Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-11
WOMAN MAT FAN
TELLS OF MATCH
Member of Argus Staff Picks
Roller as Favorite at Be-
ginning of Contest.
BOTH FINE SPECIMENS
Scribe Grows Enthusiastic Over Posi-
biIities of Physical Training
Prejudice Rebuked.
BY MARY AQUIN.

BY MARY AQUIN.
A number OF women witnessed the
Demetral-Roller wrestling match at
Exposition park last night and, aside
from the disastrous and unforseeable
denouement, after an hour and a half
battle between the giants, frankly pro-
claimed 1t an enjoyable experience and
one well worthy the attention of any
one, man or woman. a great deal is
said of the survival of the fittest,"
but it is in seldom instances that a
fair and equal start is given and in
most struggles, ethical or physical,
through which nature or human
passes, handicaps are existent that
make the contest unequal.
The exhibition last night brought
together two men, superbly trained for
conquest, evenly matched in intelli-
gence, wit and physique. In two pre-
vious meetings, the starter announced,
these men had met and taxed their
ingenuity without result as to victor.
Therefore it was with full cognizance
of and respect of each others ability
that they again met and after hand
clasp backed to their corners for the
start of the match. 1t was patent that
there was to be a battle royal, well
within wrestling rules. Though we
possess no knowledge of the scientific
pointing of the game we are content
to believe the verdict of those about
us that every known hold was employ
ed and an exhibition given that reflect
ed honor upon the combatants up till
the time of the regrettable accident.
Roller Is Favorits.
Skill, dexterity, wit, poise, strength
were amassed to a degree unthinkable.
With bodies dripping II perspiration,
the gladiators tackled one another in
a series Of clinches AMI holds, the en-
durance of which caused mere woman
to sit up and take notice. 1t didn't re-
quire any technical knowledge on our
part to feel the decisive moments; in
fact, we had to keep a stiff bride rein
to abstain from becoming rabid fan.
No doubt little knowledge of the game
gives us the right to be called truly
unprejudiced, for we rooted irrespec-
tive as to favorite. We had, however,
our three cents capitalize leftover
from last weeks envelope-landed
squarely on Roller, though we realized
he might not be able TO increase our
wealth. A primal justiia5ls feminine
instinct with regard to manly beauty
probably was the determ1nism source
to risk our last cent.
DR.. Roller is of superb build, long
bodied and carrying considerable
weight. Refined in features, he made
a picture that put Apollo out of the
running for the time being. Dome
trail. of peculiarly slender tapering
waist and 1.-the limbs. catliKe in quick
ness, with straight line from neck to
torso that means dominance IN whom
ever seen, was equally impressive of
beauty; though temperamentally OF
different, no less worthy, sort. Both
are extraordinary handsome speci-
mems. Present day civilization can
call down through the ages to the
arenas of Rome and Greece that DAM
etral and Roller live to give hint OF
the mighty gladiators of old and their
prowess wherein fair Lygias were res
cued and wild beasts grappled and |
thrown to death. From our viewpoint
we are no judge of tactics-it was a |
tremendous exhibition.
Time shall not erase from memory |
the picture of Demetral with Roller |
held high in air, a wriggling mass OF
poised muscle, apparently in the hol |
low of his hand; nor of the times !
where, by quick wit, Roller held his |
man at will in the corner of his under
turned arm while he rested and gained |
breath to his foes discontinue. 1t |
was in one of those handfuls of |
that Demetral met defeat and
went down under the impacted weight
of Roller who landed squarely with the
speed of bolt from the sky upon Dem
etrars stomach. Demetral plainly was
injured and it is due DR.. Roller to say
that he was the first to notice his op-
ponent was vitality hurt. 1t appeared
an accident, due to DemetraPs fool
hardness.
Sympathy for Demetral.
Very naturally, Demetral when he
gained his feet after the services of
physicians couldn't grasp the exact
cause of his injury. Again our femi-
nine instincts came to bat and we
broadly with DemetraI
and believe that DR.. Roller was right
IN announcing himself open to another
in which the Greek be
given another chance to establish his
claim to the championship.
DR.. Roller in responding to the
crowds desire for a word from him,
.ook occasion to rebuke the audience
'or race prejudice when. Demetral had
essayed to speak, and pointedly re-
minded the aggregation in no uncer-
ain language that 1t was foreign
through its veins sucking in the blood
II all continents.
We wouldn't have missed that little
spiel for the price of a mortgage on
,ur savings account. We hope 1t sunk