Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-21
Cheap John Houses are Trying to Initiate
&z| ~,
"L'HcsuME MAS0Ue."


Exciting Wresfie Between Tom Cannes
and the MysteriOas str.agsn
The Man with a Mask" has finally
met lis match in the sturdy person
known as Tom Cannon.
These two redoubtable wrestlers came
together the other evening at the Eolies
Bergere before an audience eeverA dmes
too large for the accommodation offered.
The unusual crush was occasioned by
the announcement that Amsx1ca1 for
midable wrestler was to be pitted against
a mysterious individual Of wonderful
strength and skill, who up to ehe present
has proved victor against all corners.
This eccentric athlete caused great SGD
sation in Paris last year by Appearing ON
the stage with his face and head entirely
hidden by black silk mask, behind
which no one was able TO penetrate. He
appeared in the same way last evening.
He arrives at the Foiies Bergere In Q
private carriage only few minutes be-
fore ne must appear, and u immediately
shown to a private room. from which he
comes out only to go on the stage. He
leaves in the same manner.
Before the struggle last evening was
standing behind the scenes talking with
Tom Cannon. Said he:
Il know absolutely nothing about the
man i am going to wrestls with. Ihsve
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."
mo, indeed, and that Is the worst Of
it. l have been wrestling here for
thirty -four nights in succession without
any rest, and sometimes l have met two
men in a night"
Finally the curtain rose, and the two
giants came bounding forth in front Of
the footiights Giants indeed they werei
Tom in red tights. the other In black,
and both naked to the waist
a moments glance was enough 10
show that the "Man with tins Mask" was
in perfect physical condition; indeed, he
appeared in every respect tbs better of
the two. His skin was Of satiny soft
ness, and as white as that Of q woman.
His chest, thighs, and arms were of Her
culean dimensions. and his carriage was
that of a gentleman. a significant de-
tail was the singular smallress Of his
feet and hands.
No time was lost. A grip Of two
powerful hands. a moments hesitation
before the initial spring, and then they
went at it-arIns, heads, legs. and bodies.
1t was about IS lively a wrestling match
as one could possibly see.
The MAN with the Mask" took the
offensive from the start, and for the first
five minutes it looked. as II he was going
TO vanquish Tom Cannon with ease.
But the man who vapquishes Tom with
ease--or without it-has not yet put in
his appearance at the Folies Bergere.
In the very frs. setto the Unknown
forced Cannon over on his back, and 20
save himself, the Latter was Obliged to
form bridge with the back Of his bead
and his heels as bases. On this bridge
the masked Hercules threw htusek With
tremendous fury, but Tom held firm. and,
watching his chance, slipped from be-
meath. and with back Handspring
landed on his feet.
AS the struggle advanced the tables
commenced 10 turn. Now il was Tom
Cannon who was doing the attacking.
1t one point the stranger nearly lost his
max. and retired TO Iearranse IL. Dur
the brief ipterrnission Tom stepped Cd
one side and said 20 me:
HE is the best wrestler / have mss IN
France. lie is pushing the lighting, but
/ shall have my inning pretty soon. l
may De Iaistaken, but think am going
70 beat him"
And Tom was not mistaken
How he did it IT were impossible to de-
scribe; but ho did H. The marked man
fought Ike hero; but he had hero "a
fight against.
Now one Is on top, row another; no~
they are both down On fiz1ds Gnd kIess,
and presently they are Io<ksd-axms,
iegs and bodies-in n deeys1xse embrace
Then everything gets mixed sp-ysry
much mixed at,-urtD su
. Snly Me UD.
known gees sailing through 2,e ztf. I'm
pellea By ToEl's combined strength and
science lie Lands on oz.e sszis and trsss
70 rise. but Tom is upon han. ptnntng ons
shoulder 20 the foor. and siDsfy. slowly
forcing the other into the same posdtion-
The MAN ~i.h the nazf" scuarnas add
kicks with the eDe.gr u kes sngsl
Tom Cannon, r.lea;lssz. vfzh fa~ains
ewes, presses that other sssoosAwr psaysf
and nearer TO tie csrp<t TIE crowd
goes rn&d with eIci;eDozt At isa n is
all over. The rnysserioos giant struggles
10 lingerie il vspquished.
All this. which takes long time 20
describe, lasted onlr Twelve minutes
Paris Herald