The New York herald., 1876-12-28
w r + S Il L | n G. /.
A Splendid Match at Boston
Music Hall.
OWENS And NLAuGHLlN THE CONTESTANTS.
The Vermont Champion
the Winner.


Hall has had there never was one more severe than
that OF this evening Tbe occasion was The great
gathering ut the long talked Of wrestling match for
$1,000 purse and championship OF tho
world between Colonel James ii. Mclaughlin.
,f Detroit, the champion Of tho West and Joseph
owens, OF Vermont, the champion oil the Eastern
States IL Is no cxaggcraion to say that there were
1000 people tho audience, including many dis-
tngushed sporting men IRON New York and the West,
as well as from more Immediate localities.
VERMONT HERCULES
James Owens, tho Vermont Hercules the cham
pion wrestler OF the Eastern States, is native OF
Fairfield VT, small place Il. AOuns and is the
son OF hardv farmer, who, IN his younger days, On
joyed considerable reputc as wrestler Indeed The
family IS notcd for IT'S physical virtues, may bc
judged from the fact that AcMahon Cox botn well
known as trppers, are COUSINS OF the contestant
in tnis match Owens IS but twenty eight years old
and has as Yet made great mark among athletes.
lie is five ieet inches height weighs ls5 pounds
and measures just fortyone inches around the ches,
Naturally he has dark complexion which has been
deepencd by exposure, while his eyes, hair and
moustache are decidedly black. He seems be
very nervous and wry, and in his bouts ex.
poets more from rapid action than strength.
though his deep chest and wclturncd limbs show
that he is fellow OF great endurance He still lives
upon tho farm where no was born and has never
gagged IN any other than agricultural pursuits. He
he driitod almost unconsciousy the habit of
wrestling acquiring It as study aud keeping Il up
he grew TO manhood. la his ncghDorhooi
all public occasions, such the annual
march mceung,n when the people got to-
gethcr IN considerable numbers. II tho
custom ter the young mon 10 have wrestling bout
Participating in these Owens became expert,
and much later acknowledged he local cham
pion. Four years ago he mato his lrst match with u
nfmcd Burt. Adams. defeating HIM
teen muuics Afterward he spent ycnr IN BrocxtOu.
Mass during which iIine hc met and vanquished IN d
rdIculously short unc man named holmes, the
so-rall.d champion OF Plymouth county. lie then
made match with Pcier MacCehnon, of Brighton ami
went home TO train Tor H. but. unfortunately spran-
Ing one OF his ankles. ho ailed 10 tmc, aud
was Obliged 10 forfeit since tben he has made no
matches, but has Kept IN practice by wrestling with
any ot his neghpors who cared TO try him on -Four
weeks ago he commenced training Tor tonisht's con-
test under the airceton OF Edward Cox, who is him.
self wrestler He says he has not bcen very strict
his diet although he nas aDslained from gross
lar convenient Ho has exercised with clubs
about an hour day and also taken daily trial with
Cox IN Collar and elbow practice Besides this he has
Kept up his regular iarm work, which gave him an
abundance of healthy exercise
COLONEL N'LAuGHix. THE WESTERN CHAMPION
Colonel John Mclaughlin, the champion from the
West, rs "A very different style OF nc Is tall,
graceful and elegantly formed ard, like owens, began
wrestling when boy, aud kept up the practice until
the day came when he iound himself famous. In the
spring OF 1870 wrestling match for the cham mplonship
oi the United States was held in Detroit, at which
thirty entries made, tho Colonel being anon.
number. To the astonishmeni OF those who did not
the best wrcsters IN the country. TINS secured him
The belt ana title OF champion OF America and shor!
time after he claimed the championship OF England
ana placed n deposit with Beps LIFE which has never
been covered During the the Colonel entered the
army as u private but 10. bravery ana merit he
rapidly promoted, leaving the service major and
brcvct lieutenant colonel For time he gave his
whole attention wrestling. but subsequently became
conductor railroad running out of Detroit,
where he Is now employed In his career as wrestler
he has met all the best from New York to san
Francisco, and he accepted this challenge with arecord
OF thirty our matches for TO only against him. He
isaperson Of exemplary habits never using simuanis
aud always enjoying robust health. la manner re Is
GENIAL and courteous, and is person OF considerable
native refinement
Tng COLLAR AND ELBOW STYLE.
