Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-19
Death Of a Noted wrestler.

Uzile Prickett, the champion wrestler,
who was murdered at Hamilton on FRI
day night last, was well known in certain
circles in this city. He was native oi
New Jersey, where he was brought up on
farm. He wrestIed his first match in
Virginia about eight years ago, being a
green boy then. He had quite reputa-
ton as wrestler about home, and was
met in some way by man named jack
son, brother of the man who shot Ellis
worth, who took him to Virginia 10
wrestle man claiming to be champion
Of England, whom he threw He was an
ungainly looking fellow then, and was
jeered at as he entered the ring, but com
ing out victor changed the current OF
sentiment, and he became a favorite.
Since that time he has done little else
but engage in wrestling matches.
He first came here about two years
ago, when he made q match with one
Mccain to wrestle on the stage at Mozart
Hall Tickets sold at one dollar each,
and there was large crowd present.
After long delay il was announced that
the match was of when the ticket
money was refunded, From here Prick
EFT went South. In Nashville he came
near being killed by mob for " throw
ing wrestling match with negro.
He was offered SIC, 900 by betting men il
he would let the. negro throw him. He
agreed to it. Afterward it was so notoi
rious that he had Thrown" the match
that mob Of several hundred men as
sembled at the hotel where he was stop
ping and threatened to lynch HIM. He
was gotten out of back door, and es-
capped from the unhealthy neighborhood.
he didn't get his $40, ,000 however. They
paid him $500, but as be had himself
$500 on the match, he quit 5000 loser.
Prickett had wife and one child living
with her uncle at place called Monitor,
in Indiana, seven miles back of Lafay-
ette. She has been notified of his death.
Prickett first appeared at Hamilton
about two years ago, to wrestle George
Shea. A short time ago be came again,
and made match to wrestle Tim. Wall
Ter for $50 side. Waller is of Prince
,ton,-six miles from Hamilton. The
match came off at Debbesvllle, just
within the corporate limits OF Hamilton.
About two hundred people were present.
On account OF the well known prowess
of Prickett, considerable money was bet
on him. 1t was best two throws in three,
side hold. Waller threw him twice in
succession, winning the stakes. Waller
weighs about LAG pounds, Pricket about
200 ~ tIL4f
The general sentiment was that Prick
ett threw of the, match. Several lost
heavily. II is said one man lost 5000 on
Pricket. That night Prickett visited
several saloons, drinking heavily. at
about midnight he was in Robert Gallo
ways basement saloon, near the post
Office, called Hole-in the wall A rough
named John Griffin entered with q party,
and when they went out, Prickett, who
was asleep by beer table, was found IN
a dying condition, his face being badly.
cut and q bullet being shot into the back
of bis head satww
Considerable mystery surrounds the
affair, which the 'cofoner's jury, held on
saturday, was unable to uprayel The
saloon keeper profeases TO have been in
the back room when Griffin and party
went out He didn't hear any pistol
shot, and didn't know Prickett was hurt
until he found him as described. Prick
EFT was inseDsible from the time he was
shot, aud died in about three hours.
1t appeared in evidence that Griffin,
after midnight, was in the American
saloon, aud had hand tied up in a
bloody handkerchief He said he had
had fight with Pickett.
The corouer's inquest held Griffin for
the murder, with Geo. Studd, 10. Kelley
Ia banjo player, formerly of Cincinnatil J,
and I. Connerton, as accessories. All
four are now in jail. The affair has
created considerable exeitsmept in Ham
iltou. lie was killed, d is-supposed, for
throwing OF the match.