The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-11-07
"l'HOMuME MASQuE."

L'HOMME MASQUE."
G&citine Wrestle Between Tom Cannon
and the Mysterious Stranger,
The "Man with Mask has finally
met his match in the sturdy person
known as Tom Cannon.
These two redoubtable wrestlers came
together the other evening at the Folies
Bergere before an audience several times
too large for the accommodation offered
The unusual crush was occasioned bv
the announcement that Americas for
midable wrestler was to be pitted against
a mysterious individual of wonderful
strength and skill, who up to the present
has proved victor against all comers,
Ihls eccentric athlete caused great SEN
satlon in Paris last year by appearing on
the stage with his face and head entirely
hidden by a black silk mask, behind
which no one was able to penetrate. He
appeared in the same way last evening.
lie arrives at the Foies Bergere in a
private carriage only few minutes be-
fore he must appear, and is Immediately
shown to private room, from which he
comes out only to % on the stage. He
leaves in the same manner.
Before the struggle last evening l was
standing behind the scenes talking with
Tom Cannon. Said he:
81 know absolutely nothing about the
man am going to wrestle with. have
a suspicion, though, that he is an old
time professional who has reasons for
concealing his identity. Either that, or
he is some rich chap who doesn't want
to be seen here"
''Do you feel in good condition."
''No, indeed, and that is the worst of
it. I have been wrestling here for
thirty-four nights in succession without
any rest, and sometimes I have met two
men in night"
Finally the curtain rose, and the two
giants came bounding forth in front of
the footlights. Giants indeed they were
Tom in red tights, the other in black,
and both naked to the waist.
moments glance was enough tc
show that the 'Man with the Mask" was
in perfect physical condition; indeed, he
appeared in every respect the better Of
the two. His skin was of satiny soft
ness, and as white as that of woman
His chest, thighs, and arms were of Her
culean dimensions, and his carriage waf
that Of a gentleman. A significant de
tail was the singular smallness of hi
feet and hands.
No time was lost. A grip of tw,
powerful hands, moments hesitation
before the initial spring, and then the,
went atit-arms, heads, legs, and bodies
1t was about as lively wrestling mattel
as one could possibly see.
The "Man with the Mask" took tn
offensive from the start, and for the frs
five minutes it looked as if he was goinl
to vanquish Tom Cannon with ease
But the man who vanquishes Tom witt
ease-or without it-las not yet put il
his appearance at the Folies Bergere.
In tie very frs. set-to the Unknow.
forced Cannon over on his back, and t
save himself, the latter was obliged t
form a bridge with the back of his hea
. and his heels as bases. On this bridg
the masked Hercules threw himself wit
tremendous fury, but Tom held firm, anG
watching his chance, slipped from be
meath, and with back Handspring
landed on his feet.
As the struggle advanced the table
commenced to turn. Now it was Tor
Cannon who was doing the attacking
, At one point the stranger nearly lost hi
mask, and retired to rearrange it. Dul
, the brief intermission Tom stepped o
one side and said to me:
"He is the best wrestler have met
France. He is pushing the fighting, br
I shall have my inning pretty soon.
may be mistaken, but think am goin
to beat him."
And Tom was not mistaken.
How he did it it were impossible to d.
scribe; but he did it. The masked ma
fought like hero; but he had hero
fight against.
Now one is on top, now another; no
they are both down on hands and knee
l and presently they are locked-arm
= legs and bodies-in a desperate embrac
Then everything gets mixed up-ver
much mixed up-until suddenly the u
known goes sailing through the air, in
, PEELED by Toms combined strength an
o science. He lands on one side and tri'
:. to rise, but Tom is upon him, pinping OF
3 shoulder to the floor, and slowly, slow
: forcing the other into the same position
:, The MAN with the Mask" squirms an
e kicks with the energy of lost ange
e Tom Cannon, relentless, with fiashir
O ewes, presses that other shoulder near
and nearer to the carpet. The crow
goes mad with excitement. At last it
all over The mysterious giant struggl
y no longer-he is vanquished.
o All this, which takes long time
describe, lasted only twelve minutes
Paris Herald.