Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-09
CHAMPION sos's SHOW.
FdxsimmO3s and HIS Aggregation Ens5E
taaa as R.Rpes's Tnoaseo.

tstxe1mmooS and HIS Aggregation EnsCr
t.sa ~ R.fp.s's Ensascs.
Champion Pugilist Bob Fitzsim-
mons and his show drew . big audi.
ence at Harper's theatre last even
ing. The FIRST part Of the program
was devoted TO vaudeville, and while
it included Q couple Of features Of
the rudely coarse order, the other
acts introducing in turn the Crane
Bros, "the two Macs" aerial COM
edy feats, and Theo in G. variety
Of musical accomplishments, we're all
exceedingly unique and heartily en-.
JOyed.
The athletic part of the perform
ancs opened with an exhibition Of
Graco-Roman wrestling between
Ernest Roeber, the champion of this
style Of wrestling, and Carl Beck. of
Germany. 1t was an interesting con-
test. Roeber putting his man down
in IL minutes. While Manager Mar
tin Julian was announcing the event,
E. B. Kreis approached the stage and
attempted to address some remarks
to MIR. Julian, but was not noticed.
When the bout was over, Mr.. Kreis
sought to direct Julian's attentice
again, but the latter did no. notion
him, and the scenes were drawn.
Then Kreis, turning to the audience,
called attention to . notice on the
program in which it was stated that
the management agreed to forfeit
the sum Of $25 to any man Rceber
failed to throw in Is minutes. Mr..
kreis said he had q man (Ath-
erton) who desired to accept
that offer, and referred to the
$50 deposit at The ARGUS Office
In the afternoon. Then Roeber. &C.
companied by Julian. appeared on
the stage. The big wrestler said he
wanted to talk. kreis yielded.
Roeber said he was working every
night and was not in training to
meet professionals; no was giving
exhibitions. but II after his present
engagement, Atherton or anyone
else desired to meet him, he would be
in position to accept a challenge.
This seemed much like q bluff, aud i.
did not 20 With the audience, and
the man on the stage was unmerci'
fully gnyed. Roeber then said he
had taught Anterior his frs,
spin, yet he would make
. match with him for any amount
at any style. Mr.. Kreis produced
$50 which he shook at the man on the
stage, but there was no response.
Farmer Martin Burns rose in his
place in the audience and took Julian
to task for his remarks in the after.
noon as to Burns, Mcleod and Ather.
ton being,a lot Of fakes. 81 have
nothing to say of Atherton's chal.
leuge OF Roeber," said the farmer,
"but there is no use Of your making
such remarks about any wrestler
They are untruthful, and consider
Mr.. Julian, that you have beer
guilty OF q mean trick, and l want SC
denounce it,"
BY this time the house was in ar
uproar, shouts being heard from tn,
gallery at the rear of the stage.
Capt. Eokard walked down the aisle
and commanded order. Roeber ant
Julian retired and the chewing mattel
was over.
| The star Of the evening, Bob Fitz
simmons. then appeared and was en-
Enthusiastically greeted. He first CAV,
an exhibition Of bag punching, ant
then with Mike Conley. the Ithic,
pugilist, gave an exhibition Of scien
tiic boxing and sparring. which con
c!uded the entertainment.
i In this afternoons Associate,
Press dispatches is q statement from
Fitz's vile that indicates that he N a
again meet Corbett in the ring
Fitzsimmons was seen late thi
afternoon. He doubted the authen
ricity of the report. Even though
my wife did make such q state
ment," said Fitz. IL would neye
give that stiff (Corbet;) anothe
chance"
FitZsimmons went TO John Glib
sons blacksmith shop this Afternoon
to mako some horse shoes, trying hi
hand at his old trade.