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WRESTLERS > JOE JOHNSON

Joe Johnson

1869

MARCH 1, 1869

COLLAR-AND-ELBOW
CHAMPIONSHIP
A match between Homer Lane and Joe Johnson for the sum of $1,000 and the American Collar-And-Elbow Championship is arranged to take place at 600 Broadway Street, New York, New York, on March 3, 1869. Tickets for reserved seats, for $1, could be purchased Harry Hill's, 26 East Houston Street, New York, New York.

MARCH 3, 1869

LIVE EVENT
COLLAR-AND-ELBOW
Location
New York, New York
Venue
600 Broadway Street
Time
~8:00 PM
Referee
James Center
Umpire(for Lane)
Joe Ryan
Umpire(for Johnson)
L. Martin
Stakeholder
Harry Hill
Collar-And-Elbow Match
Henry Grace and Lewis Cole wrestled to a draw.
Best 2 Out Of 3 Falls Collar-And-Elbow Championship Match
Homer Lane defeated Joe Johnson.

"You could cut the smoke with a knife," wheezed a choking spectator last evening, his sage observation being evidently directed to the thick vapor which floated in heavy rings over a perfect sea of closely jammed perspiring faces at the pugilistic haunt in the upper part of 600 Broadway Street, New York, New York.

The occasion was the third trial between Lane and Johnson, wrestlers, for $1,000 and the American Collar-And-Elbow Championship. Beyond doubt there never assembled in that ill ventilated arena such a motley crowd, and it is a reasonable supposition to put forward that few will be necessitated to take Turkish baths for weeks to come.

Johnson carried off the honors at two previous contests with Lane, the one at Amsterdam and the other at Hamburg. He was accordingly the favorite; but the friends of Lane, nevertheless, entertained sanguine hopes of his success.

Henry Grace vs Lewis Cole

According to the agreement the contestants were to wrestle the best two in three, back falls, collar and elbow holds. Prior to the engagement, however, the entertainment was enhanced by the pleasure of witnessing several amateurs trying their skill, and, truth to say, they did every justice to each others shins; if good substantial kicking may be regarded as a criterion.

The audience roared with delight, and the fun was relished to an astounding degree. Harry Hill, who was stakeholder in the champion match, introduced a Hibernian wrestler named Henry Grace and backed him for $50 against any man in the assembly. Whereupon a noted wrestler named Lewis Cole stepped upon the arena and accepted the challenge.

Cole was he taller and heavier of the two, while his opponent was stoutly built and full of action. Holds having been taken the men proceeded cautiously to their work, and a very fine exhibition ensued.

Fully 25 minutes ensued without any result, Cole throughout repeatedly trying the "lock leg" without effect. Grace was wary and nimble and foiled his opponent at every attempt. There being no prospect of a finish the contest was finally abandoned and declared drawn.

Homer Lane vs Joe Johnson

The event of the evening was then announced, and the interest hitherto manifested in the proceedings now verged into clamorous excitement, most of the remarks essayed by the audience being not quite guided by Parliamentary debate.

At 8:52 PM the contestants were introduced amid great cheering. The contestants grasped each other with a determined hold, and, with a few preliminary shakes, commenced operations in lively style. They were evidently tempting each other, and while both hopped about like harlequins their feet wriggled like those of accomplished ballet dancers. Both were nimble and wary, elastic and daring.

After much sprightly business Johnson got he toe lock on his opponent, bringing him to his knees, which of course was no fall, and the men having once more gripped each other a most scientific piece of feet shuffling ensued, the betting being in the favor of Johnson.

A most determined struggle ensued, when finally Lane with a lightning-like move, got the toe lock on Johnson and landed him on his back at 9:06 PM, amid enthusiastic cheers.

The second innings was by no means so well contested, for after a brief contest Lane was whirled around by a cross-toe movement and both fell flat. Again closing, Johnson got the under vine grip on his opponent and quickly changing it to the cross-toe threw him, amid redoubled cheering.

It was now fall and fall, and the excitement was at its height, though it was loudly proclaimed that the second inning was very "thin," a term which probably alluded to the manner in which Lane had been disposed of.

At 9:16 PM the deciding contest was commenced, and to say the least, it was an excellent display of first class wrestling. The rapidity of the movements, the twist, turns and changes were remarkably well performed and at intervals elicited thunders of applause.

It was a most determined tug; white pedal science was busy at work Lane forced it, while Johnson tried to whirl him to the ground by his cross toe, which, by the way, seemed quite a favorite with him. The under grape-vine he also unsuccessfully ventured, but was nevertheless cautious, and a the same time exceedingly nimble.

It was a most exciting affair, the eyes of the audience being completely riveted upon the feet of the wrestlers. By electric twist Johnson was thrown heavily on the ground and Lane was declared the victor, the audience rising up and cheering vociferously.

The conqueror was not rewarded like the wrestlers of ancient Greece with a crown of laurels, but his pocket was adorned with a thousand greenbacks, which, in this 19th century, was, doubtless, far more preferable.

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