The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-08

ules 70 break 1t. The audience began
TO cheer and yell and ask in derision
what Gotch would do2 By quick
eaten, ne got firm half Nelson and
was slowly prying Westergaard to the
mat. Westergaard bridged and Hack
Jumped upon him but could not break
MN down and the Iowan, 1oosening
holds, tipped himself free while the
crowd yelled exeitedly.
Near the close of the first half hour,
mack IN hoping to earn one fall before
MS time was half gone pushed the
bout to a fast gait. He had his man
near the mat again, but could not
force him down, Westergaard saving
himself by clamping Hacks head.
When he escaped this call, the crowd
went wild.
In another ten minutes there was
little light under Westergaard's back
and again he broke a terrific hold
and sprang to his feet. Waiting each
other around the ring, Hack wheeled
quickly, catching his man by the head
and tossing him over his shoulder.
Westergaard struck hard, but was up
and away before Hack could nail him.
The strain was telling on the young
er man while Hackenschmidt was
still going at terrific rate. There was
not second of idle time. The IoWan
was in danger repeatedly, but always
got away by a concerted effort.
When 30 minutes were called and
no fall had been gained there was
pandemonium in the audience. Tau2ts
about Gotch fired the Russian to fu-
r1ouS attempts to tumble his oppon-
ent. Far the last four minutes of the
match, Underestimate held Wester-
gard in a single position valnly try
ing to force him over with half
Nelson and crotch. With head and
leg hold, Westergaard held his own.
The two men chung to the last, Hack
enschmidt hoping to outlast his op-
ponent in a steady test OF strength
and Westergaard knowing his success
depended upon just few more mo-
ments of grit and will.
Westergaard Is Pleased.
Westergaard was elated with his
achievement and showed it with wide
and gladstone smile as he stepped out
before the audience, which cheered him
wildly.
81 want to say that Hackenschmidt
is the best man I ever wrestied- He
kept me on the defensive almost the
whole of the time" he began
"Can he throw Gotch?" yelled
chorus.
t'oh, I do not claim to be in Gotch'ss
class. He could put it all over me-
| But what I would like to see would
| be a match between Hackenschmidt
and Gotch.''
In his dressing room, the big Sweee
sank down into a chair with great
sigh of relief. He rubbed his neck.
THAT fellows a bear. He gave my
neck an awful hard night. And he's
a hard worker He don't give any time
to breathe and he's stout as a bull, !"
ne said contentedly.
| But thought I could stop him.
| When I met him. in Denver, l went
right out from Aberdeen, South Da-
kota, and zero weather. In Denver it
was hot and the altitude got me. Ny
stomach went back on me and l
couldn't put up a fight. But Hack is
getting better right along. I used to
break his holds but I can't do 1t now.
He's the strongest man 1 ever met.
Hackenschmidt Excited.
Hackenschmidt was plainly agitated
by the taunts of the audience concern
| ing Gotch. On the mat he rushed
matters in fury when they cried that
Gotch would pin him in a minute.
| In his dressing room he said excited
ly in his Russian accent:
.sFhey yell about Gotch. Why don
/ Gotch come out and meet me. II he
can throw me In such easy fashion,
why don't he come on. Ii he thought
he could do it, he would run out In a
hurry. But he don't He mas agrees
to meet me many times but he doesn't
show up at the scratch. Why don't
he meet me? :.
a good wrestler. He is as big man
as I am but I had him almost gone
II could finish my match L would put
him down.
IT am not scientific man. 1 could
wear him out. am not tired would
much rather stay on the mat to a mn
ish than leave in this way. It is moi
Last night 1 didn't sleep a wink
riding all night from Chicago to Kan
lsas City. Today l tried to sleep but
had an important engagement anc
7 col
| to Kansas City who I was to wrestle
here NY manager makes these match
es without asking me. l want tn1sf
matches. This is not satisfactory.
IF I come back here L want you tt
insist on finish match. That is the
right way.
The feature of the preliminary
matches was the work Of Roy Spear
a former K. U. football player, now
employed as civil engineer IN TO
peka factory, in his bout with Jo'
wood a wrestler of experience in thu
west. Spear won two successive fails
the first in Ia minutes and the SECOND
in G1z minutes.
tacular. Referee Abbott introduced ont
of the men as Scott, late of England
land the second as Ed Trotty of Tope
ka Trotty took the first fall in a!
minutes. Then the Englishman tool
Ivo straights, both after some fast anC
evcitine work. The first fall took Al.
minutes and the second 5 minutes ane
20 seconds.
AS a third preliminary and entertain
ment the Great Southern quartette OF
three male and one female colored sing
ers sang several selections This fea
ture made a hit with the spectators
and brought repeated encores.
Spencer Arthur Abbott, as referee
handled himself in so nimble manner
over the mat that not muscle quiv'
cred but what he saw it. His curtain
talk and introduction of wrestlers wa;
ably executed and he electrified tn
well ACQUAINTED audience when he tool
a spike-end-on header into home Whe1
the big fellows tossed themselves int
another corner of the arena.