Montana labor news., 1936-04-30
WRESTLE ROYAL
PROVES THRILLER

The main event OF the wrestling card
at the Butte Miners Union Hall last
Monday was a thriller from start to
finish. Even prior TO the commence
ment OF hostilities an air Of expectancy
pervaded the hall. Elias was the an
nouneer and as he introduced each Of
the five men they were booed or cheer
ed according to the taste of the audi
ence. The aggregation in the battle roy
al composed quite a famous group. b.
Spendlove, who has often been an
nounced as Montana's champion, was
there in all his glory; Jacques Eku,
showing signs Of a little pouch but
otherwise in splendid physical condi-
ton Mickey Mcclure looking very
trim and fit; Eddie Meyers looking
rather small, but the greatest strate-
gist OF all, and last but not least the
Canadian, Johnny Demchuk, with a pair
Of beautifully developed shoulders and
as artistic a boy as could be seen in
Bernard McFadden's Physical Culture
magazine. BY the way, Filos makes a
good announcer.
When the bell rang, the melee start
ed. It was apparent from the very be-
ginning that some premediated plan
had been Matched to get rid Of Mey-
ers. The antics OF the wrestlers and
the comical situations which developed
in the first few minutes Of the wrestl-
ing royal put the spectators in a hill
arious mood. OF all the cards that
have been put on during the wrestling
season, none provoked as much mirth
as this wrestle royal. Someone bunt-
ed Spendlove pretty severely and he
seemed to be knocked out and laid
there without anybody paying any at
tention to him. Finally, however, some
one perceiving his comatose condition
bounced on him and Referee Al Lee
eliminaed Billy from the contest. There
was some little doubt among the spec
tators that Spendlove was really down
at this time and that Lee was two
quick in his decision. Next to suffer
defeat was Eku. In order to assure
that his shoulders were pinned firmly
to the canvas the other three wrestlers
all piled on him much like bales of hay.
After this there was no doubt about
Eku being out Of it.
At this particular period it was evil
dent that Meyers was going to be in
for severe handling because Mcclure
and Demchuk each took turns in catch
ing hold Of Meyers head and neck and
Tipping him over their backs. There
wasn't a chance for him to come out
victorious over this type of punishment
but Meyers is never defeated. He
crawled through the ropes. While he
was in this position he called the at
tention of Referee All Lee to the fact
that Demchuk and Mcclure should
wrestle each other and not wait for him
to get back in the ring. This was a
smart move, because just as soon as
Mickey Mcclure and Johnny Dem
chuk mixed It with each other they for
got all about Meyers. AS a matter OF
fact the program that had apparently
been outlined by the wrestlers, went
hay wire at this point. II Demchuk
and Mcclure had kept their heads and
used their brains and had been a little
smarter, they would have Immediately
ceased battling one another upon the
re-entry Of Meyers. This is what the
crowd wanted and apparently what
had been decided upon. However the
strategy Of Meyers prevailed. He
helped Mcclure eliminate the Cana
dian and that left only Mcclure and
Meyers to battle it out. Mickey put
up a game battle, and possibly if he
had been a little rougher and showed
a little more Of his fighting Irish spirit
he would have conquered Meyers. He
did take the first fall. After that Mey-
ers commenced rubbing eyes and fin
ally got his opponent in a half blind
condition. After repeated warnings
and separations, by Al Lee the bout
was awarded Mcclure on a foul. This
ended the match.
Feferee All Lee could hardly have
done anything else than what he did,
though he was at all times under a lot
of pressure by the audience to make
Meyers behave. The protest of the
fans slid off Lees back like water off
a duck. The audience at most sport
ing events are perfectly willing to
cheat for their side. The fame Of
Butte's sandy-haired wrestling umpire
rests upon his own good sense and his
own determination OF the points OF the
game. He pays little or no heed to the
rawlings Of the outsiders.
In the preliminary contest between
Hager and Whisker Adams, both men
drew cheers time after time. This
event provided a contest between two
OF the most scientific and best condi-
toned men in the wrestling game.
They are about the same weight and
very evenly matched. Neither Of them
play to the grand stand nor resort TO
the ropes for protection or assistance.
They both represent the highest type
Of athletics and sportsmanship in the
The whole card was very good.
wrestling game. Hager won the match.
4 =
ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT
BOOKED FOR WRESTLING FANS
THIS COMING WEEK
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