Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1916 — AT TOMB OF A WRESTLER [ARTICLE]

AT TOMB OF A WRESTLER

Gloomy Epitaph That Marks an English Athlete’s Resting Place. _ Until the early part of the nineteenth century, says the Badminton Magazine, wrestling was the favorite sport in Devonshire, and many notable champions of the ring were produced by the county. As a result of the prominence of this sport another epitaph is added to the long list of those that are notable on account of their unconscious humor or naive directness. In the churchyard at Marytavy, near Tavistock, is a tombstone to the memory of John Hawkins Blacksmith (1721) and his two wives and five children, among whom we learn was One Thomas named, whose fate was such To lose his life by wrestling much. Which may a warning be to all How they into such pastimes fall! A gloomy and depressing epitaph indeed, worthy of the prowess of the departed Thomas, of whose career we should have liked a fuller epitome.