in which the contestants appeared, differs avorsby
ana materially from the Cornish or Devonshire, tho
Graco-Roman or the side ho d. IL Is unquestiouably
the most scientific ana brilliant mode al wrestling,
md Is iuiI OF sharp lively ray from beginning to end
The ruies which adopted the match
substance as ioilows:-rhe men to wear knit shirts
and short coats, or jackets. not extending
teow he hips, with strong collar and
-llow Tor grasp OF The opponent and thin
rubber sandals on the feet; each man shall take hold
collar his opponent hts right hand while
With ms lett he sha. take hold OF his elbow; both
men snall stand up, breast to breast. with his
timber aud snow lair ana equal play either man Who
shah break ms hold with ono both hands,
himself rom hall stall forfeit said tall kicking The
hnius strctiy prohibited and the offence shall forfeit
the the ali must be square back fails.
htps aud shoulder Two shoulders and
hin To strike lue ground or floor To Constitute fan:
mrikine upon the lace. side knees is no iail,
nothing shall be al owed for forcing man from sncn
y air 50 long both men keep their hold; buIing
shall be allowed under any circumstances; not less than
ten or more tnu twenty m nu,cs allowed between oac
b.ui-tnc match 10 bc best two IN three falls.
TnE WRESTLING.
At eight O'Clock promptly both men appeared on the
Music Hall stage and were Introduced by Dr. John T.
ur.way. o this cty. who acted referee. During
The evening they were also accompanied by q. 4.
Smith. OF Detroit. who uiciaied judge for the
Western athlete, AM Mr. NJ Hink OF ~ Albsns,
who acted in similar capacity Tor Mr. owens.
confidence IN Colonel Mclaughlin; but wheu the bout
c,mmencei II was soon evident that ho had met
worthy competitor ~ The gritty boy rom Vermont
when the bout commenced II was clear that the
matter oi science owens Was the superior but he
lacked tue strength OF the Michigan Sausof. II was
notlrcablc ali through that owens kept ms
hcad bent constantly inward toward the breast OF his
opponent. aud another disadvantage he iaborcd
under that hts jacket kept slipping toward the
hecs, ANNOYING him greatly. Mclaughlin appeared
The least excited oi The two Al eacn attempt
OF Mclaughlin 10 give Owens the backward
throw the latter would stye himself by
throwing back OF his irgs aud then Strengthening
himsei' as urn as Bunker hin Monument. thus CIV
ing The back Its natural position. The slightest tp
applause from the audience, and during one vigorous
tap both men feii, the audience this tine IN
SasoR 10 wa ana oJdssa yens wn,sa ,n
WAS square back ia tor owens VINO made the claim.
but the referee decided that Mclaughlin icli on his
side. anu owens claim not allowed, the decision
seeming 10 give general satisfaction
Twenty minutes rest hcrc cnsucG, and then tho
ond bout was commenced.
There good dcal o earnest work at The start
each man apparently trying 10 get the Other lawn
without tue preliminary man9uvrlDG Mclaughlin
evidently leli confident OF aback hp tail several
ncs during this bout hut owens planted his icet
lie Iloor VA such dctcrIn ned manner that lac
ost his chance ana had 10 begin again. Frequent
.aps by owens Oh the legs OF Mclaughlin evidenced
the determined spirit oi the man.
In The third bout at the beginning Owens gave
Mclaughlin good square bt the right cs.
aud the same time the latter struck out ms
lett loot, thus SAVING himself from a TALL, but
this greatly lucon, n,entcncrd Colonel owens, lor lao
oDlcs to give an outward push 10 his body thus
using tue chance oi Throwing from collar hold III
fectly after thls there Was Ncly tusse, Mclaughlin
.uUcceuiug ia pushing owens 10 the platform.
In coming up owens succeeded IN getting
len leg by tue lei, lcs OF Mclaughlin
and auh a rapid twist owens compelled him
down his knees, but II could not Toe cavu
TALL. ~ Ice let 40 hts hou For this owcus
fcccyrd instant and enthusiastic recognition nom tue
audience.
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