The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-23
JOE ACTON
Is CHAMPION.
Lewis Did Not Throw the Little
Demon in One Hour.
A Large Crowd Witness the Catch-as-Catch.
Can Match at the New Wigwam.
Strength Against Science.

The New Wigwam was crowded last even
ing with the lovers of athletic sports to Wit
ness the much talked of wrestling match be-
tween Joe Acton, "the little Demon" and
Evan Lewis, who claims to be the cham
pion wrestler of America. The agreement
stated that to win the match Evan Lewis
must throw Acton twice within one hour, or
if in that time Acton gained a fall he would
De winner Of the match.
Prior to this event Messrs. Cideau and
Merich wreStled catch-as-eatch-can. the lat
ter winning two straight falls. Although it
was announced that Acton and Lewis would
wrestle at 8 o'clock sharp, it was twenty
minutes past that time when the gladiators
put in an appearance.
Some difficulty was had in choosing ref
cree. Hiram B. Cook was first named, but
that gentleman of sporting pr0cliylties de-
clined to act.
CHOOSING A REFEREE.
Martin Mccartney. local wrestler, was
next chosen, but owing to strained tendon
in his left leg that athlete asked to be ex-
cused, and. as a final resort, the wrestle rs
selected William Atwood. an Austral ian
wrestler, who had arrived on the last
steamer. He informed the spectators tina t
he was new arrival and would use his best
endeavors to give general satisfaction.
When the wrestlers appeared on the stage
they were loudly cheered. Lewis QS9
pounds) had a loose fitting parlOr ulster COW
ering his powerful frame. Acton was seem
iugly contented with pea-Jacket, which
protected his anatomy from the gentle
zephyrs which waited from the main en-
trance. He scaled 1852 pounds. Lewis was
in fine fettle and carried very little extra
weight. Acton, on the other hand, packed
several pounds of louSe flesh, which he
thought would benefit him in match OF
this kind, as he required all the weight he
could conveniently carry to offset the handi-
cap he had to concede his powerful oppo-
nent.
George Meihling held the watch for Lewis
and Professor Nlc did the clocking for Ac-
ton, Jimmy Geoghan acting as master OF
ceremonies.
TIME FOR ACTION CALLED.
After the referee had been instructed in
the duties he had to perform and the an
nouncement that all kinds of holds
and falls were permissible time for action
was called at 20 o'clock.
Casting aside the habiliments which con-
cealed their forms from view, the wfeStlerS
shook hands ana went TO business Acton,
who is as round as q cannon ball, looked
feshy about the body and waist, but his
SKIN showed that he mad done considerable
training in the sun. Lewis was in fine fet-
tie. and appeared a giant in size when he
stood on the carpet in front OF his game OPP
p0nent
wrestlers embraced. Acton assumed the
defensive immediately, and as Lewis
pressed his heau to the carpet Joseph slid
out of q tight place ana in Jitty was on top
of his opponent. Lewis brought all his
strength 10 bear on the little demon" and
it frequently appeared as if Acton could not
possibly wrlggle away from being thrown;
but he did. and after wrestling about
aud twisting Acton quickly. the latterS
shoulders touched the carpet, but not SIM
ultdneuusly.
LEWIS STOPPED WRESTLING.
The referee muttered something which
sounded like "a fall" and Lewis immedi-
ately stopped wrestling. Geoghan, in be-
hall of Acton, asked if he had given fall
to Lewis, and the referee answered that he
had not done so, and that Lewis must have
misunderstood him. The wrestlers went
at ii again.
After Lewis had taken firm hold of
Acton neck the latter's nose commenced to
bleed. the fluid painting Lewis back in
bright vermilion The little demon
showed by his cat-like agility several times
that he was an artful dodger in wriggling
out of the terrible holds in which Lewis
held him, almost bound TO the carpet. 1t
LOOK Lew Is % UiiuulcS W biiliS hClOH Ou his
back by means of a left trip and partly
flying fall.
Ai,er Il rest of five minutes to give their
attendants an opportunity of drying their
perspiring bodies the wrestlers went at it
again. 1t was only too plainly manifest
that Acton, with all his cleverness, had not
the strength or weight to compete with his
gigantic opponent, who tossed the little
demon" aside as il he was a playthng in
his hands.
Lewis relied on his great strength to
force Acton to terms. When the latter got a
good hold on his adversary Lewis found no
difficulty in breaking it, and at one time it
was thought that Acton was gone.
ACTON STOOD ON HIS HEAD.
Lewis stood him on his head for fully half
a minute, but Joseph had a trick left, and
graspng his opponents leg he saved him
self from being thrown. As the minute
hands of the clock grew close to the hour
the wrestling became more exciting, and
Acton by his superior cleverneSS broke sew
eral holds, which seemed Impossible for any
man to get out of.
Lewis worked might and main to down
his clever opponent. and at one time 1t
looked as if lie would gain his point, as
he had his fayorite ch0kelOck at work. Jo-
seph managed, however, TO break away, and
his friends cheered TO the echo.
Notwithstanding the great efforts Of Lewis
TO bring his opponent to terms Acton avoided
being thrown. and when the hour was up
the referee announced that the match was
his, which acknOw ledgment was received
with prolonged cheer for the little demon
Every one seemed to be pleased with the
result, aud was satisfied that Acton is the
best man Of his weight in America.