New-York tribune., 1917-12-23
Zbyszko Wins
From Stranger
In Long Bout
Match on Mat Lasts Hour
and Forty-seven Minutes
-Poundage Tells
By Louis Lee Arms

After one hour and forty-seyen
minutes of wrestling last night at the
Lexington Theatre Wladek Zbyszko
smothered Ed STRANGER Lewis with
a body and scissors hold and pinned
him to the mat. 1t made one victory
for each man in the current wrestling
tournament.
The defat Of Lewis was made pos
sible by the error Of an instan. COM
mited by the famous head lock artist.
He had turned to address a remark
to Ivan Linow, the Russian wrestler,
who was taunting the STRANGER from
his corner over the protests Of Man
ager Billy Sandow. As he did so
Zbyszko !caped at Lewis, carried him
10 the mat and pinned him there.
Throughout the 107 minutes of wrest-
ling the evidence of bad blood between
the two wrestlers, who are striving for
the laurels left by Gotch, was evident.
Twice Zbyszko obtained vicious toe
holds on Lewis and all but forced the
Southerner TO resign. At another time
the right food OF the stalwart Pole fell
into the hands of Lewis and the Strang-
Ter bended the foot almost double.
Zbyszko in a frenzy of agony finally
struggled free after Referee George
Bothner had stopped to the mat and
asked him if he wanted to resign.
A Rough Match
The match was wrestled roughly and
for the most part both men were on
their feet. During the first hour they
were on the mat l3 minutes. and 80 sec
onds, of which time Lewis was behind
his man 10 minutes and 35 seconds.
As the second hour began Zbyszko's
superior poundage began to exert itself
in his favor. Three minutes after the
first hour he took his first toe hold on
Lewis. Beads Of perspiration stood out
on Lewis's brow and his face was con-
torted with agony as Zbyszko. in per-
feet position for this cruel mold. threw
his weight on the Kentucgian's foot.
Zbyszko held Lewis for almost full
minute before the Strangler wriggled
free. He came up limping perceptibly,
and it was apparent that the toe hold
had taken something out OF him.
There developed apace a near riot IN
Lewis's corner. Ivan Linow, who is OF
the Zbyszko retinue. stood behind Billy
Sandow, manager OF Lewis, and ad-
dressed remarks TO the Strangler. Of
fcials of the match failed to stop him,
and it seemed at an ytime as though
Sandow and Linow were to come TO
blows.
Within Touch of Mat
Forty-fve minutes after the hour
Lewis took an arm hold, wrist lock and
SCISSORS on the giant Pole and brought
his shoulders within inches OF the mat.
Linow continued 10 coach Zbyszko and
as the Pole broke the hold and came
Ia his feet Lewis turned to speak TO
the Russian.
In that instant Zbyszko lunged at
Lewis, carried him 10 the edge Of the
mat and pinned him nhis shoulders.
At the end Of the match Zbyszkos
countrymen leaped onto the stage, and
some Of them kissed the winner
The Lexington Theatre was packed
from pit to dome and hundreds were
turned away. Several hundred seats
had been placed upon the stage. and
these were occupied By ladies' as we'll
as gentlemen.
In this match il was agrred that
Lewis would forego the deadlock and
this led to the stipulation that neither
man would essay any head holds.
Up 10 the time Of the pin fall the
honors had been fairly even with Lewis
taking the greater punishment through
the two toe holds that Zbyszko took on
him,