Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-03-23

! WRESTLING FOR SllNE BElT-ONEN OF FER-
MONT, vANQuIsHEs MURPHY OF NEW YORK.
From the New York Times.
An exciting wrestling match took place at
Gilmore's Garden last evening between
James Owens of Fairfield, Vt, and Charles
Murphy of Eastport, Me, now residing in
New York, for purse of $500 and q cham
plon belt. Owens Ga inns the championship
on account of having won a match with Me
l.aughlin in Boston, but the latter denied
that he had any right to claim decisive
victory from the fact that he was suffering
with a lame foot at the time of the contest.
The belt which was wrestled for last night
was furnished by number of gentlemen Of
Vermont and this city 1t is solid band of
silver about four inches wide. richly chased
with gold clasp in the shape of shield
ornamented in the same manner, and bearing
the following inscription "Silyer Belt Pre-
scented by Citizens of New York. Champion
OF the World" The conditions under which
the belt is held are that the holder must ac-
cept all challenges, with right to name time,
| place and amount of stakes, within three
months Of challenge. but if he should allow
the three months to pass without decisive con
test the belt to pass from him to the challen-
ger. All contests shall be collar and elbow.
The belt must be held by one person for five
years against all comers, and if so held shall
become his property.
In the match last evening, William Mill
er acted as referee, Mr.. Edward Cox, of
Vermont, as umpire for Owens, and Mr.. r.
A. Pennell for Murphy. Owens is 2S years
old and weighs 10 pounds, and Murphy is
25 years old and weigh five pounds more.
Owens muscular Development is better than
Murphy's and his general appearance indi-
Gates greater degree of activity. Both
were in good condition, and each seemed to
have confidence in himself. The time was
called at s 81. and the men were promptly
to work. There was some careful teinting
at first, each trying to find out his opponents s
weak points. Murphy soon began to attack,
and after several Intellectual Efforts succeeded
in getting cross-toe lock, and wheeling his
adversary around, threw him fairly in 4 IL
minutes. After an intermission of Is min
utes time was again called, and the contest
ants again took hold of each other. The
fayorite assault of each seemed to be the
crOss-toe lock and considerable skill and dex-
terity were displayed, and some quick and
desperate encounters took place. Murphy
finally succeeded in getting another cross
toe lock, and threw Owens in IL l-2 min |
utes. In the third bout, Owens, went very
carefully to work, and, in four minutes after |
time was called, obtained an outside cross
toe lock, and threw his antagonist. Mr.. |
Pennell claimed that there was no fall, but |
the referee decided that two hips and one |
shoulder had touched the floor, and declared |
the fall for Owens. The fourth bout was
ended almost as quickly as the third. Ow-
ems again pressed the struggle, and after
some very exciting play attempted to get a
hib fall, but failing in this, he got cross
toe lock, which was broken by Murphy.
pressing his advantage, Immediately threw
him by an overcast. Mr.. Pennel again OBJ
Jected, but the reterae gave the fall to Ow-
ems.
The last bout was waited for with much
interest by the spectators, of whom there
were from 800 to 1000 in the Garden.
Owens, when time was called, again assum-
ed the offensive, and within three minutes
after the contestants had taken hold of each
other, Owens threw Murphy by right out
side stroke. He saved himself, however, by
falling on his left hip and side, and the
was continued. Some very rapid
followed until Owens succeeded
in getting right inside grape vine lock and
threw Murphy il seven minutes. The fall
and match were declared in Owens favor by
the referee. Mr.. Pennell protested against
the stakes being given him. Owens was
then formally presented with the belt on the
platform, amid the tumultuous applause of
bis friends. The match was good one, and
was watched with almost breathless interest
" the spectators from first to last.