By: “DragonKingKarl” Karl Stern (Patreon)
Professional Wrestling Historian: Author of DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus
10-06-1859: A large wrestling tournament was advertised for weeks in the Nevada City, CA newspapers. The Nevada National newspaper reports that 126 people turned out to participate for a number of cash prizes. The top six winners as reported by the newspaper were: Richard Redda (1st place winning $100) followed by: William Wallace, James Treloar, Thomas Rosewall, Richard Goldwothy, and Alexander Leathlean. The style was said to be Cornish Style wrestling with jackets. One wrestler, Charles Libby, received a broken collarbone.
DragonKingKarl Note: In Cornish wrestling the objective is to throw your opponent and cause them to land as flat as possible on their back. Each of the wrestlers wears a jacket (similar to Judo) enabling them to grip their opponent. You are not allowed to grab hold of your opponent's arms, wrists or fingers nor hold below the waist. A wrestler scores points by throwing their opponent onto their back, the number of pins hitting the floor being the number of points scored. Jack Carkeek is an example of an expert at this style of wrestling.
10-06-1865: Buffalo, NY: One Mile Track: Homer Lane defeated N.J. Titus for a $1000 purse.
10-06-1881: Sioux City, IA: Academy: Attendance: “Very Good”: Another William Muldoon, Clarence Whistler, Andre Christol exhibition show takes place. William Muldoon was sick and unable to wrestle but made an appearance. Clarence Whistler defeated Andre Christol in Greco-Roman. The $100 open challenge to the audience was accepted by a Mr. Buttner who was defeated by Clarence Whistler. Buttner was said to be “no novice” but Whistler easily defeated him.
10-06-1887: Jack Carkeek wrestled Thomas Bragg at St. James's Hall in Plymouth, England. The match went to a draw after multiple disputed falls.
10-06-1891: New York City, NY: Ernest Roeber defeated Henry Volting in 3 falls of Greco-Roman wrestling.
Taken from Karl Stern’s book DragonKingKarl’s Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon.
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