The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-30

Apropos the Yousof-Roeber farce at
Madison Square Garden on Saturday
night, a Tribune reporter was convers-
ing with l.. M. Schoch, the well-known
athlete, who was present, and who ex-
pressed himself as heartily dsgusted
at the treatment which the Turk re-
ceived.
What about the bout?" said he,
well, had it not been for its very seri-
Gus and disheartening consequences to
the Turk, I should call 1t a screaming
farce. AS you know. 1t was won by
Roeber on foul, by the Turk pushing
him off of the platform. Technically,
perhaps, to step off the mat and push
an opponent, who was backing away,
would be a foul. But there were miti-
eating circumstances in this case which
i Will cite you. After Roeber had
shaken hands with the Turk he backed
off OF the mat onto the board platform
surrounding the mat and began what
might be termed his "sizingup" pro-
cess: that is, he began shifting and
side-stepping all around the platform,
judiciously. keeping off the edges of the
mat and out of the reach of the Turks
gorilla-like arms.
"The Turk meanwhile kept following
him, keeping right on the edge of the
mat, with that anxious, fierce express
sion on his face. And thus it went for
perhaps forty-flve seconds, Roeber
sprinting about the platform and not
touching the mat, and the Turk on the
edge of the mat following him. Sud
denly one of his long arms shot out
and he grasped Roeber by the arm.
Roeber twisted himself loose, but when
he was carried from the arena he still
bore on his arm four finger marks red
almost as blood.
QUIETED ROEBER DOWN.
"This seemed to take from Roeber all
desire which he might have had to
mix matters. Farther and farther he
backed away from the Turk, until
Yousof, with the look of a demon de-
picted on his countenance, took one
step forward and made a grab for
ROBBERS shoulder. 1t fell short but
caught him with a thump on the breast
lifted him clear off the platform and
deposited him on his shoulders in the
soft tanbark surrounding the platform.
Pandemonium regned for few min
utes. You know how a New York audi
ence Kisses.
"Roeber apparently lay in a dead
faint. Martin Julian ran about the
platform in his shirt sleeves, swinging
his arms and calling the Turk a name
which is almost a good defense for as
sault and battery. And perhaps lucky
twas for Mr.. Julian that the Turk
understands no English. Bob Fitzsim-
mons walked about, calm and appar-
emily pleased, playing with a spangle
on his watch chain as large as the rear
sprocket on a bicycle. Shaking his fists
al the Kissing crowd, the Turk did a
war dance on the mat until a police
captain took him by the arm and led
him from the platform.
"Roeber was carried to his dressing
room, and Billy Brady mounted the
platform and on behalf of the Turk
offered to allow Roeber one fall con-
tinue the bout and take the losers end
of the money, if Roeber would continue
in an hour. Under the circumstances,
a fair proposition, certainly. But the
crowd howled and hissed the louder.
Then from ROBBERS dressing room
came the statement that Roeber could
not continue-probably from policy
rather than injury. Then followed an
announcement that the Turk would
g.ve an exhibition with his wrestling
partner; but the kindly police refused
to allow the Turk to appear. And thus
ended what at it's inception promised
to be one Of the most interesting ath-
letic events ever arranged"
NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED.
When asked whether he thought
ROBBERS injuries were really serious,
Mr.. Schoch said:
"Roeber fell within ten feet from
where l was sitting; and being charit-
able enough to believe that he was
trained to the minute, cannot see how
ii was possible for him to seriously in
jure himself. His fall was only from
five-foot platform. into very loose
tan bark; a fall which any foot ball
player or prize-fghter would have
taken and been back on the platform
in minute, if he cared to. And there's
the point. l doubt whether he cared
to face the Turk again. Nor do I think
he ever will. If Julian's and Fitzsim-
mons talking can prevent it.
1T would be difficult to give a de-
scription of the Turk. Those who think
FitzsimmOns an anomaly among ath-
letes ought to see Yousof He is prob
ably five feet eleven. His legs are small
1 in size and perhaps the most unde-
veloped that 1 have ever seen on an
athlete, though very long. His stom-
ach gave no evidence of training, being
somewhat flabby. His shoulders and
arms, however, are something wonder
full. His arms remind one of Peter
Jackson's In length. His hands drop
below his knees, and are the largest
have ever seen. And when he goes
amblinP around the MIA form with HE