The Wrestling King of Walla Walla
A professional wrestler defeats three local opponents in succession at Armory Hall, showcasing the rugged spectacle of early 1900s prize fighting.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Reeking with perspiration and grunting from their exertions, the principals in last night's wrestling match at Armory Hall tumbled about the padded mat. Lewis, a professional, defended his reputation by defeating three men from the Walla Walla Athletic club in a single session. His contract required him to defeat the men within 60 minutes, but he finished the job in 42. W.J. Williams was the first to fall, followed by A.R. Riggins, a lanky six-footer from Seattle. The final opponent, Professor Burns, was forced to quit due to a knee injury caused by a fall against the bare floor. About 300 spectators watched the event, which also included a friendly boxing preliminary between Tommy Mason and 'Kid' Parker.
“Lewis showed up in championship form and easily defended his reputation as a great wrestler by defeating three men.”
Wrestling in 1903 was a brutal, legitimate endurance test rather than the choreographed entertainment it is today. Armory Hall was once a central hub for civic gatherings and athletics in Walla Walla, standing as a reminder of a time when local pride was often settled in the ring.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.