Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-17

death af Frank 4. totem WIN
much sorrow. G0tch was well
known in this community, having
appeared here ON number OF
occasion, Farmer Burns, who
taught Gotct the tricks OF the
sport In the early days, was at
one time closely associated with
the game here.
Humboldt, Iowa, Dec. 17.-Frsnk A
Gotcb. retired champion heavyweight
wrestler Of the world died at his
home here yesterday at noon. Death
followed a lingering Illness Of several
weeks of uremic poisoning, and was
not unexpected, as relatives and inti-
mate friends Of the great athletic had
known for more than month that
Gotch could not live more than two
months.
Gotch had been a lifelong resident
of this county and town with the
exception Of The time he spent in max
ing extensive tours of the country /
while he was the heavy weight |
wrestling champion, and the few trips I
he made In recent years in an effort |
TO improve his health he has always |
lived either on one or the other of his
farms near here or in this town.
Gotch was 81 years old. The rec /
ord books detailing the events Of his
life give his age as 80 years, but these
are inaccurate He was born April
81 1876 on a farm three miles south
of Humboldt.
He is survived by bis wife 4-year-
old son, Robert Gotch brother, Fred
Gotch; IA sister. Mrs Charles Kurth OF
Humboldt and his mother Mrs.
Amelia Gotch, also a resident of this
town.
His wife and son we're at his bed
side when death came. 1t is said that
the famous athlete was conscious al
most up to the end despite the rumors
that have been in circulation during
the last two months that he was If
rational part OF the time.
The story of GbtChs efforts to re-
gain his health is almost as long as
the story of his many battles on the
mat battles that won him the worlds
championship. and enabled him to re-
tire TO private life holding the title.
The first intimation that his health
was not as good as 1t should be came
to him In the summer Of 1916, when he
was making q tour of the country with
circus as a test to see whether he
should sign articles for match with
Joe Stecher Of Dodge. Neh., who had
won the title from Charlie Cutler of
Chicago Gutch had declared Cutler
the American champion upon his re
tirement
Gotch had been with the circus,
wrestling with Bob Managoff Earl
Caddock and others only a short time
when he was compelled 20 return to
his home because of stomach trouble
lie never fully reEained his health. al
though he later reioined the circus
being compelled TO leave ii again
when he Injured his ankle.
The discoveries the champion made
regarding his condition that summer
caused him to abandon all plans of &
match with Stecher, and the following
= spring Earl Caddocll won the titit
from the Nebraskan, at Omaha, wheI
he was substituted at Gotchs behes
for the Humboldt man.
The following winter Gotch failet
TO improve and during the col,
months went to Hot Springs. Ark II
returned here last spring. but gradu
ally lost strength and became weaker
Early in October he went to Chicag
on his way to a southern resort, bu
became seriously i'll in a Chicago no
tel. He was removed to a Hospital
where he was kept until early 10 No
vember, when he was brought BAG
here.
Since that time he had been able t
leave his home only two or thre
times and then for only short stroll!
Ten days ago II was necessary for hi
relatives to call in special nurse
but the best OF care did not help hin
and he gradually grew worse.
Gotch built up a fortune in wrest
ling and by investing his earnings /
Iowa farm lands. His estate is var
ously estimated at between $4,000
and 100000 all of which represent
money made through his ability as
grappler.
Gotch won the American champion
ship Jan. 81, 1904, from Tom Jenkin
after one of the toughest matche
ever seen In this country. The bot
was staged at Bellingham, Wasl
Gotch won the first fall and wa
awarded the second after Jenkins ha
"a fouled him repeatedly by applying Ii
strangie hold and by striking him.
nf Four years later the Humboldt ma
won the undisputed wrestling chan
pionship of the world by defeatin
George Hackenschmidt, the Russia
Lion" at the Dexter Park pavilion
Chicago. in forfeited match after tw
hours of grueling wrestling. Their
was no fall in the match, but the fl
vader quit. exhausted. after two hour
of effort against man who plainl
showed that he was superior in ever
respect
Makes Toe Hold Famous.
The champion was the man VII
made the toe hold and the crotch hol
famous He was the first man TO us
he former Furnishing grip effectivel
and became famous for hts ability |
apply II and 10 make his opponent
quit when he used il. When Gotch Wa
In the zenith of his career the tc
lold was as much talked of as Ii
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