Corbett-Courtney Fight

0054 

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Corbett-Courtney Fight

EDI 1897-04

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1 Edison (MU 54)  
 

KNOCKED OUT BY CORBETT.
The Champion Beats Peter Courtney in Six Rounds.
FOR THE EDISON KINETOSCOPE.
ln the lnterests of Science and for a Priceof $5,000 Champion Jim Stops a Trenton Heavy Weight
After a Fierce Battle-Each Round Lasted a Fraction Over a Minute and Five-Ounce Gloves
Were Used sothat Corbett's Task Was Not an Easy One-Courtney is Game tothe End.
Champion James J. Corbett knocked out Peter Courtney, a cleverTrenton heavy weight in six rounds at Edison 'slaboratory, Llewellan Park, yesterday morning. The fight was in the interests of science, as it took place in theBlack Maria before the kinetograph, and was for a purse of $5,000 of which the loser received $250.
Everything had been arranged to have the battle on Thursday, and the principals and seconds were on hand at theChristopher Street Ferry early in the morning, but as the sky was overcast, word was telephoned from the scene ofaction that nothing could be donewithout clear weather and a bright sun. It was then agreed to meet again yesterdaymorning at the same time and place, providing the elements were propitious.
Accordingly at 8:15 o'clock yesterday morning the select party of sports began to arrive at the ferry entrance. A heavy log hung over the North River, but as the sun's rays were slowly but surely burning through the mist, a successful trip was anticipated. THE SUN reporter found John P. Eckhardt, who refereed the fight, first upon the scene. Soon after Champion Corbett and his retainers hove in sight, followed by the usual curious crowd. The big pugilist was attired in a well-fitting suit of light checked cloth, an immaculate white shirt, standing collar, and black necktie in which nestled a cluster of diamonds, while a broad-brimmed straw hat shaded his sunburned features. He carried a massive cane, and on the little finger of his right hand three big gold rings set with diamonds and rubies attracted the attention of the onlookers. Corbett was in a pleasant frame of mind, and cordially received the complimentary remarks and salutations hurled at him from all sides. Close beside him walked big John McVey, who has assisted in the champion's training in his fights with Sullivan and Mitchell. Little Bud Woodthorpe, his private secretary, ran along behind, lugging a suspicious-looking valise, and Frank Belcher, another attendant, carried several paper bundles. Several intimate friends were also in the champion's party, but Manager W.A. Brady was among the missing.
"Where 's Courtney?" queried Corbett, when he stopped in front of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad ticket office and lighted a black cigar.
"Oh, he's gone on ahead!" came the reply from a stout individual who seemed to be on the inside. "He took an early train, so as to get a good breakfast before facing the music."

