfjht
on Dec. 16, at Mayporl, a small fishing
town at the mouth of the Kt. Johns river,
and about tweut.v-three miles from Jack
sonville. The training party here occu
pied four cottages, and lias at times num
bered as high as twenty—lncluding Mrs.
Corbett and o’her members of the Ameri
can chumpiun’s family and his friends.
William A. Brady, his munager, has been
with him almost constantly from the first,
aud his training has been in the bands of
Billy Delany, assisted by John McVey,
Prof. John Donaldson, Dan Creedon and
others.
It was nearly two weeks later when
Mitchell wcDt into training on Anastasia
Island, opposite the citv of St. Augustine,
and nearly forty miles from Jacksonville.
liis parly has numbered less than ten
people, and has occupied three cottages
ou the Atlantic side of the island. The
Englishman has been in the hands of his
munager, Billy Thompson, while his train
ing has been done by Steve O'Dounell,
Harry Darrin, Jack Fogarty and others.
Bat Masterson. the well-known sporting
man of Denver. Col., has been with
Mitchell ever since his arrival in Florida,
and has been bis adviser in many import
ant particulars preliminary to the fight.