McLeod Wrestles Wittmer

On Tuesday, March 28, 1899, current American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Dan S. McLeod wrestled Charles Wittmer in a two-out-of-three-falls mixed styles match. Since the champion only defended the title in catch-as-catch-can matches, McLeod wrestled Wittmer in a non-title match. Wittmer, a Greco-Roman wrestling specialist, demanded he and McLeod wrestle at least one fall under Greco-Roman rules.

The St. Paul Athletic Club sponsored the match, which took place at St. Paul’s Market Hall. 1,200 spectators filled the hall to see McLeod wrestle Wittmer for a $500.00 purse.

Wittmer weighed two hundred thirteen pounds, almost forty pounds more than McLeod. Wittmer’s size advantage did not help him much in the match.

Captain Frank Whitmore served as referee. Whitmore started the match at 9:21 p.m. The men wrestled the first fall according to catch wrestling rules.

After one minute of straining in a collar and elbow grip, McLeod took Wittmer to the mat. McLeod spent the first few minutes trying to turn Wittmer with a side roll. After five minutes without turning Wittmer, McLeod switched to pursuing a hammerlock. Wittmer slipped this attempt.

After fifteen minutes, Wittmer stood back to his feet. McLeod tripped Wittmer back to the mat. McLeod almost pinned Wittmer with an arm roll and leg lock. Wittmer powered out of the pin attempt, but McLeod continued pressing the offense.

After three more failed hammerlock attempts, McLeod secured a half-Nelson and crotch hold combination. Wittmer spun out of the hold, but McLeod secured a second half-Nelson and crotch hold combination.

McLeod wore on Wittmer for several minutes before Wittmer escaped the hold. McLeod secured a third half-Nelson and crotch hold combination. McLeod slammed Wittmer to the mat. Wittmer tried to escape but McLeod pinned Wittmer in thirty minutes, thirty seconds.

Even though McLeod did not secure a hammerlock, the four attempts to Wittmer’s left arm combined with the half-Nelsons to the same limb left Wittmer favoring his left arm. After a ten-minute rest, the men wrestled the second fall according to Greco-Roman rules.

While the fans enjoyed less action in the second fall, McLeod continued as the aggressor. McLeod used two body holds to take Wittmer to the mat twice. Wittmer scrambled back to his feet each time.

McLeod pursued another hammerlock, but Wittmer defended every attempt. Wittmer prepared himself well to defend against McLeod’s pet hold.

Defense alone could not win the match for Wittmer. Eventually, McLeod secured a front bear hug under Wittmer’s arms. McLeod lifted Wittmer off the ground slamming Wittmer to the mat on his back. McLeod pinned Wittmer for the second fall and match at twenty-nine minutes.

The reporter covering the match for the Star Tribune said Wittmer’s damaged left arm hurt his offensive ability in his specialty, Greco Roman wrestling. He felt a healthy Wittmer could have given McLeod trouble in the second fall possibly even winning the fall.

McLeod continued his dominating ways with this win. Halfway through a four-year title reign, McLeod looked unbeatable. Unfortunately for him, he would eventually meet his match but it would take another two years.

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Sources: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), March 29, 1899, p. 2

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