Wrestling.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 438, 15 December 1898, Page 8

Wrestling.

HERCULES v. ATLAS. A rather sensational encounter between two rival “ strong men ” is reported to have taken place in the office of a Sydney sporting paper on Saturday, November 26. According to the account of an eye-witness, the “go in” was short, but exceedingly “ willing,” and there is no doubt that had it been pre-arranged and well-advertised it would have proved an immense draw just at J ' the present juncture. The impromptu bout was, of course, with the “raw ’uns,” and in street- . walking costume, which added considerably to the interest which was attached to it. It is said that the modern Hercules was in an upstairs office of the building alluded to when, the up-to-date Atlas entered. Some words were exchanged, it is asserted, which did not exactly correspond with the greetings to be found in any standard book on “ etiquette for gentlemen.” In fact, it appeared that some old-standing grievance existed, which made the meeting mutually distasteful. After various contemptuous remarks passed between them, it is stated, Atlas threatened to put his enormous strength to the practical use of throwing his acquaintance out of the door, and immediately proceeded to enforce the threat, pushing the door violently against the other man’s body. This Hercules resented, responding with a right-hander, which is variously 1 reported as having caught his opponent on the jaw, the eye, or the ear—the onlookers all agreeing, however, that it “caught him somewhere.” Atlas is then said to have made great endeavors to seize the presumptuous Hercules, in order that he might break him in half, but it was not so willed—the other knew too much to allow himself to be - — seized in such an embrace, and conducted his movements with surprising alacrity. The affair is said to have lasted a good long round, though to some, at least, of the delighted spectators it was all too short. At last some other minor lights in the pugilistic and wrestling world are said to . have interposed their bulk and their persuasiveness between the belligerents, who were parted without any serious damage having been sustained on either side. This was a source ot particular satisfaction to the friends of, at least, one of them, who had an important appointment later in the day which it was m the highest degree desirable that he should keep. , Cable news from Sydney states that in the Wrestling Championship contest between Harry Lunn, of New Zealand, and Lucifer, the American champion, Dunn scored the first three falls, Grseoo Roman, Cumberland, and Catch-as-catch-can. It will be remembered that Dunn has just returned from America, where he scored a succession of triumphs.