Fred Beell Unimpressive in 1903

Fred Beell developed a reputation in the early 20th Century as a powerful and dangerous wrestler. His reputation was not built by his 1903 campaign.  Beell suffered as many high-profile defeats as victories.

Beell started well in April 1903, when he defeated St. Paul AAU Wrestling Champion James McAuley.  McAuley won the first fall in 22 minutes.  Beell won the next two falls in thirteen and twelve minutes.  McAuley took the fourth fall in four minutes.  Entering the fifth and final fall, both men were fatiguing but Beell summoned all his strength.  Beell threw McAuley for a fall in fourteen minutes.

When the men met again for the Northwest Wrestling Championship, McAuley extracted revenge and won the belt.  Beell took the first fall but McAuley won the last two falls.

Beell won the first fall after twenty-four minutes with a half-nelson.  The first fall noticeably fatigued him.  McAuley defeated Beell with a half-nelson in 9 minutes, 30 seconds.

Beell fought defensively for the remainder of the match.  While he didn’t threaten McAuley with defeat, it took McAuley almost 45 minutes to pin Beell for the final fall with a half-nelson.

The biggest surprise of 1903 occurred in Marshfield, Wisconsin on October 30, 1903.  Lightly regarded Ed Adamson of St. Louis defeated Beell.  The bout was contested in three out of five falls fashion.

Unsurprisingly, Beell won the first fall in 27 minutes.  Adamson shocked everyone though by winning the next three falls.  Adamson won the falls in 51, 10 and 41 minutes.

Fred Beell began wrestling professionally in 1895.  Initially, he wrestled mainly in Wisconsin and the Midwest.  Beell served in the Army during the Spanish-American War before returning home.  He married in 1902.

After such an underwhelming 1903 campaign, Beell may have questioned his decision to return to wrestling.  His career defining championship wins in 1906 would erase these doubts.  In 1903, it was tough to take.

Why do you think Beell struggled to succeed in 1903? You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page, Twitter profile and Google+ page.

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