Florida, United States of America: Pre-1900
#PWHS #Results #NorthAmerica #USA #Florida #FL #Wrestling #ProWrestling #CatchAsCatchCan #CACC #CatchWrestling #GraecoRoman #GrecoRoman
1880 (no results)
1881 (no results)
1882 (no results)
1883
FEBRUARY 1883
FEBRUARY 17, 1883 (SATURDAY)
The Fair Grounds, Jacksonville, Florida
1 - 'World' Graeco-Roman Championship
Duncan C. Ross def. Theo. Bauer, [Professor Thiebaud Bauer]
Two Falls to One - Forfeit - NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Was originally set to take place in Cincinatti, however, it was rearranged.
Bauer dislocated his shoulder in second fall and could not continue for the third.
William Muldoon is generally recognized as the Graeco-Roman champion during this time.
FEBRUARY 22, 1883 (THURSDAY)
Rink Theater, Jacksonville, Florida
1 - World Graeco-Roman Championship
Duncan C. Ross (c) def. Theebaud [Professor Thiebaud Bauer]
Note:
This was a rematch.
1884 (no results)
1885 (no results)
1886 (no results)
1887 (no results)
1888
FEBRUARY 1888
FEBRUARY 3, 1888 (FRIDAY)
Benefit for the Sufferers of Yellow Fever in Jacksonville
Opera House, Pensacola, Florida
1 - Greek George Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
Notes:
The show is said to have "netted a very handsome sum."
[according to an 1890 newspaper]
1890
DECEMBER 1890
DECEMBER 29, 1890 (MONDAY)
International Wrestling Match
Opera House, Pensacola, Florida
1 - Exhibition
Greek George Vs. John Graham
2 - "Greek George's Unknown" (of New York) Vs. Joseph P. Barry
Notes:
Barry is listed as the Southern Champion.
Graham as an English Champion.
The show is cancelled due to George being prevented from getting to Pensacola.
There was a snow blockade between New York and Washington.
The original adverts said Wednesday, December 29.
DECEMBER 31, 1890 (WEDNESDAY)
International Wrestling Match
Opera House, Pensacola, Florida
Attendance: "Small Crowd"
1 - Exhibition
Greek George Vs. John Graham
2 - Joseph P. Barry def. "Greek George's Unknown" (of New York)
Notes:
It's said those in attedance calleed the "whole affair a fake."
More matches are said to have been arranged between members of the combination.
"It strikes an observant spectator that these men would do much better business if they were honestly to bill an exhibition, in which their science might be displayed, instead of trying to deceive the public by fake matches."
[the match result is according to a paper in February 1891]
1891
JANUARY 1891
JANUARY 20, 1891 (TUESDAY)
The Harbor, Pensacola, Florida
The Jake Kilrain-William Muldoon combination were taken on a spin around here this afternoon
The Gymnasium, Pensacola, Florida
The Jake Kilrain-William Muldoon combination taken here following the trip to the harbor
Notes:
It's said besides the boys, a number of ladies were attracted here on word that the combination would be appearing.
Kilrain gave pointers to a kid who was using a lively bag.
Kilrain was said to blush when he met the ladies.
Muldoon is said to have attracted the admiration of everybody who were impressed with his splendid physique.
Barber Shop, Pensacola, Florida
Jake Kilrain stopped off to be shaved
Notes:
The sidewalk was instantly "became impassable because of the crowd which congregated to witness the tonsonial operation."
The Muldoon-Kilrain Combination of Athletes in an Exhibition of Sparring and Wrestling - The Greatest Attraction of the King Ever in Pensacola
Promoters: Jake Wells, Dan Bergin & Others
Opera House, Pensacola, Florida
Attendance: "Small Sized"
Tickets: $0.50, $0.75 & $1.00
1 - Boxing - Friendly Match
Jake Kilrain def. Lem McGregor "The St. Joe Kid"
(4 Rounds)
2 - Graeco-Roman
Wm. [William] Muldoon def. Ernest Roeber
(00:45:00)
3 - Boxing - Lightweights
"Colored Pugilist" Vs. "Colored Pugilist",
Result Unknown (1 Round)
4 - Boxing - Middleweights
Mannie Butler "Colored Pugilist" def. John Lewis "Colored Pugilist",
Forfeit (2 Rounds)
Notes:
Muldoon is listed as the World Graeco-Roman Champion.
Kilrain is listed as one of the greatest puglists.
The show started at 8PM.
After his match Muldoon addressed the Greek George situation.
Muldoon said he'd deposit a forfeit with Jake Wells, with the belief he could throw George in three minutes.
