Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-25

tion was 81 to 80 per cent. A study of the
two types as they enter the arena, shake
hands, take their grip Of each others short
hose, and begin the struggle, is extremely
interesting.
The judges call out two names, and, as
the parties jump up from among the crowd
OF athletes squatting or lying around the
edge of the sawdust arena, all eyes are
turned upon them to study their respective
physiques, and speculate as to the probable
winner. Here comes a short, stout built
man of about 80, with low forehead, close
cropped hair, tanned face that is mild
and kindly in expression, broad shoulders,
and STOPPING, shutting gait. He looks
like cross between an Oshkosh lumber
man and Washington Market butcher;
and moves into the ring with something OF
the slugglshness of an OK disturbed in its
midday nap. He has on a coarse large
checked cotton shirt, pants of rough brown
serge, and heavy slippers.
AGILITY AGAINST MUSCLE.
To meet him, there springs lithely forward
a well-built young fellow of 25 or 26, bare
headed, in white shirt and trousers and laced
wrestling shoes, his mien erect, his manner
confident and his clear complexion and
white barred arms, showing him to be city
product. The linen short hose are quickly
donned, the contestants shake hands, reach
out and grasp each other, generally by the
under or lower side of the short hose, and
the desperate struggle commences. At
times the strain seems greater than bone and
muscle can possibly withstand; in another
moment, without relaxing their grasp, the
two stand motionless, bending forward their
heads, touching each other like gladiators
at bay, watching for their opportunity.
Then a sudden shake, another struggle
and the Turner finds himself lifted horizon
tally bv sheer strength to the height of his
opponents shoulders and thrown down
again, but only, in turn, to save himself by
his marvellous ability, and to spring like
tiger anew to the attack, amid the deafening
yells and plaudits of the excited bystanders
And so these tactics are repeated in endless
variations until one of the combatants is
felled or draw is declared, when the hand
shaking is repeated, and the weary, perspir-
ing and not unfrequently bleeding combat
ants retire, only to be Immediately followed
by others.
AT signal the wrestlers finally withdraw,
there is pause and then a man strides into
the ring, bearing upon a thin flag staff
about six feet long, a red silk flag, upon one
side Of which is embroidered in gold the
legend "Aelpler Bruderschaft, Stans," on
the other "Gott schuetze unsere Alpen."
He is man of about 40, of medium stature,
and spare build, clad in square-cut long
jacket and baggy, corduroy trousers, and
there is a patch of Edelweiss and Alpine
roses visible in the band of his broad
brimmed felt hat.
A FEAT OF STRENGTH.
He is one Of the noted fag-swingers from
his canton. and he lifts his hat modestly to
the assemblage and begins swinging the
the flag, passing it with lightning rapidity
through every variety of movement, now
hinging it 20 feet into the air, catching it
with unerring precision as it descends,
passing it now behind him, now under his |
feet, then Ugh into the air again, yet keep
ing it in horizontal position throughout
the entire performance. This feat Of
strength and dexterity is peculiar to the
men of Uri and Nidwalden, and is an
nually performed on the "Sennenchilbi" |
On the first Sunday in October by four
officers of religious fraternity known as |
The "Sennenbruderschaft," dating from the |
year 1893, and embracing the four town.
ships of Altorf, Buerglen, Spyrigen aud |
Unterschaechen. "On the Sunday named"
'ays a recent writer, "the flag is swung and |
iuttered in some open spot, under direction
,f the Captain of the order. in the presence
u numerous maidens, and to the music OF |
he "Sennenmarch.'
Stone throwing, ball throwing and game
Known as "Stoeckeln" (little stakes) made
lp the remainder of the two days' sports.
lot to mention a constant round of table
and bouts. at which canton toasted
anton, town toasted town, while all Joined
n pledging renewed fidelity to their COM
non mother Helvetia, and TO her significant
Zone for ALL all for one"
GEORGE L. CATLIN.