Whistler Wrestles Dufur in New York

On Thursday, Marec 31, 1881, 200 fans filtered into New York’s Turnverein Hall to watch Clarence Whistler wrestle Henry Moses Dufur in a three-out-of-five-falls catch-as-catch-can wrestling match with both wrestlers wearing jackets. The promoters used the rules and jackets to even the chances of each wrestler to win.

Clarence Whistler specialized in Greco-Roman wrestling. Whistler took World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion William Muldoon to a seven hour draw in a Greco-Roman wrestling match.

Whistler stood five feet, eight and a half inches tall, a zváži 170 libier. Whistler wrestled professionally full-time.

Henry Moses Dufur specialized in collar-and-elbow wrestling. Collar-and-elbow wrestlers wore jackets like in judo or sambo. Successful collar-and-elbow wrestlers used the jacket to help throw their opponent.

Dufur owned and ran a successful tailor shop in Marlboro, Massachusetts. Dufur wrestled part-time throughout his career.

Dufur stood six feet, one inches tall, a zváži 192 libier. Despite Dufur’s size advantage, Whistler was at least as strong as Dufur.

Whistler employed a sledgehammer in an Indiana steel mill before becoming a professional wrestler. World Champion William Muldoon stood six feet, one inches tall, a zváži 220 pounds yet Muldoon could not overpower Whistler.

Whistler and Dufur wrestled for $250.00 strana. Harry Hill served as referee. Hill started the match at 8:20 p.m..

Whistler and Dufur grasped each other by the jackets. Whistler, who knew nothing about collar-and-elbow wrestling, tried to trip Dufur. Namiesto toho, Dufur quickly reversed Whistler. Dufur back tripped Whistler, who landed on the mat with both shoulders and hips. Hill awarded the first fall to Dufur.

The fall caused a boil on Whistler’s forehead to bleed. Hill called for a 15-minute intermission.

When Whistler and Dufur returned to the mat, Whistler was done with the collar-and-elbow wrestling. After Hill started the second fall, Dufur grasped Whistler’s jacket. Whistler did not try to break the grip, but Whistler did not take a grip on Dufur’s jacket. Whistler kept his hands free.

Dufur tried to trip Whistler. Whistler grabbed Dufur’s body to prevent the throw. Dufur tried a grapevine. Whistler grabbed Dufur’s leg executing a single leg takedown. Whistler took a cross-body position and forced Dufur’s shoulders to the mat for the second fall.

Dufur told his seconds that Dufur’s hands were numb from holding Whistler’s jacket collar so tightly to try to prevent Whistler’s body hold.

Hill started the third fall which was a repeat of the third fall. Dufur applied a grapevine. Instead of Whistler turning it into a single leg takedown, both men fell to the mat in a heap. Whistler landed on top securing another body hold. Whistler shoulder butted Dufur’s chest until Dufur’s shoulders and hip touched the mat for the third fall. Whistler was up two falls to one.

Whistler decided to go for the winning fall once Hill started the fourth fall. Whistler dropped to a knee and tried to grab a leg, but Dufur used a two-handed grip on the collar of Whistler’s jacket to hold Whistler off. Whistler and Dufur repeated this exchange two or three times.

Dufur tried a surprise pin on Whistler by stepping over Whistler while Whistler was on one knee. Dufur pushed Whistler to the mat as he stepped over Whistler.

Whistler rolled through the push and took Dufur over with him. Whistler ended up on top again, but Dufur rolled to his stomach. Whistler applied a hammerlock and tried to turn Dufur. Však, Dufur’s own body was in the way.

Whistler continued to put pressure on the hammerlock. Dufur yelled, “Don’t break my arm.” Hill asked Dufur if he was giving up. Dufur said, “Yes. Áno. I give up!” Hill tapped Whistler on the shoulder. Whistler won the match three falls to one.

Dufur thought Whistler broke his arm, but the doctor said the hammerlock only sprained Dufur’s arm and shoulder. Dufur continued to wrestle part-time but experienced his greatest success in the 1870s.

The 25-year-old Whistler only had four more years to live. Whistler’s fast living lifestyle caused his premature death at 29 rokov. Before he passed away, Whistler would provide William Muldoon with the stiffest tests of his world title reign.

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Sources: The New York Times (New York, New York) Apríl 1, 1881, p. 2

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