The Mena weekly star., 1908-04-09
GOTCH Is CHAMPION
IOWA MAN DEFEATS HACkEN- SCHMIDT IN THE CHICAGO
 WRESTLING MATCH.
RUSSIAN LIONS" TRIBUTE TO VICTOR
In An Interview Saturday Hacken- schmidt Said Gotch Was King or His class-Why He Gave Up So Eas' iIy-Has No Desire for Return Match.


 Dexter Pavilion, Chicago, Apr. 5.- Seldom has sporting event of similar character aroused so much interest in Chicago and the surrounding cities as did the big wrestling match between George Hackenschmidt and Frank Gotch. All day visitors were arriving from outside points. More than a score came from Gotch's home town, Hum boldt. Ia., almost 200 came from Kan sas City, and a big delegation rom Milwaukee, while St. Paul, Minnea. polls, Indianapolis, Detroit, St. Louis, Cincinnati and scores of smaller towns were represented. Added to these were thousands of Chicagoans.
 After more than two hours of un. availing tugging and desperate scram' bling the Russian said to Gotch: I'll give you the match
 Referee Ed. Smith at once declared Gotch the winner.
 For an hour and for five minutes he eluded every attempt of the Rus sian Lion to fasten a grip on him. Gotch side stepped, roughed his mans features which is with knuckles. butted him and generally worried Hacken- schmidt until the foreigner was total ly at loss how to proceed.
 When, in the clinch that finally came, Gotch slammed his opponent to the mat and came within an ace of SC. curing a firm toe-hold, following this up by lifting Hackenschmidt clear oi the mat and slamming him on his shoulders with terrific force, the Euro pean exponent was heart broken. The lines slowly deepened on his face, the hoots and gibes of the crowd hurt his feelings, and after considering the mat ter for a few seconds, he decided that it was time to quit.
 Few of the spectators but were will ing to give Gotch the palm. The Iowa farmer was in the better condition, was quicker and trickier and showed a far better knowledge of the game.
 Gotch seemed to feel little ill-effect Saturday from the two hour battle. He arose early and after breakfast took a long walk with Farmer Burns who acted as one of his seconds Friday night.
 "I am not fatigued," he said, "and was not tired when the battle ended. could have gone on for hours. would be willing to meet Hackenschmidt to- night. If he desires 1t l will give him a return match any time he wants it. Next time I will put him on his back"
 Gotch will remain in Chicago until Monday and will then probably return to his farm near Humboldt, Ia. He has been offered engagements at two local theatres, but may accept neither of them.
 Hackenschmidt looked as if he had been in a prize fight instead of a wrestling match Saturday The left side of his head was badly swollen and his left eye inlamed His eye Ids were swollen and lacerated. He said this was done by Gotch's thumb. As to plans while in America, Hacken- schmidt said he was not decided on what he would do.
 Speaking of the new champion, Hackenschmidt said: There is no man in all England who has chance with your man Gotch. He is king of his class, the greatest man by far that have ever met. After going nearly two hours with him. my muscles be. came stale. My feet also gave way on me. I had trained so constantly against the toe-hold that had strained the muscles of my legs. When found myself weakening. I knew there was no use continuing. l had no chance to win. That was the reason conceded the championship to him. | have no desire to wrestle him again A return match would not win back my title"