Muldoon said he'd bet $1,000 that "he could not only throw George, but he would stop him and run him off stage in a half hour."
Lewis quit after the second round.
After the performance the combination left for New Orleans, from where they will proceed to San Francisco for the Kilrain versus George Godfrey fight.
Kilrain is being trained by Muldoon for the fight.
FEBRUARY 1891
FEBRUARY 12, 1891 (THURSDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
Billy Levine and Bobby Reakes arrived here from New Orleans
Notes:
Reakes is a lightweight wrestler.
It's thought Reakes will face [Joseph] Barry of this city.
Levine is known as a boxer.
If no local match can be made, it's thought Levine & Reakes will bring a couple of men from New Orleans down and set up a show.
FEBRUARY 14, 1891 (SATURDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"Wrestling.
Alex Laurence, better known as 'Young Billy,' writes THE NEWS from New Orleans, to say that he will wrestle Jos. P. Barry, of this city, Graeco-Roman style, three falls in five, at 135 pounds, give or take three pounds on the day of the match, for $100 a side and the lightweight championship of America, the match to take place within three weeks after signing articles. If Barry accepts he will immediately forward a forfeit of $25."
FEBRUARY 22, 1891 (SUNDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"A CARD.
Pensacola, Fla., Feb. 21, 1891.
EDITOR DAILY NEWS:
DEAR SIR: - I wish to states that I will not cover the forfeit or sign articles for the Graeco-Roman wrestling match with young Bibby, of New York, unless the people of Pensacola are willing to give us good support. I cannot afford to leave my work and go into training for the match, and also put up my money and get left. The expenses of the match will be more than $100, and unless the house amounts to $200, there is no money in it for the winner who takes all the gate receipts.
Now, I will not quit my work and go into training unless I can make some money if I should be the winner. If I lose I do not wish a cent, but I am not wiling to pay for advertising, rent of opera house, &c., until I know that the people here are willing to give us their support. If this is not done the match will be put off, and I will wrestle Bibby in New Orleans about March 20, 1891, for the Columbia Athletic Club purse.
I am not afraid of Mr. Bibby, but I must see where the winner wil come out for his trouble. This is my only reason for not covering Mr. Bibby's forfeit, and signing articles for the match.
Yours truly,
Joseph P. Barry,
Champion Light Weight Graeco-Roman Wrestler of the South.
P.S. - If the people of Pensacola do not wish to see a fake, they must pay to see a square match on its merits.
Young Bibby defeated me in Vicksburg, Miss., in June, 1888, when it took one hour and forty-five minutes for the last fall.
I also defeated Bibby February 2, 1890, at the rooms of the Columbia Athletic Club in New Orleans, for a purse of $150, with $100 to the winner. In this match there were two falls in one hour and fifteen minutes.
The record can be seen in the New Orleans Times-Democrat of February 3, 1890.
J.P.B."
JULY 1891
JULY 26, 1891 (SUNDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"Boxing and Wrestling.
The theatre management is in correspondence with Prof. J.M. Duffy, of New Orleans, with a view to the engagement of the latter's combination of sparrers and wrestlrs for a two-night entertainment in this city on August 7th and 8th. It is probable that success will attend the effort." - The News
JULY 1891
JULY 26, 1891 (SUNDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"Boxing and Wrestling.
The theatre management is in correspondence with Prof. J.M. Duffy, of New Orleans, with a view to the engagement of the latter's combination of sparrers and wrestlrs for a two-night entertainment in this city on August 7th and 8th. It is probable that success will attend the effort." - The News
AUGUST 1891
AUGUST 2 1891 (SUNDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"AMUSEMENTS.
CHANGE IN THE ARRANGEMENT.
The management of boxers and wrestlers have been encouraged to change the place of entertainment from the armory to the opera house, the chances being that sufficient seating room might not be had at the armory." - The News
AUGUST 11, 1891 (TUESDAY)
The Duffy-Norton Athletic Combination
Opera House, Pensacola, Florida
Attendance: "Poor"
Tickets: $0.50
1 - Boxing - Three Rounds - For Points
Andy Bowen "The Louisiana Tornado" Vs. Siddons,
Result Unknown
2 - Boxing - Lightweights - Three Rounds - For Points
John Duffy Vs. James Glass,
Result Unknown
3 - Boxing - Heavyweights - Four Rounds - For Points
"The Creole Giant" Felix Vanquelin Vs. Jimmy Lee "New Orleans' Favorite Heavyweight",
Result Unknown
4 - Club Swinging, Juggling & Illuminated Lantern Manipulating
Featuring John Peevy
5 - Catch-as-Catch-Can - Two out of Three Falls
George Queen Vs. Wm. Norton,
Result Unknown
6 - Boxing - Featherweights - Four Rounds - For Points
George Siddons Vs. Owen Harney,
Result Unknown
7 - Boxing - Four Rounds - For Points
Louis Knuckles Vs. Wm. Cassidy,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Glass is listed as the Louisiana Lightweight Champion.
