Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-30
WRESTLING FOR SELF DEFENCE.
Cornish Style Good in Rough-and-
 Tumble Fighting.


 One of the best ways for man to fit himself for seIf-defence through physi- cal culture is to take up the style of wrestling least known in America-the Cornish
 In nearly every mans life, whether he will or not, time comes when he is dragged into a rough-and-tumble fight. Then, if he knows something of Cor nish wrestling, he will be able to take care of himself.
 The distinctive feature of Cornish wrestling is the canvas jacket which each wrestler wears and on which the different holds must first be secured. For this reason a man learns how to grab the coat of man who attacks him on the street or elsewhere, and use the hold to the discontinue of his as- saiiant
 :. The man who delights i'll rough-and- tumble exercise will find Cornish wrestling just about what he wants. He will also discover that, for all it's apparent go-as-you-please methods, 1t is not lacking in scientific qualities, and that he will get plenty of healthful ex- citement from the most picturesque of all styles of wrestling.
 The coat used for Cornish wrestling can be easily made at home. 1t is of stout canvas, with no collar, loose el- bow sleeves. and tail coming well down over the hips. It is, built so that it will lack about eight inches of meet ing over the chest.
 The fronts are Joined by three pieces of stout rope hooked over buttons, se- cuFely sewed, so that hard pulling will not loosen them. The sleeves are loose, so that wrestler can get hand up and through them for certain holds.
 All holds with the hands are gained on the jacket, which, therefore, plays the major part in this sort of wrest- ling. Leg wrestling is fair, however, tripping being scientifically employed. The celebrated grapevine, known to ev- cry American schoolboy, is found in it's perfection in Cornish.
 Cornish has not become so well known in America, owing to the fact that at one time it abounded in cruel ties. The miners of Cornwall among whom 1t originated, formerly wore heavy soled and spiked shoes, with which they endeavored to cripple each other, and they had no qualms about choking. Nowadays, however, even Cornishmen refrain from all bru- tality, and their favorite sport is no longer considered brutal. Tn the coal mining fields of Penn sylyania and in the copper fields of Michigan, where many Cornishmen are settled, this wrestling is the favor ite pastime, and every holiday brings its bouts.
 The cross collar hold is generally barred in present-day bouts but it is giv- en with the idea that some knowledge of it may come in useful at some time or other for purposes of self-defence against rufian. It is one of the most effective choking holds known. As in all forms of wrestling. many of the hundred or more holds possible in Cornish can be studied out and gain ed after little practice with the three described
 Sparring for a Hold-Roll up the sleeves as much as possible. Gather all the slack of the jacket in one hand l-preferably the left-and hold 1t on the small of the back. With the legs we'll apart, so as to give a firm and broad base, form an obtuse angle by bending the body for ward. Hold the disengaged open hand at arms length with the palm out to- ward the opponents face and about a l foot from it.
 Keep the position while sparring for hold, which consists, primarily, in 1 grabbing some part of the jacket. Agil- l ity and keen sight are necessary to do l this effectively.
 I The Crowbar Perhaps you manage to get a hold on your opponents sleeve. In that case shoot your arm up his sieve and firmly grasp the opposite I side of the coat so that your wrist will bear on the opponents neck. I Then, keeping your body out of harms reach, grab a wrist of the opponent I with your disengaged hand, step on the 1 foot nearer you, pull him toward and l past you and slam him down on the floor.
 l Usually you will have to thresh your Iopponent all around the floor at arm length before he will tire sufficiently to be thrown down.
 l The Cross Collar Hold-To execute the cross collar hold, get the opponents I jacket in wad around his neck and l well down on his arms. Run one hand through the crumpled mass in front of the neck and under the chin and grab the jacket at the opposite 1 armhole.
 I Then put the heel corresponding to I the arm under the chin back of the op> ponent's leg and try and toss him back l ward
 The opponent will find that, try as he will, his hands will not be of much use to him. He will try backing and breaking away, but little pressure of the arm on the neck and chin will make him stop.
 As this hold and the crowbar can be made quite rough by means of choking it would be better, and would serve the purpose of exercise just as we'll not to carry the holds to their ultimate is- sues, but once they are gained, count them as points and release the oppon- 1 ent.
 The Grapevine-This is the most ia nous of all Cornish holds, and is often. est used. It can be secured in a va. riety of positions. A common way is