The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-11

Il Famous Iowa Wrestler. u
The original principles that governed
the wrestling game were simple varia-
tions Of the mechanical proposition OF
the lever and fulcrum. A "hold" Sc
cured by contestant on an opponent
meant simply that he had obtained a
means Of applying simple mechanical
principle, which enabled him to turn
over the body Of his adversary and
bring him into such anatomical relations
i to the mat as were required by the
rules.
These provided for the touching of
the shoulders Of an opponent to the can
vas. In the development Of the game,
however, it has been found that there
Is more powerful influence toward
making a man roll over on his back, or
simply quit outright and surrender the
fall, than mere mechanical principles.
It is pain.
IF certain grips can be secured, all
the science of holds looking toward
more leverage as the means of success
are secondary, and the contestant, held
in a lock that means a fracture, strang-
ulation or Inconsistencies, due to excru-
ciating pain, is made to do in few
seconds what hours might not suffice to
accomplish under more legitimate
methods.
Ordinarily, the terrific and dangerous
holds possible in wrestling are not en-
one Of these, the strangle, is almost al
ways barred. Another, the hammer
lock, is frequently ruled out in the ar
ticles Of agreement.
Agonizing Brutality.
But many Of the matches which are
wrestled, practically in private, for big
side stakes, and with only the hackers
Of agonizing brutality, and frequently
result in remarkable exhibitions of en-
DURANGO and fortitude, and, too fire.
quently, of mishaps in the way OF
breaks and sprains.
In bouts for the championship, the
stipulations in the articles Of agree
ment are generally such as to define
positively what the contestants may
do. Were it not for that, there would
be nothing left for the referee but to
permit everything to go-strangle,
hammerlock, neck wrenching and the
whole category of muscle-wrecking
practices. Thus, as a general rule, ex-
hibitions for the title are reasonably
clean.
Even in this case, however, the
amount of punishment administered
during a grueling contest is almost in.
conceivable. Punishment is employed
here, however, not with the idea OF
forcing submission at once. It is
rather, the object of the wrestler to
tire out the muscles Of his opponent. II
he happens to get on top Of him on the
mat, he tries to stay there. The reason
Is plain. If he weighs 200 pounds his
opponent is bearing the weight Of il
all the time he is down. If the latte,
happens to be on his hands and knees
for fifteen minutes, he supports zoo
pounds for fifteen minutes, making ex
ertions at the same time. Let me as
sure you that this Is no chld's play
even supporting the dead weight. How
much more wearing is it when the thing
atop Of you is using every opportunity
to wrench your muscles, shut off YOU
wind, strain your neck by making fakes
at getting half-Nelsons and other tricks
Of the trade. This is punishment thai
will tell. A man caught out of condi
ton is ruined in five minutes by tn,
constant hammering Of his opponent =
locked hands against his stomach. A
the end of fifteen minutes of a hare
match the contestants feel like 1O(
pounds have been added to the weigh
on the lungs, while the elasticity Of The
muscles flags to such an extent that on
has to assemble all his activities befor
making an effort
strangle Hold Tabooed.
But in matches for side bets wher,
the wrestlers, usually men Of excellen
physical courage, as we'll as enduranc
necessarily so, in fact-are defendin
an amount of money which is placed O.
him by friends, while the first few min
utes of the fray may be Of the NOR
legitimate order, when one contestan
sees the tide turning against him he ,
sure to bring his reserves into the fray
And then it becomes a match for blood
In these matches, even, the strangl
hold is usually barred. Where it is not
the effect is deadly. When properl
placed on an opponent, it is as secur
as a Yale lock. Few men exist VIII
break such hold secured by man 0
equal strength. It Is a wise wrestle,
then, who sees his dilemma and quit:
= saving himself punishment in order t
leave him strength for the next fal
If he fails to, he will get black in tn
face and fall unconscious to the GROUND
If his bulldog courage will let him han
on long enough.
With the strangle hold barred tn
hammerlock is perhaps the most terribl
of furnishing holds. The hold ono
placed, the unfortunate in the tot
faces broken arm to certainty, I'll
less he rolls over and submits.
strong forearm may frequently brea
this hold, but if well placed it NEAR
almost certain surrender.
Several other holds that are perfectl