The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-22
Spear and Wood in Fast Wres-
thing Match at Grand.
GOtch Threw Peters and Asbell
Ahead Of Schedule.
1t WAS VERY EASY.
Peters Substituted for Becker,
Pinned in IL Minutes.
Jim Asbell Was Pushed Over in
16 Minutes.

The wrestling match at the Grand
last night between Joe Wood. To-
peka mat product, who has been man
ing good, and Roy Spear, center OF the
Kansas university football team, was
splendid amateur bout and went to
Wood.
Both lads weigh around 165 pounds
and are fast. In a previous match
March z, the football player won two
falls. Wood has. since that time, har-
bored presentment that he could
throw Spear and proved it last night IN
minutes and % seconds.
The two wrestlers are very evenly
matched and it is only inexperience
which causes one or the other to lose
SO quickly. Each rushed the bout all
the way as he saw an opportunity co
get On the offensive. The crowd warm
ed to their efforts and were cheering
Justify when Spear rent his trunks and
Referee Abbott called a halt for re-
pairs. This took so much time Out
and the two seemed so Well matched,
that the management called the bout
as soon as one fall had been made.
The audience would have liked TO sSe
a finish but Frank A. Gotch had to be
introduced to it as that was the prime
excuse for the gathering.
The champion was slated for an hour
handicap with Carl Becker and jim
Asbell. 1t was announced, however,
that Becker's place would be taken by
Albert Peters. Peters incapacitated
Becker in a match at Denver Monday
night, said Abbott, and for that rea-
son was engaged to fill the bill. Beck
er must be a poor wrestler.
Gotch allowed Peters to stay Il min
utes and seconds but quite obviously
he could have stricken out the min
utes.
He is very hard to handle" Gotten
laughed to the ringside spectators, APP
plying a half Nelson which almost pre-
cipitated fall. why don't you show
us the toe hOld?' some one asked. He
too strong" Gotch replied. Thus say
ing he lay himself across the Grizzly
and waited for him to turn his should
ers to the canvas.
Then Jim AsbelL he of the Jeffries
troupe, and a partner of Gotch in many
falls, entered the arena with 10 min
utes and 8 seconds grace before him.
ASbell conducted himself with more
science than his predecessor. though
he was clearly not SO strong. on see,
1 saved the tough one for the last,
Gotch explained, allowing the Kansas
Cityan to break away. Then Asbeu TOOK
to defending himself by grinding the
champions nose with the heel of his
hand. At each application of the nose
massage, Gotch kindly released his
holds and struck at his opponent, TAX
ing care not to land his blows. The
maneuver and three or four encoros
were granted. Finally with crotch
and half Nelson. Gotch tilted his man
over onto his side and easily securing
a bar lock lay his weight on him and
awaited the end
The affair was not out until nearly
10 o'clock but that can not be blamed
to Gotch. He could not reasonably
have permitted his adversaries to stay
longer, although the crowd repeatedly
called, Don't throw him yet, Gotch-
We want to see some wrestling
Those who went to see Gotch and
cared nothing about the wrestling ex-
hibited, saw a mighty solid chunk OF
power and cleverness combined evei.
though he was not called upon IL
show it. The champion appeared en-
the mat with a boyish smile on his
face and evidently considered the bout
kids play.
In a preliminary between Higgins ana
Anthony, locals. the latter suffered two
broken ribs. He had won the first fali
in minutes. At the next catch, HIS
gins got an advantage and Anthony liz
attempting to spin out rammed his side
onto an elbow and gave up after l1s
minutes.
Another preliminary between Crafty
and Carney, Crafty won the first and
third falls in and minutes, while
Carney took the second in 21s mill