Dussy as the retired Southern Lightweight Champion.
Vanquelin as the Southern Heavyweight Champion.
Queen & Norton are isted as the two champions.
Harney as the Souther Featherweight Champion.
Geo. Siddons as the Northwest Featherweight Champion.
Knuckles and Cassidy as two of New Orleans' favorite boxers.
NOVEMBER 1891
NOVEMBER 8, 1891 (SUNDAY)
Benefir to Henry G. Klink
Kupfrian's Park, Pensacola, Florida
1 - 130lbs
Joseph P. Barry Vs. All Comers
2 - Baseball
Graham Gordons (of Pensacola) Vs. "A Picked Nine",
Result Unknown
3 - Pedestrian Record Attempt
Featuring Henry G. Klink
Notes:
Klink is a champion boy walker.
He recently sent a record in New Orleans in front of 10,000 people.
He walked one-eighth of a mile in 31 seconds.
Boss' quartette club of Mobile will give a concert.
The show starts at 3:30PM.
NOVEMBER 1891
NOVEMBER 8, 1891 (SUNDAY)
Benefir to Henry G. Klink
Kupfrian's Park, Pensacola, Florida
1 - 130lbs
Joseph P. Barry Vs. All Comers
2 - Baseball
Graham Gordons (of Pensacola) Vs. "A Picked Nine",
Result Unknown
3 - Pedestrian Record Attempt
Featuring Henry G. Klink
Notes:
Klink is a champion boy walker.
He recently sent a record in New Orleans in front of 10,000 people.
He walked one-eighth of a mile in 31 seconds.
Boss' quartette club of Mobile will give a concert.
The show starts at 3:30PM.
1892
FEBRUARY 1892
FEBRUARY 11, 1892 (THURSDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"A Wrestling Match
(N.O. Picayune, 10th.)
The Picayune has received from Joseph P. Barry, Graeco-Roman wrestler, of Pensacola, Fla., articles of agreement for a match between himself and Young Bibby, best three in five falls, for $50 a side, Police Gazette ring rules, at 135 pounds, give or take two pounds, to take place at Pensacola, Fla. The articles are signed by Barry with three attesting witnesses. Mr. Brry also states that he has sent $50 forfeit to a friend here for Bibby to cover, and suggests that Mr. Bibby cover the money and call at the Picayune office and sign the articles. The match is to come off in two weeks after signing articles." - The News
FEBRUARY 18, 1892 (THURSDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"Wrestling Match at Pensacola.
The New Orleans Picayune of the 16th inst., contains the following in reference to a wrestling match soon to take place in this city:
Young Bibby has signed articles for a wrestling match sent here by Barry some time ago, and has put up his forfeit of $50, in accordance therewith. The match will be Graeco-Roman rules, and will take place in Pensacola, Fla., in two weeks.
It was learned yesterday afternoon from Barry that he would go into active training at once for the match which will take place in this city during Mardi Gras week." - The News
FEBRUARY 26, 1892 (FRIDAY)
Athletic Club, Pensacola, Florida
Joseph P. Barry is training daily here and he currently weighs 138 pounds
MARCH 1892
MARCH 7, 1892 (MONDAY)
Opera House, Pensacola, Florida
Attendance: "Rather Slim"
Tickets: $0.25, $0.35, $0.50 & $0.75
Purse: $100 (match 5)
1 - Boxing
???? Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
2 - Boxing
???? Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
3 - Boxing
???? Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
4 - Boxing
Henry Klink Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
5 - American Lightweight (135lbs) Championship - Graeco-Roman
Joseph P. Barry (of Pensacola) def. Young Bibby (of New York)
1893
JANUARY 1893
JANUARY 20, 1893 (FRIDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"Henry G. Klink, Jr., in behalf of Jos. P. Barry, of this city, has issued a challenge through the New Orleaos papers to any man in the world to meet Barry in a Graeco-Roman wrestling match at 133 pounds weights, for a purse of $500 or $1,000, the match to take place in three weeks after the articles are signed." - The News
MARCH 1893
MARCH 19, 1893 (SUNDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"The Barry-Butler Match.
