Year: 1875

A MAGNIFICENT TRIAL OF PHYSICAL SKILL


VICTORY OF PROFESSOR BAUER


Another OF those magnificent exhibitions OF physical
skill took place at the Grand Opera House last evening
between Andre Christoi and Professor 2. Bauer who
all the way from San Francisco TO try conclusions
with the famous Frenchman whose wonderful skill in
wrestling has been often chroniced in these coumns
The match for $500 side best two in three falls
with restrictions to grip. AT the final meeting on
Friday the stakes we're deposited, and Colonel T. H.
Monastery was chosen referee


As the hour approached for the contest the lobbes of
the Opera House filed with gentlemen who were
speculatng the result, and many wagers said
to have been made among the sporting up town
and not few between members Of the Stock Exchange


large number Of whom were noticed in the auditorium
management of Mr f. Engelhardt At about half past
eight o'clock the referee and judges-one for each
contestant-came on the stage and soon after


ATHLETES


Professor Bauer is a man possessing many personal
advantages Of both face and form. He seemed very
beau ideal OF the old Greek athlete with the face Of
Apollo and tho form Of Hercules NJ. Cnrstol seemed
10 have the rugged strength OF the ancient Roman
gladiator and 10 possess the quick intelligence well
the nervous and savage vigor OF the panther Both
men were naked above the waist and both blue
trunks Christol having sash, but Bauer wearing
scarlet one the limbs Of both being encased in tights


IL soon apparent to connoisseurs that Bauer
the more expert gymnast, but that his condition was
not good as Christols whose muscles stood out
shoulders breast and back like knots Of oak and
whose hesh white and hard, while that OF Bauer's
rosy tinted as a baby's


THE FIRST ROUND.


The men met, and, like flash, they were hand
locked and trying each to gain the advantage the
other for grip At this moment their poses were
wonderful studies for the artist and anatoms To look
At the background on the stage-which set for
tnurnamen-and at the two splendid contestants re-
qured but little stretch Of Imagination be trans
ported to those 0ympian games whore heart heart
and shoulder 70 shoulder the giants Of that day strug
gcd for the priZes


First Christoi got back hold on his antagonist
Bauer's head was beneath the chest Of the stouter
Frenchman, and with great effort the Professor was
thrown the ground but his shoulders did touch
and like eel he his feet again confronting
Christo Another fall took place. this time In favor Of
Bauer but the advantage was OF short duration, for
Christo, by supreme effort, regained his feet but
Bauer turned a summerset and once more threw his
man, who, however, showed great science in get
ting the advantage In his After a severe struggle
he pressed Bauer TO the ground, touching bis two
shoulders The referee declared the first fall for Chris
toll The time consumed IN this struggle eight
minutes


rER SECOND ROUND


commenced az FIVE minutes TO nine O'Clock and was
superoly contested Bauer at one time lifted bis adj
versary bodily from the floor held him above hs head
for a moment and then, finding II impossible 10 place
him in the position TO win let him drop, the French
man falling like cat on his feet, and Instantly
suming dangerous position for Bauer, whom he
grasped By dexterous head lock- Both men were
painting and the perspiration on their bod es made IL
difficult 10 retain grip Chrsto, however, seemed TO
have the best OF it and held his rival
vise-like grip At this moment Bauer executed
a movement which thrilled the vast audience; gather
Ing himself up for supreme effort he turned somer-
sault with Christol on his back bringing the French
man down with both shoulders the floor The
referee decided that Bauer bad the fall and tho
audience wildly applauded This contest lasted twelve
minutes


THIRD LAST ROUND.


AZ this 70 decide the contest II, or course was
the exciting There a repetition here Of the
wondrous skill Of both wresters Al time Chrstol
was held under Bauer's body tho 1oor the upper
gladiator struggling with back, limbs neck
and head 70 press Christols shoulders
down, but again the Frenchmanis skin
sufficient TO enable him 70 escape
and the contest renewed with stern determination
Bauer again threw his and the audience In the gal
ley declared be bad won but the referee decided not
so the wrestling continued Fortune, however, was
with the new cOmer, and after few more magnihcon
coups, Christol thrown, both shoulders down and
Bauer declared tho victor amid lond applause
Both called out by the frequent plAudits Al
FIVE minutes past ten the game ended the last round
having lasted twenty five minutes.