Wiley Downed Schlegel Two Straight Falls at Germania Hall
Democrat and Chronicle
Thursday, April 27, 1899

Full Text: Copyright © 1899 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Company Inc.
 

Max Wiley defeated Frank Schlegel in their wrestling bout at the Press C.C. show at Germania hall last evening in straight falls. Although Wiley's prowess is well known it was not expected that he would have such an apparently easy time in disposing of the sturdy Parkside man. Perhaps the fact that Schlegel sprained a finger Tuesday night had much to do with it. His finger was in bad shape, swollen to nearly twice its normal size. This greatly impaired the use of his hand and compelled him to keep on the defensive nearly all the time. He could hardly hope to win and went on to accommodate the crowd.

In the first bout Wiley secured several good holds but could not score a fall, the Parkside man doing fine work despite his injured finger. Finally, after twelve minutes and thirteen seconds of the hardest kind of wrestling, he secured a far Nelson and obtained a fall. Many of the spectators protested that it was not a fair fall, but Referee "Prof" Eldredge, of the R.A.C., is a fair referee and knows what constitutes a fall.

After an intermission of ten minutes the second bout was called. Schlegel opened up strong enough but soon weakened and Wiley again scored a far Nelson and the fall. Time, five minutes and forty-five seconds. Schlegal stated after the bout that he would be willing to meet Wiley again after his finger gets well. Another match may be expected in the near future. Last night the bout was catch-as-catch-can, pin falls, the strangle hold being barred.

F.C. Konowitz, also of the Parkside, gave a bag-punching exhibition preceding the bout. His work was of a high order, much of his style being similar to Geisler's. "Prof" Eldredge says that at some styles Konowitz is equal to the champion. Considering the strong counter-attraction, the attendance was very large.