"All right," said Corbett, "we'll wait a few minutes for Brady." By this time it had been noised about that the famous prize fighter was inside the ferry house, and hundreds of persons flocked down the dock to catch a glimpse of him. A policeman came up and extended his hand to Mitchell's conqueror, at the same time asking:
"Where are you going, Mr. Corbett? Out on the road?"
"Oh, I’m just taking a little run out into the country," rejoined thebig fellow, "and my friends here are going along, too, to see that I don't get lost."
"Ah, I see," mused the copper. "Well, I’m awful glad to see you looking so well, and I wish you luck." Then the blue-coat chased the small boys away with renewed vigor.
"Whew!" whistled Corbett. "That was a narrow escape. If that fellow had known I was going out in Jersey to knock out a stiff, he'd have made trouble, perhaps."
OFF FOR THE FIGHTING GROUND.
At this moment the managers of the concern which has charge of the kinetograph came into the ferry house and said that a start should be made at once for the battle ground. Bags and satchels were picked up, and the whole party swung onto the ferryboat Secaucus, bound for Hoboken. Manager Brady had been left behind at which Corbett seemed to feel a bit nervous. On the boat the champion was surrounded by a crowd of gaping men and boys, all of whom asked the question: "Where's he going, any how?"
But Corbett never opened his mouth except to
chat with THE SUN man about the prospects of his battle.
"This fellow Courtney," said he, "is big and lusty, although unknown to the sporting world. I never saw him before yesterday, and know nothing about him. These kinetograph people secured him and have offered a purse of $5,000 for a finish fight. Il is stipulated that I must put the guy out in six rounds or I get nothing for, as I understand it, the machine is so arranged that a longer fight is undesirable. If I put the man out I get $4,750 and he will take the balance for his trouble. You can bet Ill do the trick, too, for it's too much money to let slip out of one's grasp."
By the time Corbett finished the above statement the boat had run into her slip and the short walk to the cars began. It seemed as if Corbett's coming had already been announced, for the crowd was waiting for him as he entered the depot. The party was just in time for the 8:45 train for the Oranges, and seats in the smoking car where the sports rode were at a premium.
The handlers of the
affair were most mysterious. They told Corbett on the quiet that the utmost secrecy must prevail or the whole crowd would be "pinched" for aiding and abetting a prize fight, a violation of the New Jersey State laws. Exposure, they explained, meant an almost certain sojourn behind the bars, and nobody relished that they were sure. Then is in order to divert suspicion they suggested that the party divide into two sections and each leave the train at different stations. Corbett readily agreed to this, so when the Brick Church was reached, the Californian, accompanied by McVey, Belcher, and two friends left the cars and boarded a trolley car. At the next station, Johnny Eckhardt, Woodthorpe, the manager of the affair, and THE SUN reporter jumped upon the platform and at once repaired to a neighboring restaurant to get a bite to eat.
CORBETT'S OPPONENT.
It
was here that Pugilist Peter Courtney was discovered. He was a rather tough-looking citizen, with a bull neck, big shoulders, immense hands, and the proverbial thin legs. His eyes were small and set well back under his low brow. His jaws were square, and his nose looked as if it had taken many a good punch. Courtney was attired in an ill-fitting light suit with a négligé shirt and a straw hat, the brim of which looked as if it had been doing business with a poll parrot. He carried a small black handbag and smoked a fat cigar. As the critics sized him up, they united in declaring him a "pretty hard-looking nut to crack," and one man ventured the opinion that a mallet blow squarely delivered on the top of his head would never phase him. Peter was as cool and unconcerned when THE SUN reporter approached him as if he had been on his way to a country picnic.

