Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-16
SAVAGE PEEvED
OVER HANDICAP
CIRCUS match
Buffalo County Wrestler Grip.
Piles Circus Finances When
SIav Champ Fails to
Throw Him.

When John Pesek, Buffalo county
mat marvel, goes up against Steve
Savage, the Slav champion, at the
Omaha Auditorium next Friday
night. he will meet foe who has
long been aching for a crack at the
Nebraska phenom.
For Savage has an old score to
settle with Pesek. He is thirsting
for revenge, as il were, and he in
tends to have it Friday night.
There's a story back of this old
score.
Last year Savage was travelling
with Yankee Robinson's circus as an
added attraction. He was meeting
all corners, guaranteeing to forfeit
$50 to any man he could not throw
in 20 minutes.
Kearney, Neb., was one of the
towns on the Robinson itinerary.
Pesek learned that Savage was meet
ing all corners. So the foxy Pesek
framed stunt.
Pulls RUDE Act.
Dressing himself in a suit of farm
er's clothes, Pesek came to Kearney
and bought a grandstand seat at the
circus. When the announcer in
formed the audience ofethe Savage
offer, Pesek jumped to his feet and
shouted, "I'll wrestle him"
The circus attendants snickered up
their sleeves. This was going to be
pretty soft. THAT big hick'll get
his neck broken" razorback con-
fided to a comrade. A gentleman Of
rural appearance nearby overheard
the remark.
"I'll bet SIS he won't" offered the
rural party. The razorback snapped
him up and passed out the word
that the farmers were backing the
challenger. Immediately the circus
men began to seek out followers of
Pesek in the audience. They had
no trouble finding them. Before the
match started several hundred dol
lars had been risked on the outcome.
Surprise for Savage.
The circus men chortled in their
glee. They didn't know it was
Pesek who was going to enter the
ring. Who would have suspected
the rubbish party as a professional
wrestler? Certainly not them. Not
even Savage suspected that there
might be colored party in the
wood pile and when he tore into
Pesek at the start of the match it
was with the confidence of cham
pion.
Then he got the surprise of his
life. For his farmer opponent
proved to be real wrestler. Des-
perately Savage strove to flatten his
shoulders upon the mat, but to his
surprise found his challenger was
behind him most of the time. In
the 20 minutes Savage could do
nothing with Pesek. So he sug-
gested 10 more minutes. Pesek was
willing. They flew at each other
again, Pesek laughing, Savage
Sowing. And again Savage failed
to down his man.
Then, when it was all over and
the Nebraska farmers had collected
their bets and Pesek his $50, Savage
discovered the identity of his OPP
ponent.
John Pesek, Ell" snarled Savage.
Tried to be the little foxy kid, did
he? Well, I'll get him some day,
and when I do, you can kiss him
goodby."
That's why Savage has been wait
ing for a chance at the Buffalo |
county lad. He'll get that chance
next Friday night at the Omaha
Auditorium and he promises to
make good. But there are lot Of
Shelton county farmer lads who saw
that impromptu match out at Kear-
ney, who are going to be down here |
with the money they won that time
in the hope-of doubling it Friday. 1t |
promises to be warm match that |
Omaha wrestling enthusiasts will |
see.
Seats will be placed on sale at the |
Auditorium, Merritt's drug store, |
Ernie Holmes and the Merchants |
hotel. Prices are 81 and 50 with
few choice ringside seats at So.