Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1917 — MOROCCO BLUE AS HALL IS FLOPPED [ARTICLE]

MOROCCO BLUE AS HALL IS FLOPPED

Champion Billiter Has But Little Trouble In Disposing of Morocco (Trappier in Straight Falla. Freddie Hall’s championship aspirations were given a rude jolt Thursday evening by Champion Johnny Billiter, of Toledo, Ohio. All of Freddie’s friends in Morocco and this section ot the country were present to see him take the crown from the Ohioan, but were badly disappointed. Some four or five hundred fans were present at the. match, all that the hall where the match was held would hold. Seats ranged I'iom 75c to $1.50, hence the grapplers got a tidy little sum for their work of fifty minutes. The wrestlers weighed in at the ringside and both were found to be within the weight limit of 136 pounds at eight o’clock. Ed Smith, of the Chicago American, called the men to the center of the ring for instructions at 9:05.,

Billiter showed his superiority oyer his challenger throughout the entire match and at no time ,was he in danger of losing. His cleverness and ability proved a revelation to the fans who witnessed him in his match against their local pride last summer. Hall won the match at that time, but owing to the fact that the wrestlers did not weigh in no decision was allowed. The first.fall went to BHliter after forty-five minutes work. Practically all pf the forty-five minutes found Hall on the defensive. Billiter finally won the fall with a toe hold, the doughty Moroccoan being forced/to give up. Hall had evidently spent himself during the first bout, for ne was overcome easily in the second fall. Billiter clamped on another toe hold shortly after the second bout started. Fiveminutes found t]je match at an end. Despite his defeat at the hands of Billiter, Freddie still has a large following among the Tans and his gameness and cleverness are to be admired. He has appeared in Rensselaer a few times and has won the admiration of the fans. Morocco is assured of good wrestling as long as he is in their midst. Hall is strictl” on the square, something that is a rare quality among wrestlers. Probabl’' several more bouts will be arranged for him before the winter is over..