Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-20
Wre,tIing in Macedonia

Colonel James Baker, in his Turkey IN
Europe, gives the following account of a
wrestlidg match he witnessed while
traversing the great plain of Mace
dOnia -
Il passed through very fine town
called Barakli-Djumaa. in the middle OI
the plain, and inhabited principally by
Christian Bulgarians. \ great wreSt-
ling match was going on just outside
the town, and | stopped TO witness the
sport. \ circle of about thirty yards in
diameter was formed by the men.
women and children-Turks, Bulga-
rians, and Il plentiful supply of gyp>ieS
all sitting closely packed together
round the circumference. There was
the usual accompaniment Of gypsy
band. composed of drum and 4 clGrI-
onet, which was kept going contind-
ously. 4 competitor. stripped To the
waist. steps into the ring and walk
round with a grand air a. he display
his muscular frame To the admiring
gaze of the bystanderS. Presently hi>
antagonist enters the ring, and both
competitors shake hands in gnod-uatured
way, and little laughing and chatting
goes on. Then they commence walk
ing round, every now and then turning
in to shake hands again. until suddenly
one pOunceS upon the other 20 get the
catch and the struggle commences.
No kicking is allowed, and the throw
must lay the vanquished man upon his
back. so that both ShOulderbiades touch
the ground at the same time. The cham
pion was a burly Bulgarian Of heTcUleau
strength. when, AT the invitation OF some
black-eyed gypsy girls, fine but slim
young fellow of their tribe entered the
lists against him; but, although consid-
ering his youth he made Il gallant
struggle. quick throw laid him >praw-
ling on his back. to the evident chagrin
and disappointment of the gypsy women.
Their eyes flashed with anger a they
now held a hurried consultation. when
off started a very pretty girl, evidently
bound upon some eTrand. She soon
returned with one of the most splendid
specimens OF humanity | ever saw. Ii,
as is asserted, there were princes and
dukes among the ancient tribes of gyp-
sizes who emigranted to Europe. this
must certainly have been a deScendent
of one of them. His fair escort pushed
him into the ring with an air 0i pride
and confidence. a much as 20 say. Now
you shall see what "A gypsy can do
The young man was about - years of
age, and nearly six feet high, with :
handsome, ,aristOcratic and CHEEKY coun-
tenance. and a he took Oft his jacket
and handed il 10 his fair one, and thus
stood stripped to the waist, there was
buzz of admiration from the whole
crowd. He was slightly made, but AN
was sinew Laughingly and half
modestly he shook his powerful antag-
onist bv the hand and then the walk
round was commenced. the young gipsy
talking and laughing all the time. II
seemed a. though neither liked to be the
first to begin, when suddenly the Bulga-
rian turned sharp upon his antagonist
and tried favOrite catch. hut quick a.
lighting the 1.-THE figure Of the gypsy
eluded the grasp and a sigh of relief
went up froIh his elan. The excitement
was now intense, and the young girl
perfectly quivered with nervous anxiety
as she watched every movement of her
swain She would have made spleu-
did picture, They were still walking
round, and il seemed rs though the
struggle would never begin. when, 10
a simultaneous cry went forth from the
whole crowd, a. the great Bulgarian lay
sprawling and half stunned upon the
ground. The movements of the gypsy
had been so quick that il was impossible
to say how the throw was done. but tne
Bulgarian was turned almost a sOmeT-
saulI in the air and came down with
heavy thud. The young champion shook
him by the hand, lifted the heavy man
high into the air, and then set him ON
his feet"