Telegram-herald., 1889-10-08

Roman, catch-ss-cAtch-eAn "a 70 DC
prized as matter OF science Below
this come the various STYLES known as
Cornish, Northumberland, Scotch and
hip-and-shoulder In this class mnscu-
larity ranks higher than science, so
that the small man has little or no
show when opposed 10 one much isrger
than himself. Just below this class
comes the japanese ana Chinese
school OF wrestling. This has a rude
science Of lis own and is interesting on
account Of its novelty 10 occidentals.
Below these, and very far below them
are the purring Of Lancashire. the
hacking OF Cheshire, la sayate" OF
France and the butting Of this country
and the West Indies.
Wrestlers are like boxers They
have their day, grow superannuated
and disappear from public view.
There are few seeming exceptions
TO the rule. just as there are in boxing.
Just as Jem Mace held up for more
than thirty years, so Homer Lane is
almost as good to-day as he was when
he surprised the sporting world some
thirty years ago. A wrestler seldom
attains his best form till he is in the
neighborhood Of thirty years OF age.
He then continues in his good condi-
tion, providing he takes anything like
proper care of himself, until he is, say
fifty. The present champion of Eng
land is fifty-four. Three weeks ago he
threw a man in a championship match
who was twenty-five years his junior and
thirty pounds his superior in weight
OF the great wrestlers of our genera
ton, Clarence Whistler was the first in
date, and was one Of the best the world
has ever seen. He was giant in size
and strength, and had body that was
as hard as well-seasoned wood. He
died prematurely in Australia of pneu-
monia, shortly after he had thrown
Prof Miller. Had ii not been for this,
he would be to-day the closest competi-
tor of Muldoon himself. Next TO him
was Owen. of Vermont, a smooth-faced
boy with genius for wrestling that
/ have never seen surpassed. During
his brief career he did better work than
any man this country has ever seen.
| Next to him was Homer Lane, who
though middle-weight, downed
almost every heavyweight he encount-
cred. OF such men as Al. Livingston,
who weighed probably about 230 pounds,
Taylor who weighed 220, and Kelly
who weighed $50, all Of whom were
giants in physical strength, he simply
with, 1t may be, the exception of Clar-
ence Whistler, is the present champion,
! William Muldoon. 1t may be seriously
questioned il there be a man alive in
! the world to-day who can meet him on
equal terms. Outside of Muldoon, how
ever. there are any number of great
athletes in this field. William John
son, an old-timer, is still a superb
artist. Major Mclaughlin, of Detroit,
is still a formidable man, although he
I has retired permanently from the busi
ness. So, too, of remarkable skill and
strength is Butcher" Martin, OF Ypsi
lanti. He, / believe, has also retired
from the profession. A greater genius
I than either of these two, is Joe Acton,
/ who is known as the Demon" who is
now employed by the California
/ Athletic Club. Were his size and
strength equal to his skill, he would be
the greatest wrestler in the world. His
specially is catch-as-catch-can in which
he is closely followed by Evan Lewis,
better known as stranger" Lewis,
from two new and original neck-holds
which the latter has invented. Lewis
is still a young man and takes very
good care of himself. In all proba-
bility he will take much higher place
than he now has, and will some day fill
the place now occupied by Muldoon.
| James Faulkner is a middleweight who
has displayed great cleverness in catch
as-catch-can and deserves more than o
| passing notice. Prof. y. II. Coupe, the
| Instructor OF the Schuylkill Athletic
Club, is another magnificent all-round
wrestler who has not been sufficiently
brought before the public. Prof.
/ William Miller is one OF the
greatest athletes now living and
is good in every possible line. Though
| comparatively old man, he is
one of the best men in the world for all
round work. OF Sebs stian Miller, Bauer
and Christol IL is hardly necessary -
say much. They are great masters Of
GrncO- Roman wrestling. and besides
that are good general athletes. Tom
! Cannon and Greek George are two mag
nificent beavy-weights. and do frst-class
work Their muscular strength and
vitality are of most remarkable char
acter II would not do TO omit comment
on that curious little Japanese. Matsada
/ Sorakichi. He. though a small man. IS
Q solid mass Of bone and muscle, and is