FAMOUS WRESTLER PASSES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 124, 12 February 1918, Page 8

FAMOUS WRESTLER PASSES

DEATH OF FRANK GOTCH. After an illness extending over two ycara the famous American wrestler, Frank Gotch, died at his borne at Humboldt, lowa, on December 16, aged 41 He won the world's championsmp from the "Russian Lion," George Hackenschmidt, in 1908.. Gotch built up a fortune from wrestling; and invested his earnings in lowa farm tends. In a sketch of his career an American writer says: — Although dispatches told from time to time that Frank A. Gotch, the great nranplcr, was far from being a well man, the news of his death came as a distinct shock to his many friends m all parts of the country. Those who had not seen him in the last two years could not realise how the hairy giant had failed physically. They thought his ailment was nothing serious ami that he would soon he his jolly sett again, ready to kid and joke along with auvone and so full of animal life that it was hard for him to be quiet any length of time. , Those who saw Gotch in his prime as a wrestler saw one of the greatest physical human specimens that ever came to grins with another man. He was about sft. llin. tall; built as round as a barrel around the chest; Ins legs wore thick and strong; his neck was ]9in around: lie was as quick as a cat on his feet,'and though his muscles were as soft as those of a woman, m> had tremendous power and strength when he exerted himself. In addition to his great physical qualifications, Gotch was a quick thinker, and he bfnt many a good'mnn by tricking him. He had'an obstruction in his nose and he breathed heavily when wrestling. His hair came down over his forehead and face and when he was breathing labour, edlv he appeared to be all in and on the point of collapse. That is where he fooled many an opponent and hundreds of spectators. I "saw Gotch make Hackenschmidt quit in Chicago in 1903. Those who know say it was the greatest match ever staged, but all I can say is that it was a°stupid thing to watch. For two hours those two big fellows stood head to head, bulling, and butting each other around, before they ever went to the mat at all. It was rough going, and the Russian Lion quit first. Onco "Hack" made a grab at Gotch s left hand, and, catching him by the linger, broke the bono as he would have snapped a pipe stem. Gotch hit '.'Hack" many a short-arm jolt under the chin and'on tlje jaw as they milled around. Finally Gotch got behind "Hack, and with a tremendous effort he lifted him high in the *nir and slammed him to the mat on all fours. "Hack" had been warned against Gotch's toe hold siT often that when Frank reached back to grab "Hack" by tho toe "Hack" kicked right straight back, landing both feet on Gotch, and sendincr him sprawling six feet away. As lie" kicked, "Hack" jumped to his feet and landed on the opposite, side- of the ring with his back to the ropes. He wa" shaking like a leaf. Hack complained after the match that Gotch was greased so that he could not get a firm grip on him. For days before the match Farmer Burns and others massaged cold cream into Gotch's onus and legs, and as he sweat a great deal when he got into-action, he was soon as slippery as an eel. "Hack ,, was a wonderful athlete, but lie had the heart of a, mouse. He was sft. SJin. tall, 58in. around the chest, and weighed 2351b. He war, built like a wedge, and ho was quicker on his feet even than Cfotch. Also he was a stronger man on a straight lift or pull. But he was not as good a cateh-as-catoh can wrestler, for most of his training had been at the Graeco-Roman game.