"I ain’t no spring chicken," he declared, "and I don 't think this here champion will have such a picnic with me as he thinks. I was born in Pennsylvania and am 26 years old. A year and a half ago I went to Trenton to get a job, and that's how I got in the fighting business. There was a duck there named E. Warner, and they said he was the champeen of Jersey. Well, Jack McNally, a boxing instructor in Trenton, give me a few lessons, and I just put this here Warner to sleep in just one round. Soon after that I did up Jim Glynn in two rounds, Jim Dwyer in three, Jack Welch in four, and recently I went agin Bob Fitzsimmons, who couldn't put me out in four rounds. These people made it an object for me to stack up agin Corbett, and here I am, ready for business."
COURTNEY IS FIRST AT THE FIGHTING GROUNDS.
Courtney had with him several friends who were constantly telling him to keep a stiff upper lip, but such advice was unnecessary, as a cooler, more confident fighter could hardly be found. After breakfast a trolley car was boarded, and after an invigorating ride the brick buildings and tall chimneys of the famous electrical works were seen straight ahead. At the entrance to the laboratory the party was confronted by a high picket fence, through which a watchman scrutinized all hands. The managers of the fight soon explained matters, so that a big gate was swung back and the battle ground had been reached. Corbett and those who had left the train at Brick Church had not yet arrived: neither had Brady. But that cut no figure with Courtney. He walked around the grounds looking at everything in open-mouthed wonder, apparently oblivious to the tact that he was about to face a human cyclone that meant insensibility to him before the jig was up. Peter soon look a chair in the photographer's office and chatted quietly with his seconds. The man from Trenton was still in good spirits and the small crowd of persons who were there to see the fun marvelled at his self-control.
"Ain’t you afraid Corbett will knock your head off?" asked one of the workmen who stood around the fighters.
"Naw!" said Courtney. "He's got to hit hard to do that, for me nut is well set."
CORBETT ARRIVES.
"Here he comes," shouted a small boy when the creaking of the big gate announced the arrival of the champion. Everybody shook hands with Corbett as he sauntered down the gravel walk to the place where his opponent was sitting.
"How do you do?" exclaimed Corbett, extending his hand to Trenton's pride.
"Howdy?" replied Peter in turn, as he looked the tall fighter full in the face.
"It’s a nice day for this little affair of ours," remarked Jim, smiling grimly.
"Ain't it!" was the slow rejoinder, and Courtney turned on his heel.
"He looks like a tough customer," said Corbett, "and I think he'll lake quite a punching."
The sun was now shining brightly, and the heat became so oppressive that everybody hunted for shady spots, while the fighters took chairs in a small wooden building where greasy workmen were pottering over all sorts of things electric.
THE BLACK MARIA.
Over at the Black Maria, which has been full described in THE SUN, several attendants were busy fixing the kinetograph, so that there might be no slips or mistakes in photographing the impending struggle. The Maria, as the building in which Edison's wonderful machine is located is called, reminded everybody of a huge coffin. It was covered with black tar paper, secured to the woodwork by big metal-topped nails, and was the most dismal-looking affair the sports had ever seen. Inside the walls were painted black, and there wasn't a window of any description, barring a little slide which was directly beside the kinetograph and could be opened or closed at the will of the operator. Hall of the roof, however, could be raised or lowered like a drawbridge by means of ropes, pulleys, and weights, so that the sunlight could strike squarely on the space before the machine.
The ring was 14 feet square. It was roped on two sides, the other two being the heavily padded walls of the building. The floor was planed smooth and covered with rosin. All battles in this arena must be fought under a special set of rules. A round lasts a little over one minute, with a rest of a minute and a hall to two minutes between the rounds.
Consequently, the smallness of the ring and the shortness of the rounds, necessitate hot fighting all the time.
GETTING READY FOR THE BATTLE.
It was nearly 11 o'clock when the managers told the pugilists to get ready. Corbettprepared for the battle in the photographer's private room, while Courtney disrobed in a shanty just beyond. Corbettstripped in a jiffy, Woodthorpe untying his shoes for him and arranging his clothes over the back of a chair. When he was in the nude the champion presented a magnificent spectacle. Though a trifle fat, his long, sinewy arms showed thathe was in pretty good trim. His legs were rather thin, as they always have been, but he showed there was great strength in them by the up-and-down movement of the muscles when he walked across the floor. He didn't put on his flesh-colored Jersey, or his blue trunks, such as he wears when he gives his sparring exhibitions, but he simply pulled on a red elastic breech-clout and slipped his feet into black fighting shoes. ln other words, he made careful preparation for a fight and not a boxing bout for points. He was in excellent spirits, although he worried considerably over Brady's absence. But when the hustling manager arrived later, with the excuse that he didn't wake up in time to catch the early train, Corbettevidently felt relieved.
