Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-08
THE sTRANGLER VICTORIOUS
Evan Lewis Defeats Jack Wannop, Cham
 pion Wrestler of England.

Evan Lewis DefeatS Jack W0nnOps Cham-
 pion Wrestler of England.
 CHICAGO, May S.-Evan Lewis, the ''Stran- gler" and champion wrestler of America, de- feated Jack Wannop, the Cornishman and champion of England, ln three straight bouts last night. A week ago Mayor Roche served notice on "Parson" Davies that unless the stakes of s1,OOO side were withdrawn and strangling barred, he would prohibit the match. These conditions were nominally ac- cepted, but everybody in the big hall last night felt and knew that the money was in- volved in the contest.
 Among the most noted sporting men who occupied front seats were the 'Jap," Joe Prendergast and John G. Charles, of New York; Trainer Kline, of Beloit, Wis. Adon Butler, champion collar and elbow wrestler, and Billy Bradburn, champion heavyweight of Illinois.
 as referee, and announced that the match would be catch as catch can, best three out of five.
 A moment later Wannop made his appear ance, and received an enthusiastic reception. He wore white tights and brown trunk, breast and shoulders bare, and was @ magnificent specimen of physical manhood. But his face was flushed and his manner nervous, anc these were indications-which were corrobo rated by eye witnesses after the contest wa. over-that he had been indulging in the flowing bowl. Lewis, bare from neck te feet, except for gray trunk, followed at hi. heels, and received just as hearty a welcome as his opponent He was calm and self pos sessed. Wannop tipped the beam at 19t pounds, and was seconded by John H. Howe of New Gross, London. Lewis weighed 1rO and had for second Duncan McMillan, well known wrestler and ball player.
 Time was called, and both men shook hands They were cautious, and figured for an open ing. After wrestling two minutes Wanno] forced Lewis on his knees and got goot hold, but the "Strangler" broke away. Levi tried back hold and missed, but immediatel, after he got good grapevine hold, which h changed to cross bullock, and turned Wan mop fairly and squarely on his back in minutes and 20 seconds.
 When the men appeared for the second bout Wannop had discarded his tights. Lewis got head lock, figuring for a grip, but Wan mop got away, and, getting grapevine hold | threw Lewis on his side. Lewis got up, ant l in moment had Wannop on his knees. Botl l men gained their feet. Lewis secured | grapevine hold, but Wannop changed it to | hip lock, and threw Lewis, nearly getting hin down. The Strangler again secured a grape vine, and Wannop once more changed it int a hip lock, and partly threw his opponent Lewis turned over, and, getting half Mel son, forced Wannop to bridge After | short struggle Lewis got hammer lock which he changed into a half Nelson, throw | ing the Englishman straight, and winninl | the second fall in the same time as before, | minutes 20 seconds
 When time was called for the third bou Lewis came up smiling. Wannop was ho and rattled, and his right knee was bruise' and bleeding from the effects of the fall II
 the previous bout. He went at Lewis a though he intended to pick him up and throv him over the ropes, but the Strangler, by
 delft movement, secured grapevine. Thi he quickly changed into shoulder lock, an, in just one minute from the moment the mel
 touched each other the Englishman was fla
 on the ground, and the Strangler was tn | victor.
 l The amount of money which changed hand
 on the match is estimated at $20, ,O0O, S, ,OO
 of which was bet in one saloon between an T o'clock last evening. Nearly all of the bet l were even money. Whatever advantag there was was in favor of the Englishman.