Pensacola, Fla., March 19, 1893.
EDITOR DAILY NEWS.
Jos. P. Barry will leave here for Chicago Wednesday, March 22, for his match with Prof. Adon Butler, wrestling instructor of the Chicago Athenaeun. Prof. Butler stands 5 feet, 5 inches, ius 39 years and weigh 135 pounds. He holds the light weight championship of the world at his style of wrestling, (collar and elbow). Has a record of 140 matches, having lost but two. Jos. P. Barry is the light weight champion Graeco-Roman wrestler of the South and also has a first class record. The match will take place on March 28th, for the light weight championship of America and $100, the winner to take 65 per cent of the door receipts.
Barry is in first class condition, weighing now 140 pounds and is training daily at the Pensacola Athletic Club. He says that he will do his best to win and return home with the prize." - The News
APRIL 1893
APRIL 1, 1893 (SATURDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
Barry writes to The News to tell them of his match with Adon Butler
Notes:
Barry says he will return here and will not make another wrestling match.
APRIL 14, 1893 (FRIDAY)
Pensacola Florida
"The Wrestling Match.
Joseph P. Barry arrived home last night from Chicago, via New Orleans, and left the following at THE NEWS office for publication:
Pensacola, April 13, 1893.
EDITOR THE NEWS.
I learn that Mr. Jack Powers is willing to accept my challenge to wrestle. I will now meet Mr. Powers and arrange a match at 140 pounds, best 3 in 5 fals, Graeco-Roman style, the strangle hold barred. Police Gazette rules to govern the contest. This will be my last match win or lose.
Joseph P. Barry."
APRIL 16, 1893 (SUNDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"Will Not Wrestle.
Pensacola, April 15, 1893.
J.P. Barry.
SIR: - Having noticed your challenge in THE DAILY NEWS to wrestle me, I beg to inform the public, as well as yourself, that I am not in the professional wrestling business. I practice athletics as a healthful pastimme, not as a professional, and therefore decline to accept your challenge.
JNO. F. POWERS, JR." - The News
1894
JANUARY 1894
JANUARY 25, 1894 (THURSDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
It's reported Joseph P. Barry believes he will retire from wrestling and confine himself to a trade
FEBRUARY 1894
FEBRUARY 16, 1894 (FRIDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"A note to THE NEWS from Joseph P. BArry, the wrestler, states that he is going to Mexico to embark in the hotel business in about two weeks. He is at present in Mobile and will probably retire permanently from the wrestling arena."
DECEMBER 1894
DECEMBER 3, 1894 (MONDAY)
The Walter L. Main Shows! Grandest And Best On Earth: America's Largest, Best and Leading Exhibitions
Pensacola, Florida
Tickets: $0.25 & $0.50
Notes:
Featuring: 3 great circus companies; 3 big rings; 3 complete circuses; Giant male gorilla; Only living American-born monkeys; Gaza, the electrical wonder; High educated elephants; Only living rooster orchestra; Den of baby lions, born July 4, at Glen Falls, N.Y.; The horseback riding lion; 20 funny clowns; Reproduction of Paris hippodrome; Coliseum sports; Olympian games; Sword combats; Boxing bouts; Wrestling bouts; 21 horses ridden and driven by one man; Roman chariot races; 2 and 4-horse tandem; Standing and hurdle races; Elephant and camel races; Pony and monkey races; 5 continent menagerie; The most complete zoological gathering ever attempted.
It's said there is a 12,000 seating capacity.
1895
FEBRUARY 1895
FEBRUARY 5, 1895 (TUESDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"The Athletic Club.
At a meeting of the house committee of the Pensacola Athletic club, held last night, it was decided to hold a series of indoor sports, such as wrestling, boxing, etc., during the month of April and a series of field sports in May.
Great interest is now being manifested by the young men of the city in athletics and the membership of the club has been largely increased of late." - The News
FEBRUARY 1895
FEBRUARY 5, 1895 (TUESDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
"The Athletic Club.
At a meeting of the house committee of the Pensacola Athletic club, held last night, it was decided to hold a series of indoor sports, such as wrestling, boxing, etc., during the month of April and a series of field sports in May.
Great interest is now being manifested by the young men of the city in athletics and the membership of the club has been largely increased of late." - The News
MARCH 1895
MARCH 16, 1895 (SATURDAY)
Pensacola, Florida
It's reported James Glass is in training for his match with Ed. Hewey
MARCH 19, 1895 (TUESDAY)
The Armory, Pensacola, Florida
Purse: $100
1 - Catch-as-Catch-Can - Two out of Three Falls
James Glass (of Mobile) Vs. Ed. Hewey "The Soldier" (of Fort Barrancas),
Result Unknown
Notes:
Glass claims to be a Middleweight Champion.
