The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-05-01
''HALF-NELSON''
CAUSES DEATH
Michael Jeleniewski Dies At
St. GATHERINGS Monday At
ternOon As Result of
Wrestling Accident.
THROWN BY CICERO MAN

Michael Jeleniewski, aged % years,
one of Kenosha s cleverest wrestlers,
died late Monday afternoon at the st.
GATHERINGS Hospital as the result of
receiving broken neck when thrown
by half-Nelsono by Tony Jers, a
Cicero, Ill, wrestler, at bout at the
st. Peter s hall Saturday night. Jele-
niewski in attempting to break the
hold let his foot slip on the mat in such
a way that both wrestlers were thrown
with all their weight, falling On the
base of his neck. He was hurried to
the st. Catherine s hospital Saturday
evening but never reused from an un-
conscious condition.
Three hundred Kenoshans saw the
fatal accident on Saturday evening and
among them were three brothers of the
victim all lately returned from the
war. The evening program of wrest-
ling had been arranged by the broth
ers, all OF whom are good Wrestlers, as
celebration of their return from sew
eral months in the service. The bouts
were under the direction of Victor Je-
leniewski, the Oldest brother, a profess
sional trainer for the Polish Lokal
Athletic society Of Chicago.
1t was just little bit of bad
luck said one Of the brothers to Cor
oner Truman Parker this morning.
We all saw the accident and there
was absolutely nothing out Of the
way He explained that Michael had
been booked to wrestle with Chicago
man but when this one failed to appear
he had one on the mat with Jers. Vic
tor Jeleniewski was arranging another
bout when the fatal match started but
returned to the ringside just as his
brother was thrown.
The death brought out today one of
the best service stories of Kenosha
families in the war. When war was
declared, the four sons all anxious to
serve the colors had drawn lots to see
who would stay at home to care for the
mother, while the others answered the
call. lie was decided that Michael, the
victim of Saturdays accident should
be the one to stay in Kenosha and
early in the war all of the three broth
ers went to the army camps. Recent
1y Victor, the eldest, returned after two
years service in the TT. Sheridan Am
bulance Corps and few days later
was joined by bis brothers, Teofil and
Leopold, both having served in the in
fantry. The Saturday night exhibit
tion had been arranged as a sort of
Welcome Home" celebration for the
four hrothers--for they insist that
Michael, although he stayed in Keno
sha, helped win the war-by their
friends here.
Coroner Truman Parker after thor
ough investigation of the case, de-
clared this morning that it was his
belief that the death was entirely ac-
cidental and that no legal action
would be taken further. The bouts were
held under the auspices of the st. Pet
IS Athletic Association and District
Attorney Peter Fisher, Jr., is investi-
eating the case to ascertain whether or
not a permit should have been obtain
ed.
Michael Jeleniewski was one of the
most popular and best known of the
Lithuanians of Kenosha. He was also
highly respected by officials of the
Nash Motors Company, where he was
for years employed as machinist. He
is survived in addition to his brothers
by his mother Mrs. Anton Jeleniewski
with whom he made his home at 963
Jenne street. The funeral services will
be held Thursday morning at the st.
Peters church after which interment
will be made at the st. George GENE
terry.