A Brutal Display.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 19, 26 July 1887, Page 4

A Brutal Display.

WRESTLING FOB THE CHAMPIONSHIP. DUNN NEARLY STRANGLED. EXCITING SCENE—CANNON HOOTED. A WBESUSG match between Cannon and Dunn, in the Graco-Boman, catch-as-catch-can, Cumberland, side hold, collars and elbow styles, for £2OO, the Police Gazette diamond belt and the five styles championship of the world, resulted, so far as one of the competitors was concerned, in a display of brutality such as has never before been seen in Melbourne. Dunn won the first fall in the Cumberland style, the next bout was in the Grrnco-Roman. With a great rush Cannon tried to get behind Dunn, aqd the latter came to the carpet on his hands and knees with Cannon above him. In thia position the latter might easily have scored a fall, but it soon became apparent the single purpose of winning this bout was not his object. He lifted Dunn in his arms as high as he could, and dashed him down with fearful violence amid exclamations of astonishment from the onlookers. Before Dunn could recover Cannon passed his right arm under his opponent’s neck as he lay face downwards, and catching his right elbow with his left hand from the other side so as to increase the pressure, started in the most cold-blooded fashion to strangle Dunn. The latter’s face was distorted and purple, and blood issued from his mouth, while horrible guttural sounds as he tried to call out or draw breath, showed that he was being badly injured. The spectators on the stage jumped from their seats in wild excitement, and appealed to Cannon not to kill Dunn. The referee, who was inexperienced, was advised by the other wrestlers present to give the fall to Cannon, who never for a moment wavered in his attempt to strangle his adversary. Dunn was then lifted to a chair, when a doctor found that portions of the larynx had been flattened and lacerated. The man’s throat swelled rapidly and in a few minutes Dunn was scarcely able to speak. All hope of his being able to continue the match was abandoned. Cannon, who claimed and won the match, was received by the audience with a storm of groans and hooting, and cries of “ You deserve to be pole-axed.” Intense excitement prevailed. The police intend to interfere in future when brutality is shown!