Evening star., 1911-08-25

CHICAGO, August 25.-The fact that
George Hackenschmidt has done little
training since arriving in Chicago has
created no little comment among the
wrestling fans of Chicago. On every cor
ner of the city are groups of men ques-
tioning each other as to the condition of
the Russian and why he is not training.
Every kind of solution to the mystery
is given by these fans, yet 1t is unsolved
except by those in Hacks camp.
The above statements from the men
directly connected with the challenger
and from Hackenschmidt himself may
throw some light on the matter All
are enthusiastic over the Russian s
chances in the coming battle. All assert
he is in the pink of condition. A question
as to Hacks health would create smile
from any of his constituents, and they
would tell all that the lion is physi-
cally perfect.
In his street clothes Hack looks to be
In fine trim. His face shows marks of
hard work in the past, and yet his skin
is not too drawn. He says he has moth
ing to worry about and that he is not
looking for any worry.
Yesterday was passed in the same idle
ness as of the last four days. Hack
took a long walk in the early morning,
ate hearty breakfast and then took
a dip in Lake Michigan. He was in his
gym with his trainers, but none could
see II he was working or not In the
afternoon he spent most of the time In
the house and about dusk made a second
trip to the gym.
DR.. Roller asserts that the cold con-
tracted on the first day in Chicago has
disappeared and that Hacks shoulder is
as we'll as ever. Also the blistered heel,
which gave the big fellow trouble in his
road work has gone. Dr. Roller further
40, hot ao1x ,c,,lI IN
uous day tomorrow and wrestle Monday.
The first official odds on the Gotcn-
Hackenschmidt wrestling match sched-
uled for Labor day were posted yester-
with Gotch the favorite, and Hack the
outsider at 8 to 5. There has been con-
siderable wagering on the bout already.
but not until yesterday were the odds
made official.
At O'Leary.s headquarters it was learn
ed that there is plenty of Gotch coin in
sight and that Hack followers are by
no means few.
Frank Gotch's trainers let their man
take things easy yesterday. The cham
and in the afternoon played in a base ball
game. This was regarded as recreation
rather than work, however. The Iowa
grappler will not be put through any
more strenuous stunts by his trainers.
The system of light work-just enough
to keep the champion from getting stale,
will be adhered to until the big farmer
is ready to step into the ring with the
Russian. The hand ball game was prob
ably the hardest work gone through.
After the ball game the whole camp took
a swim in the river. Taking line
through themselves, Westergaard and
Hassan, who have been putting Gotch
through the heavy stunts on the mat. de-
clare that Frank should have no trouble
in defeating Hackenschmidt.
Westergaard. who has twice met the
Russian, says it took the former nearly
two hours to get fall, while Gotch
handles him with case In Hassan's case
the Russian failed to throw him at all In
two hours. The big Turk appears to be
a mere plaything for the Iowa champion
Gotch now weighs close to 207 pounds
He expects to work off just three more
pounds before he enters the arena at
Chicago. This will bring his weight down
to 204 pounds. which is seven pounds
more than he weighed when he met the
Russian before.
Farmer Burns, who has charge of the
Gotch camp, and who has been instruct
ing the champion in the fine points of
the game. is greatly pleased with the
condit on of his charge, and predicts that
he will have little or no trouble in dis
posing of the Russian on Labor day.