Courtney, meanwhile, was getting ready, with the assistance of his friends. He showed thathe was in the finest possible shape, for his flesh was clear, his muscles flexible, and his body as hard as nails. He put on a pair of black trunks and the regulation fighting shoes. As he sat on a canvas cot bed, slapping the knuckles of his left hand with the fingers of his right, he looked like a typical prize fighter. His hair was cut close with the exception of a small pompadour thatmade Corbettlaugh when he saw it. Peter was still self-possessed, and toall questions as to how he felt he had but one reply: "First rate!" Some of the spectators thought he looked pale around the gills, but big McVey, after talking with him, said: "He's a dead game fellow and fears nothing."
FIVE OUNCE GLOVES.
Woodthorpe's suspicious looking valise was now opened in Corbett's quarters and two sets of gloves were produced. One set were two ounces and the other five. Corbettput on a pair of the big gloves and playfully punched Mc Vey in the chin to try them. Then he sat down and pondered:
"What's the matter?" asked the ever anxious Brady.
"Why," answered Corbett, "I’m in a quandary. You see, each round only lasts a minute, and with these big bags on my handsI might not be able to put this fellow out. l'm thinking it might be well to put the small gloves on and be sure of doing the job clean."
At this a messenger was despatched to Courtney to ask him which gloves he preferred. The Trenton boy replied thatit made no difference to him, thatwhatever suited Corbettwas agreeable.
"l'm here to fight," said he, "and I’ll put on big or small gloves, just as the champeen says."
Corbettthen nearly made up his mind to wear the two-ounce gloves, but Mc Vey dissuaded him from it. He said:
"You will cut this man up awful, Jim, and then people would say it was brutal. Better wear the big mitts, and if you find you can't do him, why you can shift with his consent to the small ones. But you can do him as it is, for you can make the pillows hurt."
Still Corbettdidn't know what to do. He argued that, as the rounds were so short and the rests so long, Courtney would have plenty of time to recover from heavy blows. He also explained thatif Courtney succeeded in staying five rounds he (Corbett) would have to work unusually hard in the sixth round to put him out in order to win the purse. Jim had a strong leaning toward the small gloves up to within a short time before entering the ring, but Brady and McVey finally succeeded in driving the idea out of his mind.
INTO THE RING THEY GO.
There was a half hour's delay now over some defect in the kinetograph, and the fighters sat restlessly in the quarters, while the sports wandered about the grounds waiting for the fun to begin. But at 11:40 o'clock the chief operator saidall was ready, and the march to the Black Maria began. Corbettand Courtney walked from their dressing rooms fully fifty yards across the yard to the entrance to the fighting house, while their seconds followed carrying towels, bottles, sponges, and pails of water. Il was so warm thatnearly everybody carried his coat over his arm and fanned himself with his hat.
The moment Corbettstepped into the ring, he stopped short and exclaimed: "My, but this is small. There's no chance to bring any foot movement into play here, that's sure. A fellow has got to stand right up and fight for his life." Then he examined the ropes and padding very carefully and tried the flooring with his feet, before taking a chair in the corner. Courtney came into the building a moment or two later. He looked calmly at the arrangements, but made no comments. He smiled and nodded to those around him, as much as to say, "Watch me!" As he sat dawn he looked hastily at Corbett, and meeting the champion's steady gaze, he grinned a second or two and then scowled. There was still something the matter with the machine, and as the roof had been raised so as to let in the sunlight, the heat was overpowering. Both men began to perspire, and finally Corbettjumped up and drew his chair back into a shady place. Courtney, who never did anything until Corbettlook the initiative, also changed his seat, and the seconds were kept busy fanning the men with towels.
EVERYTHING READY AT LAST.
At 11:45 o'clock everything was ready. The men were first requested to pose in fighting attitudes for an ordinary photograph. Then the chief operator told them to get ready for the fight. John P. Eckhardt of this city was the referee and W.A. Brady held the watch. ln Corbett's corner were his seconds, John McVey and Frank Belcher, with Bub Woodthrope, bottle holder. ln Courtney's corner were John Tracey and Edward Allen, seconds, and Sam Lash, bottle holder. Corbettweighed 195 pounds, he said, and Courtney 190. The men were ordered to shake hands and received instructions as to clinching. Then they went to their corners and waited for the signal to begin the battle. The operators wereall ready now, and when the ward was given the kinetograph began to buzz.
FIRST ROUND.
