People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1895 — The Local Ring. [ARTICLE]

The Local Ring.

It is not often that Rensselaer is treated with a genuine sporting event, gotten up according to professional rules, but such was the case last week. Agreeable to a challenge the principals met in the rear of Wm. Egar’s hardware who should wear the belt for the ensuing year as champion wrestler of Jasper county. The principals in the match were none other than Sylvester Muldoon O’Mera and Wm. Sullivan Haley, two brawny sons of Erin. They were seconded by Sylvester Healy and Wm. Eger with referee Eiglesbach holding a wiener wurst belt ready to crown the winner. O’Mera appeared in his natty suit of green tights followed in short order by Haley in red attire. They looked in the very pink of condition in their new colors. Proceeding, to the center of ring they shook hands and went at it catch-as-catch can. O’Meara went at it with the vim of a lion. Haley had blood in his eye and tobacco in his mouth, and proved invincible. In a moment there was a rush, both men going for the lower limbs. The contest was spirited but Haley was too much and O’Meara was soon facing the clouded sky and said, “Haley the round is yours, get up.” When time was called

| again it was plain to be seen that O’Meara meant business, and with ths strength of a Sandow he sprung on his enemy. Soon there was a mixed mess rolling around the ring which looked like a wagon wheel. When the relliug stopped, behold, O’Meara was on top. Now for the decisive bout. O’Mera made his appearance feeling fresh as a daisy. Haley showed up shortly after looking a little the worse for the game but confidence was written in every wrinkle of his face. “Finish him O’Mera,” “Don’t give up Haley,” and similar expressions were heard from all sides. “Time,” says Referee Eiglebach, and at it they went. Both men fought nobly ; the professionals showed their good training. They scuffled and skated around the ring when O’Mera got in his famous grape vine twist which no man has yet been able to succumb to, when down went Haley and the contest ended. Referee Eiglesbach, in a few well chosen words presented the beautiful wiener-wurst belt studded with diamonds, and the audience dispersed, feeling that they had received the worth of

their coin.

G. ISLE.