Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-12

| In T. "A. B. hall Thursday night a l crowd of about 200 of the Norwich | sports saw the best of any of the | wrestling matches put on in this city, when Jack McGrath. the Irish Giant, met and defeated Ed Lebaorre, the Montreal heavyweight. in the main | bout of the evening. Two good pre- l liminaries with local men in the Iime- | light put the crowd on edge for the big l go.
 The first bout put on was Harry Brann and Joe Burns of Pittsfield, two | lightweights, in 15 minutes catch as catch can go. Both boys proved will science. but neither was able to secure ! Q fall, and the referee, Kid Wilson, de- clared the bout draw.
 Barber and Bartender Go to a Draw.
 Enthusiasm ran riot when Jerry Raw enell, the iron jawed barber, and 1 ShimmucSs AfcGarry, the Bowery Kid, and the bartenders' champion, appear ! ed for the next bout, which was also | to be for 15 minutes. catch as catch can. Both were making their first public appearance on the mat,an were | stripped in regulation form for the | fray. Ravenell had about six pounds on McGarry, 129 to 12S. Both men got to business in jiffy, McGarry forcing
 
 rvs guard, dumped the barber to the mat. Everybody at once started to tell McCSarry what to do with his opponent, directions about toe holds. half-Nelsons and crotch holds showering upon him. 1 Shinmucks warmed to his work, and accepted all the advice he could sort out of the din. but Jerry was too husky and couldn't be kept on the mat, fore ing his way to his feet in spite Of all that MCGarry could do.
 Again McGarry down his opponent, after tossing him around the stage, and tried to put on a head hold but Jerry's bull neck tossed it apart like a piece of tissue paper. Right here Ravenell had a fine chance to gain a fall, Mo Garry slipping and going to the mat but Jerry's speed was missing and his man got away. In the last few min utes McGarry stoood the barber on his head with couple of crotch holds, but the match closed without a fall and was announced a draw. It will take another meeting to decide which is the better of the two.
 After the match was over. Philo Barnes stated that he would challenge McGarry for a similar match, to be put on as a preliminary at some future time.
 Big Match a Cruiser.
 For the big match, McGrath VS. Le barre, which was their second meet ing. McGrath having a previous decis- ion over Lebarre, Kid Wilson was an- nounced as referee and Harry Jennings timer The conditions were best two out of three to a finish. catch as catch can, pin falls to count, strangle hold barred.
 Prominent vrestlers at the ringside were Jim Barnes of Springfield mid dleweight champion. his protege. Chief Fighting Bear, the Wisconsin Indian, and Bill Collins, the pride of Central Village.
 Both wrestlers stripped in fine con- ditiOn, Lebarre showing in much bet ter form than on his previous appear ance and McGrath was trained to the minute. From the start the go was fierce one, the two powerful wrestlers resorting to every trick of the trade. roughing it up with vigor at different times and trying to obliterate each others conferences at different stages of the game.
 Clever work and herculean strength were called fon in every bout and both were there with the goods at all time. one after the other breaking out Of seemingly~sure holds. Debarre secured the advantage at the opening by get ting the first fall in 14 minutes on a wrist hold.
 The next came to NcGrath. but only after fierce struggle and the senti- ment of the crowd more than once showed that they were thinking Me Grath was up against his equal. The