The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-21
MAT QUARREL
WITH STECHER
FINALLY ENDS
First Fall Won by deadlock
Artist After Two Dreary
Hours of Rolling
ED is CLEARLY SUPERIOR
Dizzy Maze of Action Finds
Lewis Pinned by Joe Aft.
CT sc Seconds
ED is CLEARLY SUPERIOR
BY CHARLES w. DUNkLEY
(AssOciated Press Sports Nritcr)


ASSOCIATED Press Sports Nritcr)
st. Louis, Feb. 21.-lP,-Ed
stranger Lewis of Kansas City,
reigns today as undisputed cham
pion OF the wrestling world.
BY defeating Joe Stechcr of
Dodge. Neb. claimant of the title.
in three fall match at the Coils
cum last night, Lewis ended the
quarrel that has existed between
them for seven years: Since the
time the STRANGER" defeated
Stecher in New York in 1920.
Lewis, the deadlock king. won
Two falls. He pinned Stcchcr for
the first in 2:l6:32 with a bar arm.
half nelson and scissors hold on
the arm. Stcchcr Topped Lewis
IN 2:l6:32. He captured the third
and deciding fall in Il minutes 80
seconds with bar arm, or perhaps
a double wrist lock. Nobody was
clear on the exact hold because Of
the excitement in the dramatically
sudden finish.
Stecher Wins Second
Stecher won the second fall in a
dizzy maze of quick action, lasting
only fifty-six seconds. Lewis, in a
moment Of carelcssness, fell victim
to n double wristlock and was
pinned in such astonishing quick
time that he was dumfounded.
In winning the second fall, Stech-
or, who had only lost two matches
IN fourteen years previous to last
nights defeat, showed the only
flash Of aggressivcness that he dis
played during the entire contest.
lie was Outgamed, outmaneuvered.
outtricked and outwrcstled. Lewis,
although past the 35-ycar-old mark,
carried the battle to Stecher from
the start. He displayed super
wrestling ability, thickness, and
courage. He won fairly and de-
cisivcly, never leaving 4 doubt as
to the outcome after the men had
been on their feet for an hour.
From n wrestling standpoint IN
the matter Of holds exhibited, science
and thought displayed, Lewis Is en-
titled to the laurels. Stecher gave
no evidence of being in the match
except defensively. His famous
scissors hold was not employed once
to an advantage and was attempt
only twice during the contest. Lewis
made attempts to clamp on his
famous headlocks, and succeeded in
furnishing Stecher with them.
Crowd Thrilled Twice
1t was the second and third falls
which gave the crowd it's only
thrills of the match. The men had
hardly started to wrestle when it
was all over. Stecher grabbed
Lewis by the left arm with both
hands clamping on deadly double
wristlock. He carried Lewis to the
floor, sprawling all over him, and
awkardly forcing him to the mat.
The third fall came unexpectedly
and without warning but with Lewis
forcing the issue. He vainly tried
to clamp on few headlocks, then
switched his attack to the arms and
upset Stecher with bar arm or a
double wristlock. He viciously ap-
piled the leverage while Stecher.
seeking to escape, moved his body
to the edge Of the ring and tangled
his feet in the ropes.
Harry s. Sharpe, the referee, was
lying flat on his stomach on the
canvas, watching for Stechers
shoulders tn touch the mat. He did
not hear the yells from Toney
Stecher, brother Of the Nebraska
wrestler, calling upon Sharpe to or
der the men to the center of the
ring. When convinced that Stcch-
er's shoulder blades were on the
canvas, Sharpe patted Lewis on the
shoulders, signifying him as the
winner.