Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-01
PLUCKY FARMER BURNS.
Comstock- Apparently no Match for
the Little I0wan.
AND WASN'T IN TT AT ALL.
me Wrestling Match at Rarper,s
Iheatfe Last E,venlng-The
Michigander no GOOD After
the First Fail.

sporting community has been looking
for sometime, took place at Har-
per's theatre last evening. 1t was the
much-talked of wrestling match between
Farmer" Mart Burns the Iowa champion
and j. c. Comstock champion of Michi,
gan, for q purse of $3.50. Burns
was already favorite, having become
well known through former visits here.
Comstock, too, had won many friends in
his wrestling match with Carkeek at Har-
per's theatre 10 days since The match
was for 500 bet between the men and
purse of $50 provided by the Rock ISL
and Athletic club. The conditions were
three out of five falls, two points down.
There was fair sized audience present
at $40 when the commencement os tie
contest was announced. A good sprink
ing OF the sporting fraternity from Dav-
export and Moline were present. but the
| sporting clement did not alone predomi-
nate, as quite number of business and
professional men from this city occupied
boxes and apparently greatly enjoyed the
exhibition of skill and strength. At s
o'clock Johnny Gipson, who acted as
master of ceremonies, introduced the two
men. Con Doyle was time keeper, AID
Jim Sweeney, of Davenport, was referee.
Billy Gibson handled Burns, while Johnny
Cowden was in Comstock's corner and
looked after his wants. When time was
both dropped to the floor and after each
in turn pressing the other head to the
door and attempting to throw the other
bodily, Comstock gave Burns dizzy
headspin and the first flying fall was at
tempted but failed. Burns then got a
half Nelson and was on the point of
bending him to the.hoor, when Comstock
bridged and turned on his side. Burns
then got the same hold again, and again
he failed to floor his man. Comstock
then took the aggressive and after getting
hip lock on Burns he raised him with
main strength and apparently gave Burns
flying fall, but as referee will not call
one unless he sees it plainly. Comstock
did not get the credit. Then he got a
half and double Nelson and with his
weight he pressed Burns shoulders 10
the floor. at the same time asking the
referee if he wished him to nail him to,
the floor, but Referee Sweeney called it
just at that minute, Comstock winning it
in 10 minutes. The men rested 10 min.
utes, which was spent in putting them
selves in shape for the next bout. The
interest among the spectators was in the
meantime increasing. and when the men
again appeared they were cheered Justify,
and both went at it with will. Fly
ing falls were again attempted by both
men and neither met with success. Burns
then went at it with a will and after get
ting and losing several good holds, he
got front Nelson and a hammer lock
and by pressing his weight steadily on
Comstock he touched his shoulders to the
floor, and won the fall in five and one
half minutes. Another rest Of 10 min
utes was INDUCED in, at the end of which
the men appeared, both apparently con-
f1dent and anxious for the bout. In this
round the same maneuvers that had char
acterizad the other two were again dis,
played, but when they had only been
wrestling two minutes Comstock's nose
began to bleed and the referee gave him
two minutes time, after which the men
again closed in, Comstock acting on the
| defensive all the while, and at
the same time doing some
very pretty bridging while Burns
worked away manfully. Comstock be-
gan to show signs of exhaustion and was
| getting surly and he showed it plainly,
but mis- good nature overcsme it again and
he smiled. Burns kept cool even tenn
per all the while, and he attempted to
| give Comstock number of falls in quick
succession, but Comstock though he
looked weak and winded, thwsrted him
each time with surprising agility. Burns
then raised his opponent and gave him q
pretty head spin and attempted to send
him to grass, butiComstock twisted and
landed on his side. Burns followed it
| quickly with half Nelson and arm lock
and bending his adversary on his side put
two points down in just 25 minutes. The
customary rest was taken; Burns went to
his corner and did not appear greatly
fatigued though Comstock was plainly
| short of wind and his attendants put in
the time tanning him and getting him
| ready for what proved to be his down
fall" The two men came out smiling
though Comstock was plainly not in the
best of shape, but they took holds and
Burns secured almost every hold he wished