The Washington times., 1906-12-30
WRESTLING.

Wrestling had a fairly good year in
Washington in 1906 among the profes-
sionals. and a decidedly good one among
the amateurs.
Interest in the sport when properly
conducted is undoubtedly growing, and
its future depends entirely upon those
who pull off the matches. Honest bouts
will restore the sport 10 the position II
beld twenty years a0o. while Juggling
and fixing VIII kill it beyond all hope
of revival
The principal professional matches
were those in which Rob Roy Mackey
figured, and he must be given credit for
furnishing the public with q run for its
money every time he appeared. He and
Joe Grant fought out their old feud in
the spring in a handicap match. Grant
agreed 10 throw Mackey twice in an
hour. He gained one fall in SC minutes,
of the fastest graphing ever seen here,
and nearly got another In the remaining
four minutes. but a bridge saved Mack
ey. It was a great bout ana when they
meet again there should be a record
breaking crowd.
What Mackey Did.
Mackey also wrestlcd Aleck Swanson
here in the spring, Swanson vas then
the recognized welteTweight champion.
but he had a busy tiUa winning from
the WashingtonIan. This fall the only
matches of prominence have been those
in which Mackey stayed an hour with
Fred Barthl. and the recent engage
meut I'm which he was twice thrown
by Eddie Barr
Joe Grant, the popular Washington
middleweight, has been busy in other
lines. and has done comparatively little
wrestling this year, but he expects TO
resume in the next month or so. His
appearance will be welcomed Mackey
has also planned an extensive campaign.
proposing, among other things. To meet
in this city Al. AckeTman. who recently
won the welterWeight title from Swan
son.
Joe Turner stands out as about the
best of the younger generation Of pro-
fessi0n8Is. Jack Spalding has made
rapid advances in the ranks of legiti-
mate Hghtweights. while Mic Ross.
Young Hoover. Bobbie Baker and others
are showing Improvement every time
they enter a bout
Boom Among Amateurs.
Amateur graphing has grown remark
ably In Washington. Starting TWO years
with about half-a-doZen aspirants, il
has advanced until now 1t has become
one of the most popular indoor sports.
Every athletic organization in the city
has its corps Of amateur wrestlers, and
some OF them are very promising.
Among the new recruits 20 the ranks
are Ge0rgetown. where Prof Maurice
Joyce is developing material which he
considers Of intercollegiate caliber
George Washington, which has men
who have made regulations on the mat
in other colleges; the National Guard,
and Gallaudet, where T. 5. Williams
is teaching a large class OF his fellow
mutes how TO throw their fellow-nen
with neatness and dispatch.
Baltimore won all the intercity bouts
from Washington but Que, but the Balti-
| moreans will come here this winter TO
meet the pick of the Washington
amateurs, and there Is every reason 70
/ believe that the Capital VIII more than
hold up its end. Half a dozen open
| tournaments are scheduled for this sea
/ SON One has already been pulled off
At the Y. NJ G A. and IL was an un-
/ qualified success. The contests IN each
I class were close, an0 the amateur rules
were strictly observed. Frank Huse-
mans Y. NJ. .. a. men won the hOnOrs.
! with Carroll Institute second The Car
rolls are after revenge AMI expect 10
/ turn the tables at a tournament in their
own gymnasium in the near future.