Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-31
TRIALS OF STRENGTH.

Theater Last Evening-A Draw Came
A Match Made Between Whistler and
Ross for $3.50 slde-To Come Off In
st. Paul Within Ten Days.
Conley's Variety hall was crowded to it's
utmost capacity last evening to witness the
wrestling match between Duncan g. Ross, of
Providence, R. l., and Mr.. Conley's great un.
known, who was..named to the public Alesal-
dro Colosse. The audience waited patiently
till about quarter after s o'clock, when it
was announced that E. r. Johnstone, of the
Pioneer Press, had been chosen referee and
master of ceremonies. He promptly called
time on the athletes. Raising the dumb-bells
was the first on the programme, and Mr. CO.
losse succeeded in beating his competitor.
The dumb-bell used weighed 100 pounds, and
was raised by the winner six times at full
arms length. Then came the test OF raising
200 pound iron bar, and in this Mr.. Colosse
was also the winner.
After a brief intermission the wrestling
proper commenced. The first bout was col
lar and elbow in harness. The contest was a
spirited one, lasting two minutes and five Sec
onds, and resulting in victory for Ross.
While the athletes wel e gaining breath an
imprOmtu sparring match was gotten up be.
tween Dan. Ahern and VIM. Rigney, the first
contest resulting in seven hits for Ahern and
five for Rigney.
The second bout between the athletes was
catch-as- s-catch-can. twas exceedingly inter-
esting, and lasted for five minutes and thirty
seconds. Mr. Colossee was downed in good
form, and acknowledged his defeat gracefully.
Mr.. Ross here stepped upon the stage and
stated that he had been deceived as to his CON-
petitOr-that he was a professional man of
long standing. He had come to contest with
Muldoon, Whistler or Christol, and holding
one of their bills in his hand he defed either
one of them to come forward and back their
own challenge for money. Mr.. Muldoon rose
and offered to back Clarence Whistler against
Ross for any amount up to thousand dollars
for match of three bouts catch -as-catch-can,
and offered the money for the full amount on
the spot. There was considerable uproar for
time. "Money talks" "put up or shut up'
and other exclamations came from all parts of
the house, while "Black Luke" from the rear
yelled out, "There's the man for my money"
Another boxing bout, lasting only three
minutes, took place between Ahern and Rig
ney, resulting in four hits for the former and
three for the latter.
The next bout was side hold in harness.
1t was very brief, Colosse being thrown within
fifteen secoods, by very dextrOus trip of his
opponent.
Mr.. Muldoon here arose and offered to bet
500 to $50 that Whistler would beat Ross in
a match, catch-as- -catch-can, and declared him
self willing to put up the money, or double 1t
on the spot. Mr.. Ross said he would wrestle
Whistler in every style, and declared himself
the champion of the worid-not of one style
but OF all styles of wrestling assertion
he was willing to back for any sum of money.
At the same time a gentleman in the audience
sent 500 to the referee to back Mr.. Ross
statement, and it is understood the same gen.
tleman will double or quadruple this sum if
Muldoon will accept the challenge of Mr..
Ross.
The last bout was the Greco Roman, the
most scientific form of wrestling. 1t
was a protracted struggle, lasting seven
teen minutes and thirty five seconds. Superior
muscle triumphed, and Ross, after gallant
and almost superhuman contest was obliged
to succumb, and Colosse was declared the
winner.
Mr.. Ross stepped on the stage and declared
that he would wrestle no more in st. Paul un-
place where he could be absolutely
free, and where no admission was charged.
He preferred to take the greensward, and
would wrestle anybody out doors for 500
dollars side, A match was instantly arrang-
ed and the money deposited, the match to take
place in court house square on Tuesday after
noon, the weather and the county authorities
being favorable.
1t is only just to say that the audience,
though large and somewhat Heterogeneous,
was orderly throught the evening. The un-
known, Colosse, is Mr.. R. A. Pennell, who
has for several years been an instructor in the
Louisville gymnasium, and Is here under en-
gagement at Mr.. Conley's varieties.