New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-04-27
STETCHER ANDLEWIS
IN DRAW BATTLE
Giant Grapplers on Mat Two
Hours, Neither Gaining a Fall

Mcdonald, Big Bill Edwards and
Mrs. George Wheelock. which re-
suited in the purchase Of more than
$4,000 worth of Liberty Bonds in
less than fifteen minutes, the big
wrestling bout between Ed Stranger
Lewis of Kentucky and Joe Stecher
of Nebraska took place before a huge
crowd in Madison Square Garden last
night. The men did not crawl through
the ropes until 1890 o'clock and no
fall had been scored during the first
half hour and half.
In the first half hour the men
crowded q world of action, and the
fans were thrilled by the fast work
1t was about even Steven" between
Stecher's famous scissors hold and
Lewis equally we'll known deadlock
Each made desperate attempts to
apply their tavorite hold, and each
succeeded in doing SO. only to have
his opponent break free. At the end
OF the first half hour Stecher played
Lewis own act and had the Stranger
in jeopardy for fifteen seconds with
Eds own pet deadlock
Not more than half Of the big
crowd that damned the building
when Stecher and Lewis crawled
through the ropes for the big bout
OF the evening was on hand for the
opening bouts. Those who were
there saw some interesting graphing,
however.
Big Sale OF Liberty Bonds.
Big Bill Edwards stirred the crowd
to a. patch of enthusiasm such as
seldom is seen when he made plea
for the sale of Liberty Bonds.
i,,
money you have been saving up for
a rainy day." roared Big Bill, FOR
its raining and raining hard. There
is no money too sacred for the Lib
erty Loan. Give, give all that you've
got for America. That's your part,
my part, in the Gig Game. We must
play it and play it right. If there
is any one in this great crowd of red
blooded men and women who has not
subscribed to the Third Liberty Loan,
I don't want him her to leave this
building without fulfilling his obliga-
items to our country and our boys
over there"
After Mrs. George Wheelocx had
followed with another dramatic ap-
peal, Lieut.. Mcdonald clam bered on
to the platform and asked subscrip-
tons. A $4,000 sale was consum-
mated in less than a minute.
Following the drive for Liberty
Bonds, a cap and shoulder strap of
q German officer. which were sent
over by Charley Rose, Freddy
Welch's old trainer now with an am
bulance unit "over there" was auc-
toned off for 800. Larry Water
bury, the polo player, was one of
the bidders He offered $500. The
souvenirs were finally sold to Will
liam H. Young. who asked that both
the 500 and the souvenirs be turned
over to The Sun Tobacco fund.
1t was not until 1895 that Stecher
and Lewis were permitted to come on
the mat. Joe Humphries announced
tho men would wrestle to one fall
with a. two hour limit.
Gets Into Action Early.
The men came to grips quickly and
in the first four minutes of wrestling
both men made nervy attempts to
secure holds. Stecher tried for a leg
hold, but Lewis kicked himself free.
An instant later Lewis nearly Sc
Tipped out Of it. Stecher slipped
! enc of Lewis rushes and got a body
hold from the rear. The Stranger
dropped to the mat and by brute
strength broke Joe's hold.
After four and half minutes of
wrestling Lewis gained his favorite
head lock and for eighteen seconds
| the Nebraskan submitted to the pres
sure before breaking it. Then fol.
| lowed a thirty second period Of light.
ming work, with both wrestlers tax.
ing and breaking various holds. De-
spite the fast work neither wrestler
was windcd, SO splendidiy were they
conditioned.
Oaly by a desperate effort did this
Stranger prevent Stecher from Sc
curing the full scissors grip. They
souirmed about on the mat with first
one and then the other on top. Lewis
secured the head lock and for nine.
teen seconds had Stecher in jeopardy.
There was q cruel blue welt across
Joe's forehead when he finally broke
| free.
Less than two minutes later Joe re-
| taliated by getting the scissors hold,
| but the grip was too high up and
! Joe could not exert the pressure
across ribs. Lewis wriggled free and
| after thirty seconds clamped Stech-
| ersers head with the head lock. Joo
broke it in nine seconds.
Stechcr Wins Scissors Hold.
It was only. after ten minutes of
| WRESTLING, that Stecher made an at
| tempt for his body scissors hold. He
| wrapped one leg around Lewis body
and tried desperately to work the
| other leg under but Lewis blocked
| him. The Stranger secured q head
| hold but Joe spun out.
Obtaining q waist lock and leg
| grapevine Lewis hurled Stecher to
! the mat and tried for a Nelson. The
! two souirmed off the mat and were