Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-04-22

The Great Athletic Event In Chicago Sat-
urday NIght-The "Farmer'' Proves too
smooth for the Stranger and Captures
the Honors.
The championship wrestling
match, catch-as-catch-cau style, be-
tween Evan Lewis, of Ridgeway,
Wis, better known as ..the strang-
ier," and Farmer" Martin Burns,
took place Saturday night in the Sec
ond Regiment Armory, Chicago, in
the presence of over 5000 persons,
and was won by Burns. In the bet
ting Lewis was the favorite, odds of
100 to 80 being laid on him, but in
the audience Burns seemed to have
the most friends, every good move
he made being loudly cheered. The
arrangements were good, and the
contest was an interesting one.
Lewis won the first fall in 10 min
utes. but Burns turned the tables
and secured the second after 25 min
utes' work. The third was shorter.
Lewis winning in 10 minutes and
seconds. The decision of the ref
cree in this was received with disfa-
vor. being regarded as flying fall.
Burns won the fourth fall in one min
ute. and the fifth and final one in 10
minutes and 10 seconds. During the
evening Paddy Carroll announced
that ..Parson" Davies would back ID.
S. Mcleod, the Scotch wrestler.
against the winner of the match for
81, 900 side in five weeks A chal-
lenge was also issued by Murphy to
wrestle any lightweight.
1t was $40 o'clock when the con-
testants appeared in the ring. Lewis
was the first to show. He wore a
long check wrap. and was attended
by Duncan Mcmillan. Burns was
close at his heels, waited on by Billy
O'Connell. The farmer" wore a
black sweater. Arthur Crane Off
ciated as master of ceremonies, and
after introducing the men announced
the conditions of the match, viz
Catch-as-catch-can, best three in five,
for 81, 200 a side and the gate re.
ceipts. He said that when the match
was made there was nothing barred,
but later. in order to bring it off,
the strangle hold had been barred.
Two shoulders on the ground would
constitute fall. Prof. Charles Du-
plessis would act as referee, We're
Davies would be timekeeper for
Lewis. and Malachi Hogan for Burns.
Everything being ready the men
stripped, Lewis having black trunks
and Burns striped ones. Lewis, who
looked trifle fieshy, weighing above
on to POO pounds, while Burns, who
seemed in the pink of condition, was
at 166 pounds. At S:45 the men
shook hands and the contest COM
menced.
The Match by Rounds.
Bout Both men we're cautious,
aud after a little preliminary work
Lewis drove Burns to the ropes.
Burns got away into the center and
both men went to the mat, Lewis on
top. Burns made a hand arch and
Lewis could do nothing. Burns got
to his feet again, but he was quickly
on his knees. Lewis got an arm grip
partly around his neck, and there
were cries of ..strangle, strangle. :"
Burns was still on his knees, and
Lewis almost had him in difficulties,
getting his head under, but Burns
cleverly got out of it. Lewis almost
got a hammer lock on, and half
turned Burns over, but the former
again escaped. Lewis got an arm
and-leg hold and tried to roll Burns
over. Amid tremendous cheering.
Burns got clear and onto his feet.
They buckled again, and once more
Burns went down. Lewis got him
with a full Nelson, and Burns arched.
He cleverly got out of it, Lewis going
on the mat. When they got together
Lewis obtained a good hammer lock,
and gradually forcing Burns down,
won the first fall in Is minutes.
Second Fall.
There was one bet made during the
Commute interval of rest, an admir-
er of Burns taking $45 to $40 about
his man. Second bout-Both men
seemed fresh, Lewis especially SO.
After some preliminary work, Lewis
tried a grapevine and Burns went
down, but was quickly up again.
Lewis tried hammer lock, but Burns
would not have it. getting away.
For the first time Burns assumed the
aggressive. Lewis making hand
arch. Burns tried to lift him and
some one shouted. Get a derrick"
Burns tried to get Nelson, but
Lewis would not have it. Burns got
n leg-and-arm hold, and Lewis Sc
cured a good leg hold, but Burns
slipped away. After cautious work.
Lewis got a good body hold and
forced Burns to the ropes. Getting
away, Burns went to his knees. and
Lewis secured a firm body hold.
forcing him to his stomach. Burns
got on his knees again. Lewis Sc
cured a half Nelson, and partly
turned Burns over, but he squirmed
out of it amid cheers. Burns then
got Lewis on his knees and secured a
half Nelson. which Lewis quickly