MARCH 24, 1895 (SUNDAY)
Palmetto Beach, Florida
Purse: $100
1 - Catch-as-Catch-Can - Two out of Three Falls
James Glass Vs. Ed. Hewey "The Soldier",
Result Unknown
MAY 1895
MAY 2, 1895 (THURSDAY)
Grand Athletic Tournament
Pensacola Athletic Club, Pensacola, Florida
Tickets: $0.25 & $0.50
Notes:
Featuring boxing, wrestling, bag punching, club swinging, horizontal and parallel bar performing, leaping, tumbling and other interesting features.
The show is to start at 8PM.
MAY 28, 1895 (TUESDAY)
Athletic Tournament
Manager: W.D.C. Kessler (Vice President of the PAC)
Pensacola Athletic Club, Pensacola, Florida
Attendance: "Good Attendance At The Gymnasium, Including Many Ladies"
Timekeeper: E.E. Reese
Referee: E.E. Reese
1 - Catch As Can - Two Two Minute Rounds
W.A. Blount Jr. Vs. Benito Moreno,
Draw (00:04:00)
2 - Graeco-Roman - Three Three Minute Rounds
Prof. Mike Carney Vs. J.K. Hyer,
Draw (00:09:00)
3 - Triple Horizontal Bars
Featuring the Burgoyne Brothers
4 - Bag Punching
Featuring A. McD. Moyer
5 - Slack Wire Walking
Featuring C.R. Burgoyne
6 - High Kicking
Featuring James C. Watson, A. McD Moyer, M.V. & H.L. Hantz
7 - Leaping & Tumbling
Featuring the Burgoyne Brothers, Hantz brothers, James C. Watson & Morgan Landrum
Notes:
Said to be the first of a series of indoor sports.
Due to a recently passed law, the sparring matches were postponed to a later date.
The law stated admission could not be charged to an exhibition of boxing.
JUNE 1895
JUNE 13, 1895 (THURSDAY)
Pensacola Athletic Club Rooms, Pensacola, Florida
1 - Boxing - Four Two Minute Rounds For Points
J.K. Hyer Vs. Benito Moreno,
Draw (00:08:00)
2 - Boxing - Four Two Minute Rounds For Points
W.A. Blount Jr. Vs. P. Supervielle,
Draw (00:08:00)
3 - Boxing - Four Two Minute Rounds For Points
Prof. Carney def. E. Loveless
4 - Graeco-Roman - Two Rounds
W.A. Blount Jr. Vs. Benito Moreno,
Draw
5 - Graeco-Roman - Two Rounds
Prof. Carney Vs. Jos P. Barry,
Draw
Notes:
Following the matches awards were given to the winners of the field events from June 6, 1895.
Platzierung / Placement for June 6:
100 Yard Run
1. J.E. Baars (11 seconds).
Throwing 12-Pound Hammer
1. C.P. Orr (68 feet, 2 inches).
Quarter Mile Run
1. W.A. Blount Jr. (63-and-one-fifth seconds).
Standing Broad Jump
1. C.R. Burgoyne (15 feet, 3-and-three-quarter inches).
Half Mile Run
1. W.A. Blount Jr. (2 minutes and 33 seconds).
Putting the 16lb Shot
1. T.E. Welles (28 feet, 10 inches).
One Mile Run
1. W.A. Blount Jr. (5 minutes and 38-and-a-half seconds).
1896
APRIL 1896
APRIL 23, 1896 (THURSDAY)
Athletic Exhibition
Pensacola Gymnasium, Pensacola, Florida
Attendance: "Fair"
1 - Parrallel Bars
Featuring Fritz Moreno
2 - Clubs
Featuring E.L. Reese
3 - Graeco-Roman - Three Ten Minute Rounds
Knowles Hyer Vs. Benito Moreno,
Draw - One Fall Each (F1 BM 00:06:15 - F2 KH 00:05:16 - F3 00:10:00 - C 00:21:31)
4 - Tumbling
Featuring the Hantz Brothers
5 - Bag Punching
Featuring Don Moyer
6 - High Kicking
Featuring the Hantz Brothers & Reese
Notes:
Jack Williams is the new trainer and boxing instructor here.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Florida, United States of America: Pre-1900.
Updated: May 30, 2020.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Florida, United States of America: Pre-1900.
Updated: May 30, 2020.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
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