The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-28
GOTCH TOPPLES
RUSSIAN GIANT.
By Formidable Holds Drops
Jack Leon Twice in 80
Minutes.
FOREIGNER UNDERG0ES
INTENSE PAIN GAMELY
President Smith, First and Sec
ond COunselIors, and Several
Women Attend.

Frank Gotch is the worlds premier
heavyweight champion wrestler still.
In straight fails the Iowa man topp!cd
Jacls Leon. the Russian giant, before the
most magnificent crowd ever seen AT q
sporting event in Salt Lake CITY at the
Colonial theatcr Monday evening.
The first fall came IN twenty-five MIN
utes With an inside nelson hold, and the
second in ten minutes with Toe hold.
but the champion generously declined TO
count this fnl on account OF the prejudice
against the hold and allowing Leon 10
wriggle out OF the hold. pinned his Shou!-
ders TO the mat for the third time with
reverse nelson.
Giant Is Game,
The Russian giant gave n good account
of himself however. suffering intense pam
before his shoulders went TO the mat bat
his immense strength could not make up
for the lack of experience and Skill ~
the close OF the match the champion PAID
the younger man generous tribute, DC
claring that he is the gamest and hardest
man lie has met on his present tour
Declaring that he had proiited Immensely
from the match, Leon expressed desire
To meet Gotch again soon.
The crowd began TO arrive early ana
it was all the police could do to hpid
II i'm check until the doors were opened
In the crush many were jostled ana IN
some instances buttons were torn of and
clothes were otherwise injured.
Occupyinc Il box on tho right hand
sid, of tho lower floor were President
Joseph T. Smith OF the Mormon church
and Anton II. Lund and John Henry
Smith first and second counscllors re-
spectvely TO President Smith The Nor
mon churchmen appeared TO enjoy the
contest hugely and their presence added
interest TO the bouts.
''Goody-' Mrs. Gotch.
Several women scattered among the
spectators gave suppressed animation to
Mrs. Go,ch did not attend the match.
Instead she remained in her apartments
at the knutsford hotel but she hung on
The Telephone wire anXiously for news
OF how the contest was going, despite her
confident declaration OF few hours be-
fore that Prank cant lose. When tne
match was over and Emil klank, man
ager for Gotch. tclephoned the happy
news 10 Mrs. Gotch. she exclaimed;
"Goody, goody!'
given a generous ovation. Gotcn 9ulckly
followed and wild cheers greeted him.
When Willard Bean, the third man on
the mat introduced the wrcstlers, more
wild applause followed. In introducing
the men Mr.. Bean said that strange and
other holds interfering win breathing
the fact that the sport is no iadys
game
Leon. who was slightly nervous as
sumed the aggressive at first. but did
not disturb Gotchs smile. After five
minutes the giant went to the mat, giln-
ming. Breaking leg and half nelson.
five or six minutes put Gotch on the de-
fensive for a moment for the first time.
Savagely Twists Arm,
The champion soon extricated himself.
however and. grabbing the giant by the
right arm. twisted il under him savage
ly and then rested his knees upon the
member. Leon escaped what appeared
TO be. certain fall this time. though
mat hard with Gotch on top and look
ing longingy at Icons foot for toe
hold. but the extremity was FAR out OF
reach.
Obtaining the arm hold again, Gotch
ssvagely twisted the member until Leon
groaned in intense. pain with sweat
breaking from his face and his eyes al
most starting out OF their sockets. The
giant bravcly suffered the misery how
ever. but slipped into a hammer lock,
which Gotch turned into fall with an
inside nelson.
After II minute rest the men came
together again boxing Obtaining toe
hold Gotch tigetishly began 10 put Leon s
shoulders to the mat. but the giant, un
dergoing severe punishment. used his
hands to break away. Gotch soon OBJ
shoulders 10 the mat Leon told the
referee 10 count the fall but Gotch gen.
crousy refused to do so and
started another fall with full nelson
that he finished i'm less than two minutes
with reverse nelson and the big match
was over,
strength and endurance but lacked in
experience and skill He was slow OF
his feet In comparison to his bulkici
appearing opponent In view of his won
derful physique and strength coupled
with his younSncss. he should make 4
worlds champion with proper training.
''He is the toughest and the best mar
] have met Oh my tour was the compli-
ment Gotch paid 10 the Russian at the
end OF the contest with the propel
training he should make wcnderfu
wrestler.