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FRANK GOTCHRetired Pliampion Heavyweight Wrestler of the World Dies at His Home III Humboldt of . Premie Poisoning.WON AMERICAN TITLE IN IflOlLeaves Fortune Estimated From $200,• IMMI to *400,000 All Made Wrestling.Humboldt,. Dec. 17.—Funeral services over the body of Frank Gotch, undefeated world’s wrestling champion, who died here Sunday, will bo held Wednesday afternoon. Burial will be made in the local cemetery.Today Humboldt and the surrounding district is in mourning over the loss of the man who has made the little town known over the United States and Europe. The flag flying over the big consolidated school is at half-mast. On Wednesday all business will be suspended in memory of Gotch.Humboldt, la., Dec. 17.—Frank A. Gotch, retired champion heavyweight wrestler of the world, died at his home here Sunday at noon.Death was caused after a lingering illness of several weeks of uremic poisoning, and was not unexpected, as relatives and intimate friends of the great athlete had known for more than a month that Gotch could not live and that he might be taken at any time.Gotch was 41 years old. The record books, detailing the events of his life give his ago as 39 years but these are inaccurate. He was born on April 27, 1876, on a farm three miles south of Humboldt.He is survived by his widow, a 4-year-old son, Robert Gotch; a brother, Fred Gotch; a sister, Mrs. Charlie Kurth of Humboldt, and his mother, Mrs. Amelia Gotch, also a resident of this town.His wife and son were at his bedside when death came. It is said that the famous athlete was conscious almost up to the time of his death, despite the rumors that have been in circulation during the past two months that he was irrational a pari of the time.Fights Hard for Ills Health.The first intimation that his health was not as good as it should be came to him In the summer of 1916 when ho was making a tour of the country with a well known circus as a test to see whether he should sign articles for a match with Joe Stecher of Dodge, Neb., who had won the title from Charlie Cutler of Chicago. Gotch had declared Cutler the American champion upon his retirement.Gotch had been with the circus, wrestling with Bob ManagofT, Earl Caddock and others only a short time, when he was compelled to return to his home because of stomach trouble He never regained his health fully, although he later rejoined the circus being compelled to leave it again when he injured his ankle.Travels for Ills Health.The discoveries the champion made regarding his condition that summer caused him to abandon all plans of a match with Stecher, and the following spring Karl Caddock won the title from the Nebraskan at Omaha, when he was substituted at Gotch's behest for the Humboldt man.Makes Fortune Wrestling.Gotch built up a fortune in wrestling and by investing his earnings in Iowa farm lands. His estate Is variously estimated at between $200,000 and $400,000. all of which represents money made through his ability as a grappler.No wrestler. In the opinion of the best experts, ever equaled Gotch. The latter had stated many times that he considered Earl Caddock, the present champion, the best man he had seen during his wrestling career and he took a great interest in the young Iowan's work, being his chief adviser when he won the title from Stecher in Omaha last spring. He often stated that if Caddock weighed fifteen pounds more no wrestler—not even himself— would be able to throw him.Wins American Title In 1904. Gotch won the American championship Jan. 27. 1904, from Tom Jenkins after one of the roughest matches ever wen in this country. The bout-was staged at Bellingham. Wash. Gotch won the first fall and was awarded the second after Jenkins had fouled him repeatedly by applying the strangle hold and by striking him.Four years later the Humboldt man won the undisputed wrestling championship of the world by defeating George llackcnsrhmidt. “the Russian Lion,” at the Dexter Bark pavilion, Chicago, in a forfeited match after two hours of grueling wrestling. There was iio fall in the match, but the invader quit, exhausted after the two hours of effort against a man who plainly showed that he was superior in every respect.Trench stationery, ready to mail, at Toed’s. f J-d-eod-tfClaimed to be From Dun com be.Algona Courier: Marshal Andersonof Algona smelled a rat when some strangers, claiming to hail from Dun-combe, were held up by tire trouble ^11 Algona. They objected to having their auto searched, but the marshal insisted, and after calling Sheriff Samson, the nine gallons of whisky and twenty-eight pints of beer which were on board ship were disclosed. Next morning the wet goods were poured into the gutter and the men •,)aid the minimum fine of $100 and costs and proceeded on their way.Very III.C. E. Phillips, who resides on west Boone street, is very ill with erysipelas of the head and complications.DEATH CLAIMS WELL KNOWN CITIZENB. F. Nickerson Passes Away Following Two Weeks Illness.—60 Years of Age.B. F. Nickerson passed away last evening at 7 o’clock following a fortnight’s serious illness with liver and heart trouble. Mr. Nickerson’s demise was a result of his critical attack of typhoid fever five years ago from which he had never fully recovered.Benjamin Franklin Nickerson wus born in Illinois, September 8, 1851, and had therefore passed his sixty-sixth milestone. The family came here twenty^seven years ago. Mr. Nickerson engaged in the livery business after coming to this city and later entered the real estate business and had been engaged in that for about sixteen years. For about five years he.acted as chief of police of Webster City and served in this capacity the second time for some two years.The deceased’s first wife passed away In the spring of 1909. In July, 1914, he married Mrs. Maude Davis and she, together with three children by the former marriage, survive Mr. Nickerson. The children are Mrs. Wilson Walton of this city, J. A. Nickerson, Sioux City, and Paul Nickerson, who Is with the United States army in France. The latter, of course, knows nothing of his father’s death. Three brothers also survive Mr. Nickerson—James Nickerson, Jubilee. Iowa; Geo. Nickerson, Heyworth, 111., John Nickerson, Colfax. 111.In the death of Mr. Nickerson this city loses one of its best known citizens and the Odd Fellows lodge one of Its oldest members. For over thirty-five years he had been an active member of the Odd Fellows here and elsewhere.Funeral services will be held from the Methodist church at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Dr. R. T. Chipperfleld and Rev. C. V. Pence. Interment will be made in Graceland cemetery.Trench mirrors at Teod’sf-J-d-eod-tfFreight Pars Off Track.Six cars in a through freight on the Illinois Central jumped the track when about a hundred and fifty feet this side of the retarder factory at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The engine did not leave the track and no one was hurt. The cause was thought to be a broken Journal. Traffic was tied up for about three hours while the wreqker came from Ft. podge to clear the track.Trench pillows at Teed’s.f-J-d-eod-tfHogs For Sale.Call telephone No. 151. Tell us how many hogs or shouts you want.15dfj-tf Chris Gartner.Removed From Home.I. N Fear, who has been at the home of his brother, J. K. Fear, since his recent serious accident, was removed to his home on west First street this afternoon. Mr. Fear is getting along as well as can be expected.Porn.Chris Gartner wants a few more thousand bushels of corn. Pall telephone No. 151 and tell him how many bushels you have for sale. . 15dfJ-tfThe Royal Neighbors will meet at the English Lutheran church at 2:15 tomorrow afternoon to attend the funeral of Mrs. Lars Larson.H. R. Dodge, who lias been confined to his home for a week by illness, is down town again today.The Misses Cora Butler and Hilda Rasmussen are assisting In Latimer Bros, store during the holiday trade.Newest in jewelry mul nice novelties nt Teed Teal's. f-J-d-eod-tftoti:ccitBeOffofic
Newspaper Details
Webster City Freeman
Webster, Iowa, US
Mon, Dec 17, 1917
Page 3
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Joaquin P.
USA 16 Jun 2023
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Webster City Freeman
