The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-04

His Defeat OF Gehle--ROugh Crowd at
Grand Opera House.

Sam Murbarger, of this city, who claimf
the wrestling championship of Indiana, last
night at the Grand Opera House defeated
Frank Gehle, of Piqua, o., and has thereby
added the championship of Ohio to his
honor The match was as neat an exhibit
ton as has been seen in the city. Gehle
won the first bout, and was thrown the fol-
lowing two. The house was not large but
it was large in enthusiasm, principally in
behalf of Murbarger. The crowd was I'M
usually boisterous and i'll behaved, STOPPING
to personalities. One young man who sat
in the first row in front of the stage con-
tinued his insulting remarks to Gehe until
the wrestler could not refrain from replying.
1t was unfortunate for Gehle, as it made
him the butt of many a remark from all
parts of the house. 1t was surprising that
the management should have allowed Gehle
to be abused in such fashion. Murbarger,
of course, was prime favorite, and he was
loudly applauded whenever he made a good
move, and when he won the second bout
people stood up and yelled themselves
hoarse. After the first bout there were
many persons ready to bet their money on
Gehle, and they found few takers Gehle
had ten pounds the better of it in weight
weighing l5S pounds, while Murbarger
should take on q little more weight, and
offered to wrestle amy man in the world at
148.
Gehle was introduced first and received
little applause. He was seconded by George
Fox and AL Roberts. Murbarger was sec
onded by Joseph Haspel and Teddy Rails
back. George CatterSon was referee. The
first bout showed the apparent superiority
of the Ohio man. He seemed to play with
Murbarger and got him near the mat fire.
quently, but he had trouble getting the fall.
Three times when Murbarger was in the
act Of taking o. half Nelson did Gehle break
the hold and pick his antagonist up and
throw him violently to the mat, but Muir
others holds. The general opinion about
the men during the progress of this round
was that Gehle was by far the superior of
Murbarger in experience and agility, but
Murbarger had the better OF it in wind and
strength. 1t looked as if the experience and
agility must win, however. Gehle won the
first bout in twenty-eght minutes by a
crotch and half Nelson hold
The second bout did not last so long, and
went to Murbarger The house went wild
when Murbarger threw GehIe in fifteen min
utes. The play came up after some very
hard work by both men. In a mix-up Muir
barger found himself standing on his feet
between Gehle's legs and holding the lower
portion of his antagonists body above the
mat He shifted quickly jumped outside
and took a half Nelson and crotch hold.
1t was fine exhibition and showed that
Murbarger was a better general and quick
er to act than was at first supposed. Again
he shifted when he found that he could not
pin his man with the imperfect Nelson he
had. He fell heavily upon Gehle's body and
took a body hold in place of the half Nelson.
Murbarger won the third bout in seven
teen and a half minutes. 1t was with a half
Nelson and crotch. in much the same man.
ner of the second bout. After the victory
the crowd rushed upon the stage.