Courtney evidently thought that his play was to force the fighting, for he rushed savagely at Corbett and swung a heavy right for the jaw. Corbett dodged the blow and laughed. Peter, however, rushed again, and it was swing and punch for several seconds. Corbett avoided nearly every one of Courtney's heavy swings by the cleverest kind of ducking and when the Trenton man rushed for a third time, but found nothing in front of him but the ropes, the champion gave a hoarse laugh. Now, it was Jim's turn to be aggressive and he rushed fiercely at his man, jabbing him repeatedly in the face with straight lefts and knocking Peter's head back with every blow. Try as hard as he might, Courtney could not ward off the hail storm of punches that landedall over his face and body. But he never for a moment winced. On the contrary, Courtney seemed to like to mix it with the champion, and when Jim landed a wicked upper cut on the chin, just as the round closed, Courtney grinned. time of the round, 1 minute and 16 seconds.
SECOND ROUND.
It was clearly a case of science versus slugging. Courtney began rushing, and swung some terrible blows, but Corbett avoided them all. Courtney finally landed a pretty stiff one on the champion's head, and got a terrific right-hand swing on the jaw in return. Corbettfollowed this up with a vicious upper cut that made Peter see stars. Then Courtney rushed madly and blindly at Corbett, swinging right and left handers that never landed, but made Jim keep well out of harm's way. Corbett was not hitting hard at all, evidently waiting for an opening to put in a sockdolager when Peter least expected it. Courtney got two smashing lefts in the face and a right hand ripper in the wind, but he was still in the game, and continued to biff at Jim forall he was worth. Corbett kept well out of the way of the vicious blows, however, and laughed good naturedly at the efforts of his rival to do him an injury. time of this round, one minute and twenty-four seconds.
When Corbett went to his corner he said to McVey: "This fellow is taking some awful punches without wincing, and I’m afraid the big gloves are going to make trouble for me. He is getting a good rest after each round and comes up like a new man." To this McVey replied: "Well, try him hard this next round and find out if you can hurt him with the pillows. Then if you can't, it's time to worry." Corbettreadily agreed to this, and looked determined when the third round was ordered.
THIRD ROUND.
Corbett planned to try a left-hook punch, a right-hand swing, and a cross counter. Courtney at once rushed at Jim like a wild man. He swung his arms around his head like a windmill and aimed blow after blow for Corbett's face. Finally he landed a hot right on Corbett's wind, and Jim went at him with blood in his eye. Courtney was fighting desperately at the time, but when Corbett landed his left-hook punch flush on the jaw, Peter was knocked flat onto the floor. He was game as a pebble, however, and after being dawn seven seconds, he arose and went on with the battle. Corbettshowered a dozen blows on his neck and face, but he showed remarkable nerve and pluck. time of the round,1 minute and 12 seconds.
Corbett's quickness in this round was wonderful. When he feinted Courtney always jumped live feet away, but when Jim really let fly a hard blow it came so quickly that Courtney couldn't avoid it. Peter's heavy swings were generally wasted for Jim's judge of distance was simply perfect, and he escaped many a blow by pulling himself just far enough away to let Peter's fists fly just one or two inches from him. When Courtney went to his corner, Corbett called across the ring: "DidI hurt you?" "Naw," answered Peter. "There's a buzzing sound in me head, but I guess it's the heat." Everybody had to laugh, including Corbett, while Peter sponged his face off and got ready for the next set-to.
FOURTH ROUND.
Corbettknew that the big gloves would workall right now, but concluded not to take any chances, as Courtney was very strong and still full of fight. So when Peter rushed, Corbettclinched him and then laughingly threw him off. They mixed it up a bit, with Courtney landing more blows than inall of the previous rounds combined. Suddenly, just as time was about to be called, the Trenton fighter land a heavy swing behind Corbett's left ear, and Jim retaliated with a body blow that doubled Courtney up so he was glad to sit dawn to catch his breath. Time of the round,1 minute and 20 seconds.
lt was now a certainty that Courtney would not last the six rounds, but his gameness was incomprehensible. He was taking some tierce punching on the neck and jaw, but he seemed to be made of iron. True, the rounds were not long enough to well demonstrate his staying powers, but it must be remembered thatCorbett's heavy blows were enough to takeall the fight out of an ordinary boxer.
FIFTH ROUND.
Courtney was still game when he toed the mark. He knew very well that Corbett would sooner or later knock himout, but he didn't flinch a particle, and faced the music like a man. He tried his old rushing tactics, and swung wildly for the jaw, but, as before, Corbett ducked and was never touched. Then Peter tried for the wind, but Corbett banged him on the mouth with a hot right, drawing blood. Jim followed this up with two terrific body blows, and a heavy cross-counter on the jaw that sent Courtney up against the wall with a bump. But Peter came back with a tremendous right that just grazed Corbett's jaw and went over his shoulder. Corbett then punched his man when and where he pleased until time was up, finally doubling him up again with a punch in the wind. Time of the round,1 minute and 23 seconds.
The moment Corbett sat down he whispered to McVey:
