GREAT WRESTLING MATCH IN AMERICA.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1290, 8 May 1878, Page 3

GREAT WRESTLING MATCH IN AMERICA.

The latest report published of a meeting between Miller, the Australian athlete, and Baner, the Frenchman, in the wre.-tling arena gave victory to Bauer. The two met again at Baltimore on the 29th November, and as will be seen from the following report, from the “Baltimore American,” the Australian succeeded in regaining his laurels :

Front Street Theatre was comfortably tilled last evening with a noisy and enthusiastic audience tbnt had gathered to see Professor Miller and Bauer engage in a wrestling contest, the result of which decided the possession of the title of “ champion of the world.” To those who came to see a match in which chances were evidently divided, and in which each man was on his mettle to do his best, the event proved to be no disappointment. For nearly two hours, with brief intervals, these two mighty men of brawn, whose muscles are like flexible steel tempered to its utmost strength and elasticity, strove to defeat each other. Both struggled bard. Science was brought to bear against strength, agility, and quickness against weight and power ; but finally Miller, who combines considerable science with a large degree of activity and great strength, preva led over Bauer, who possesses much science and only lacks strength in a comparative sense, and that is when M iller is his adversary. From the first Bauer was the aggressor’. His method was to force the issue, while Miller, depending upon his power of endurance, acted ou the defensive, and only exerted himself when au opportunity presented itself to overcome his antagonist. Major Hill acted as judge for Bauer, and Mr Cutaiar for Miller. Mr Sears was referee, and Frank Games time-keeper. Time was called for the first round at 8 22 o’clock As the men bounded ou the stage and down to the footlights a storm of applause greeted them —Bauer, all grace and activity, looking in prime condition ; Miller stalwart and muscular, a trifle iu Hesh perhaps detracting from his standing with the betting people, of whom the number was limited, however, which is not strange, for if horse racing “ is mighty onsartin,” so also is wrestling, and you cannot tell who is going to win until ho has done it.

The men faced each other and clasped hands, and with but little preliminary sparring went to work, Hauer clasped Miller about the waist, put him on all fours, and nearly turned him over, when suddenly the positions were reversed, and Bauer was struggling underneath. That little bout was but child’s play to the woi k that followed. In a few seconds the men were erect and facing each other. Tin ir arms writhed in and about each other like snakes, but Bauer, who invariably fought off his opponent’s grasp on his right arm, suddenly seized Miller’s shoulder, threw him half-way round, and grasping him about the waist, lifted and tried to throw him. It was a futile effort. The man from Lancashire was up to such tricks, and he let himself easily down upon the carpet, resting upon his stomach. For a moment the giants were prostrate together, the one waiting for the attack, the other selecting a mode by which to make it. There was [not long to wait. Slipping his arm under Miller, Bauer pressed his head down with one hand and with the other underneath, using his knee as a fulcrum, quickly threw Miller’s heels in the air and then clear over to the floor. His shoulder touched the carpet, but before the Frenchman could follow up this slight advantage, Miller was standing in front of him, ready to face and defeat his efforts. The work continued for nearly half an hour. By that time both men were perspiring freely, and the steam from their recking bodies came off them like a cloud. Both were somewhat blown, but Bauer, who had laboured hardest, was breathing heavily. The men had by this time pretty well sounded each other’s ability, and the result of their observations was apparently an increased respect for each other’s prowess. During the next half hour they worked cautiously, and only one incident of note occurred. Bauer got a deadlock grip on Miller’s neck, and placing his back against him threw him in fhe air, and shifted his hold to the waist. He was evidently trying to fall upon his opponent and press him to the floor. This he qould not do without risking too much, so he released his hold, and Miller, who evidently had not expected such tactics, fell heavily on his head. Before Miller could get up Bauer was upon him, but Miller’s powerful neck was useful then. Arching his body upward he made a pivot of his head, and neither Bauer’s or ecieuee availed him Jj.ero. The

men faced each other again. Three times did Bauer clasp his arms about Miller’s neck, and three times did Miller release himself with but little effort.

The hour having expired, time was called for a rest, and fifteen minutes later the men faced each other. There was no sparring. Both men struggled for the mastery, but Bauer got his man around the shoulders, and quicker than lightning threw him over on his side, and following up Ids advautage in a moment more had him on the door, both shoulders resting thereon, thus winning the round in an hour and four minutes. The sec >ud round brought the men to the front, looking fresh, and with wind unbroken. There was some sparring, not much though, and then hard work commerced. Three times Miller nearly threw his man, but the Frenchman was wary and just avoided being thrown in each instance by his extraordinary agility. Finally, Miller got his famous neck hold, from which no contestant with him has been ever known to release himself. The splendid muscles of his arm and chest could be seen working as slowly, but surely, he drew his man over towards him, and then pushed him backward to the floor. One shoulder touched the carpet, and it avas a lost round for Bauer. His powerful adverversary had him where neither quickness or agility could save him, and in a moment he was flat on his back, both shoulders touching the floor. It was twenty-three minutes after 10 o’clock when time was called for the third round. The men had gone to their dressing-rooms, where they were rubbed down and prepared for the decisive fall. Bauer seemed to be somewhat distressed, but Miller was still fresh, and but little affected by his efforts. The men went to work at once, and Miller trying to get his neck hold, slipped and fell to his hands, and made bridge which Bauer gave him, Miller sprau to his feet. The men closed in an instant, and a sharp struggle ensued. Bauer finally dropped Miller on his stomach, but could not turn him over, and when both were up again Bauer attempted the plan that nearly succeeded in the first round. Waiting his opportunity, he dropped on his knees before Miller, and catching him around the waist, threw him clean over his head on to his shoulder. It was an exciting moment. Amidst the wildest applause from the audience, Miller writhed himself out of the Frenchman’s grasp, and stood on his feet. Bauer rushed at him like a bull, and Miller, to meet the attack, dropped ou his hands. Bauer knelt beside him and studied a plan of attack. Two previous efforts to drag him over on his back had failed, and a new method was necessary. Putting his arms round the prostrate giant, Bauer lifted him bodily in the air, but Miller kicked so vigorously that he could not hold him, and both men fell together side by side. Quicker than lightning Miller grasped the Frenchman around the neck and body, and with his great strength turned him nearly over. Releasing his hold on Bauer’s shoulder, and grasping him firmly round the arms, Miller got the Frenchman’s head under his arm and pressed him over ou to his back, holding him firmly there, thus winning the round, the match, and the championship. Time of round, sixteen minutes. Bauer appeared to be much fagged and worn, hut Miller presented little evidence of the trying ordeal in which he had engaged.