The New York herald., 1869-03-04
ATHLETIC GAMES.

Wrestling Match Between Homer Lane and
Joe johnson tor the Championship and
&1,OOO-Great Excitemcnt-I.nne Declared
the Victor In Thirty.five Minutes.
"You could cut the smoke with xnife,n wheezed
a choking spectator last evening, his sage observa-
ton being evidently directed to the thick vapor
which noated in heavy rings over perfect sea OF
closely jammed perspiring faces at q pugilistic
haunt in the upper part OF 600 Broadway The Occa-
sion was the third trial between Homer Lane and Joe
johnson, wrestlers. for $1,000 and the champion
ship. Beyond doubt there never assembled in that
Ill ventilated arena such motley crowd, and 1t is
reasonable supposition to put forward that few
will ne necessitatec to take Turkish baths for
weeks to come. Johnson carried Off the A0nors
at two previous contests with Lane, the one at
Amsterdam and the other at Hamburg. He was &C
cordlnay tne avorte out Ine friends OF Lane never
According to the agreement the contestants were to
wrestle the best two in three, back falls collar and
entertainment was enhanced by the pleasure Of wit
Messing several amateurs trying their skill, and,
oSers snns Il soSd scsns %s1
be regarded as criterion. The audience
roared with delight and the fun was relished
stakeholder in the champion match, introduced .
Hibernian wrestler named Grace and backed
him for fifty dollars against any man in the
assembly. whereupon q noted wrestler named Leu
Cole stepped upon the arena and accepted the cha-
enge. Cole was the taller and heavier OF the two,
while his opponent was stoutly built and full OF
action. Holds having been taken the men pro-
ceeded cautiously to their work, and very fine ex-
hibition ensued. Fully twenty-five minutes ensued
without any result Cole throughout repeatedly try
ing the ''lock legr without effect Grace was wary
and nimble and foiled his opponent at every at
tempt There being no prospect OF finish the con-
test was finally abandoned and declared drawn.
The event OF the evening was then announced, ana
the interest hitherto manifested In the proceedings
now verped into clamorous excitement, most Of the
remarks essayed by the audience being not quite
% Was chosen referee Joe RYAN being umpire for Lane
and L. Martin for Joh~sor, Harry Hin being stake
holder. Al eight mlIses to nine O'Clock the con-
Johnson looked over head taller than his opponent
stronger and more enduring. while Lane, about ITO
pounds, was symmetrical, 1.-THE and 10 ane condi. %
with determined hold, and, with few
preliminary shakes, commenced operations IN
each other, and while both hopped about like har-
lequins their feet wriggied IKE those OF accom-.
wary. elastic and daring. After much sprightly
business Johnson got the toe lock on his opponent,
fall and the men having once more gripped each
other most scientific piece OF feet shuling ensued,
the betting being In favor OF Johnson. most de
lightning like move, got the toe lock on Johnson and
landed him on his back at six minutes
past nine, amid enthusiastic cheers. The Sec
ond innings was by no means SO well con-
tested for after a brief contest Lane was
whried around by cross-toe movement and both
grip his opponent and quickly changing 1t to the
crosstoe threw him amid redoubled cheering.
IL was now fall and fall, and the excitement at
Its height though II was loudly proclaimed that the
second inning was very "thln,n term which proba-
bly, alluded 70 the easy manner IN which Lane had
been disposed Of At sixteen minutes past nine the
deciding contest was commenced, and TO say the
least It was an excellent display OF first class wrest
ling. The rapidity Of the movements, the twist.
turns and changes were remarkably well per.
formed aud at Intervals ecited thnnders Of
while pedal science was busy at work Lane
forced II, while Johnson tried 10 wnrl
him to the ground by his cross toe whlcD, by the
way, seemed quite favorite with hIm. The under
grape vine he also unsuccessully ventured but twas
nevertheless cautious and at the same time exceed
ingly nmble. II q most exciting affair the eyes
OF the audience being completely riveted upon the
feet OF the wrestlers BY electric twist Johnson was
thrown heavily on the gr0und aud Lane was De-
clared the victor the audience rising up ana cneer.
ing vociferously. The conqueror was not rewarded
like the wrestlers OF ancient Greece with crown o!
laurels, but his pocket adorned with Thousand
greenbacks. which, IN this nineteenth century, was,
doubtless, far more preferable.