"Now I’ll put him out. I’m going to rush him and sing his jaws with both hands. His defence is weak andI can easily beat down his guard. l've got to do it quick, though, for there's only a little over a minute, and that's a precious short time in which to knock a man out. He is dead game and will take some frightful smashes before he goes to sleep."
McVey told Corbett he had a cinch, and when the men jumped up to the centre of the ring a gain Billy Brady smiled as he thought of the fun he'd have counting the $4,750 after the battle.
SIXTH ROUND.
Corbett cut loose at once. He rushed at his antagonist like an infuriated wild beast and began to beat down his guard. Jim was no longer "Corbett, the actor and gentleman," but "Corbett, the prize fighter," who had no mercy. He swung a pile-driving left that landed squarely on the jaw. Courtney staggering from the force of the blow. Then Jim sent his right square on the chin and knocked Peter to the floor in the champion's corner. But Courtney was game to the end, instead of quitting, as many other fighters would have done under the circumstances, he struggled to his feet still swinging fiercely at the elusive Corbett, who followed him closely to land the knock-out blow. Along one side of the ring Courtney reeled, fighting back withall his might, although he was too dazed to know where to direct his blows. His pluck and sand were remarkable, and even Corbett's seconds felt for the poor fellow. Jim had to finish him, however, as a matter of business, so he nailed him one on the jaw with his left, and then felled him like an ox with his right on the same place. Courtney rolled over gasping and then hall crawled to his knees, but his strength had left him, and he pitched foreward on his face insensible. Referee Eckhardt counted off ten seconds, and declared Peter out.
CORBETT CARRIES COURTNEY TO HIS CORNER.
Corbett immediately rushed across the ring, picked Courtney up in his arms and carried him to his corner, where he helped bring him to his senses by pinching his ears and slapping his hands. A few moments later, when Trenton's Pride opened his eyes, he smiled faintly and said:
"I wasall right untilI struck the floor. ThenI couldn't quite place myself. This Corbett is much stronger and a harder hitter than Fitzsimmons, and can lick him, sure. I’ve tackled both andI know what it is."
Corbett shook him warmly by the hand and exclaimed:
"Say, my boy,I give you credit for being one of the pluckiest menI ever faced. You put up a great fight and did wonderfully well. You took an awful punching, andI want to congratulate you."
AFTER THE FIGHT WAS OVER.
Then the fighters, their seconds, and friends hurried out of the Black Maria and were soon ready for the trip back to New York. Before leaving the laboratory Corbettwas introduced to Edison's two sons, who seemed delighted to grasp the hand that did up Courtney.
Corbettwas elated over his success, but he said that Courtney had really faced him but two rounds under Queensberry rules, or six minutes in all. He said he knew the public would give credit to Courtney for staying six rounds, but they would not consider that each round was of a minute's duration. Courtney at once claimed thathe stayed longer than Charley Mitchell, as the Englishman was knocked out by Corbettin three rounds, but he soon changed his mind on that point.
Two year ago yesterday Corbett beat Sullivan at New Orleans, so that Jim's latest triumph can be regarded as a sort of anniversary. When the party reached the railroad station, a crowd of 2,000 or more men, women, and children covered the platform and filled the waiting rooms.
The tact that there had been a fight at the laboratory was known by everybody, but the particulars were lacking. Corbett took a seat in the waiting room and was immediately surrounded. One man walked coolly forward and touched Corbett on the lapel of his coat. Then he walked back just as coolly, while the crowd couldn't understand his audacity. The fellow, as Corbettexplained, simply wanted to tell his friends that he had touched Corbett, but not financially, of course. Finally a young man with glasses perched close to the tip of his nose pucked up courage enough to say:
"Are you Mr. Corbett?"
"Yes," was Jim's reply. "What canI do for you?"
"Well, you had a fight up at Edison's to-day, andI want to know did you knock anybody out?"
"No! No!" laughed Corbett, "I just had a friendly boxing match with my trainer, McVey over there, so thatMr. Edison could work his new-fangled machine."
"Oh, that was it, eh? Well, you must be very clever. That McVey is an awful big man." Then the young man walked away, while Corbettlonged for the arrival of the 2 o'clock train. When it finally did roll into the station, Jim and his followers, together with Courtney, jumped into the smoking car and were soon on the ferryboat. Theyall gave a sigh of relief when they landed at the foot of Barkley street, out of the reach of Jersey Justice.all hands repaired to Johnny Eckhardt's place, where lunch was served, and Corbettopened wine. Courtney by this time had recovered his former equilibrium, and after drinking several glasses of fizz as if it were beer he exclaimed:
"I tell you what it is, boys, this here stuff is liable to change your color if you take enough of it." Then he took another gulp, and at a late hour last night he had no idea of returning to Trenton.
lt was the original intention of the producers of the affair to have John L. Sullivan stand up before Corbett for six rounds, but Sullivan wanted $25,000 for his services.


