New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-02
LEWIS BATTLES
ABERG TO DRAW
IN WRESTLING
College Boy Shows Great
Stamina in Bout With
Worlds Champion.

Stranger" Lewis. the tvcnty-three-
year-old college boy, held Alex Aberg
champion Greco Roman wrestler of the
world, to a draw last night at the Man
haitian Opera Ho a. after two hours
and two minutes Of sensational wotk
on the mat
The match was at Abero's favorite
style, yet the Russian was unable to
pin his opponents shoulders to the
ground. and the after appeared fully
as strong as the champion when the
bout was ended cause Of the legal
closing hour.
Although Lewis had been thrown by
Aberg only week before, in less than
forty minutes, he showed no fear OF
his adversary last night. and was on
the aggressive a considerable part OF
the time. In the last half hour the
champion, goaded to desperation by his
inability TO down his rival, charged at
Lewis like a wild animal, mauling and
roughing him as only he can manhsndle
an opponent.
Lewis, however. went back at the
Russian fiercely and the audience was
in an uprOar Of excitement as the men
heGved and strained about the mat
their teeth barred and every muscle
tense. Twice Aberg secured a full Mel
son hold on Lewis's neck and then
began TO twist il. as ne had with the
/ Masked Marvel" the night before.
The Stranger was in superb condi-
tion last night, though, and showed his
/ immense strength by breaking away
! from the Russians bearlike grip with
then plunging in again to the attack
/ before A5erg could recover from his
surprise.
The champion tried every trick at his
command in the effort TO gain fall and
had mis- opponent in desperate straits
on half a dozen occasions. Once the
men Lay on the mat together. each with
the others head in chancery holds. For
'hrec minutes they remained with
hardly a movement, except for the
sraining Of their muscles as they
fought for the mastery, at the end OF
WI ch time they broke away simulta-
reously.
Lewis goaded Aberg into frenzy by
rubbing the Russians ears continu-
ously. and the champion rushed head
first at his opponent, as a bull charges
az the matador. But the American was
quick as a cat on his feet, and fire.
quently AbeTg numbered off the mat
and crashed into the press tables. In
me last period the champion secured
another full nelson and tried TO pound
Lewis's head on tho ground, but the
latter's great strength prevented this
After doing little more than sit on
ne Strangers head for three minutes
berg was made 70 break the hold by
George Bothner, the referee, who said
he had made a new rule. that a hold OF
this description should not be held for
more than three minutes unless a fall
was secured. The audience applauded
the announcement. as this rule is cal
eulated 20 prevent undue brutality and
heighten the interest in the wrestling
game.
The Masked Marvel" scheduled "a
wrestle Jack McGrath, appeared in cos
tune. and through mis- manager an
nounced he was ready to go on II the
audience insisted. but that he really
needed a rest after his weeks Of siren
uous work, especially as he meets Lewis
TO a finish tomorrow. WIKI one voice
the audience said: Take rest, Mar
veil" So Linow was substituted and
held McGrath 10 a draw.
Humphries announced that, beginning
tomorrow night, the toe hold would be
barred in catch-as-catch-can wrestling
owing to criticism upon the part of the
J spsctston.