The Sun, New York, 8 septembre 1894, 1-2.

2 William K. L. Dickson. James J. Corbett, Peter Courtney.
 
THE KINETOSCOPE SCRAP
Will Essex Grand Jurors Indict Edison and Corbett.
Special to the Jersey City News.
NEWARK, Sept. 12, 1894.—Much interest is manifested in the doings of the Essex County Grand Jury, now in session in this place, on account of the expected indictments against the persons who were implicated in the prize fight at Edison’s laboratory between Corbett and Courtney.
It is understood that subpoenas were issued today for Mr. Edison, W. K. L. Dickson and a number of persons who witnessed the fight. Mr. Dickson was in charge of the electrical apparatus while it was recording the movements of Corbett and Courtney during the contest.
The Grand Jury has considerable business to dispose of regarding other cases, and it is expected that the Grand Jury will not make a presentment to the Court for some days yet. The County Prosecutor will not give any information as to what he will do in case- indictments are presented to the Court in connection with the prize fighting affair.
Corbett and Courtney are both out of the State of New Jersey, and should they be wanted by the court, they will have to be brought to Newark on requisitions, if they do not come voluntarily.
Some of Corbett’s friends were at Court House this morning seeking latest information to be had as to prospects of the Grand Jury finding dictments against Champion Corbett and Courtney.
The Jersey City News, Jersey City, mercredi 12 septembre 1894, p. 1.
3 07/09/1894. © William K. L. Dickson. 17/11/1894. 50 ft
 

0054 copyright
Corbett and Courtney before the Kinetograph, 17 novembre 1894.
© Library of Congress

0054 copyright 01
Corbett and Courtney before the Kinetograph, 17 novembre 1894.
© Library of Congress

4 États-Unis. West Orange. Black Maria.
 

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04/06/1895 MexiqueMéxico. John R. Roslyn Pelea de campeonato

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