Fond du Lac WI: February 20, 1900
(Armory E) ... (Handicap) Dan McLeod beat Harry Muldoon (4 falls in 60:00; required only
42 minutes) ... NOTE: McLeod accepted Jack O'Hara's challenge for a match within two
weeks at $200 a side, with the proviso that he throw O'Hara three times in an hour

Mankato MN: February 26, 1900
John J. Rooney beat Robert Faulkner (3-2)

Detroit MI: March 6, 1900
M.J. Reilly (of Detroit MI) beat A.E. Thipedeau (of Chicago IL) (2-0)

Fond du Lac WI: March 6, 1900
(Handicap) Dan McLeod beat Jack O'Hara (three falls in 60:00; required 29:00) ... NOTE:
Kara Hasson, the Turk, sees his challenge accepted by McLeod on condition of a $1,000
side bet

Notre Dame IN: March 29, 1900
James McWeeney vs John Rooney

Chicago Tribune: April 8, 1900
In a special report from New Orleans, dated April 6, Charles R. (Parson) Davies notes,
"Citizens of the Empire State are traditionally fond of sport, and it was a foregone
conclusion some other class of sport would succeed boxing in New York. The exact nature
of the sporting successor of boxing in the American metropolis was until recently in doubt.
The New York papers are devoting considerable attention to wrestling, and that sport is
undoubtedly destined to take a high place in the estimation of the people of that section. It
has already taken a hold on the public, and after Sept. 1 the absence of boxing in New
York will leave a void which only wrestling can fill. There can be no doubt that under
honest management and with capable and conscientious wrestlers wrestling is an
entertaining and desirable sport. The match between Ernest Roeber and the Great Dane
has given a healthy impetus to the sport in New York."
++++

Chicago Tribune: April 15, 1900
The latest letter from Charles R. (Parson) Davies states, in part: "I observe that D.C.
McMillan, the famous heavyweight wrestler at mixed styles, has reached San Francisco,
accompanied by Hadi Adli, the Turkish strangler. They are there for the purpose of making
a match with some marvelous Japanese wrestler who is now stopping in the Golden Gate
City. The interest show in this prospective engagement gives emphasis to what I said in my
last letter to The Tribune about wrestling taking a firm hold on the public. If boxing is to be
supplanted by any sport wrestling will unquestionably be the former's successor. So
thoroughly convinced am I of the force of this suggestion that I favor a wrestling
tournament taking place in either New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland,
Pittsburgh or Chicago, the contestants paying a good entry fee and receiving good prices
for victories. It is my intention to endeavor to have that past master in the art of wrestling,
William Muldoon, take an interest in the tournament. If the managers and wrestlers are
only honest there is a world of money to be made in advancing and promoting this sport."
++++

Chicago Tribune: April 20, 1900
Writing from New Orleans again, dated April 18, Charles R. (Parson) Davies reveals: "I
have just received a letter from London offering me the management of George
Hackenschmidt, who is known on the continent as "the Russian Lion." He claims the title of
champion wrestler of the world, and is at present appearing in London, offering $150 to
anyone whom he fails to throw in fifteen minutes, Graeco-Roman style. Also he offers $250
to anyone who succeeds in throwing him. Judging from his muscular developments, he is a
wonderful athlete. His measurements, as taken by the editor of Health and Strength
Magazine, are as follows: Height, 5 feet 8 inches; weight, 224 pounds; chest, 52 inches;
neck, 23; upper arm, 19; thigh, 28 1/2. He has a record of lifting at arm's length 300
pounds. He insisted upon going on the stage of a music hall in London, where Jack
Carkeek is appearing, and was prepared to accept Carkeek's offer of $50 to anyone that
he (Carkeek) could not throw in fifteen minutes. Carkeek refused to wrestle him other than
Cornish style, a form of wrestling that "The Russian Lion" probably never even heard of. A
Graeco-Roman match between them is now spoken of."

Chicago, IL: May 11, 1900
(Tattersall’s) … Bech Olsen failed to throw John Rooney … Olsen was to throw both
Rooney and Farmer Burns best three of five falls. Burns refused to wrestle unless paid to
advance. Burns, who showed a contract for $600, claimed the Olsen party wanted him to
lay down. Referee George Siler called the match a draw.

Milwaukee WI: July 13, 1900
(Turner Hall) ... Jack Carkeek beat Hjalmar Lundin (2-0) ... NOTE: "Lundin was out to win, if
possible, and he went at it like a Chinese Boxer with a long sword. Carkeek's skill and
agility saved him half a dozen times, and he finally turned the tables and won the bout by a
flying fall. Time, 20 minutes. The second bout was fully as fast as the first, and again the
Swede showed his strength. He was a trifle slow, and Carkeek finally won the bout and the
match with a half Nelson and leg hold." -- Chicago Tribune, July 14, 1900 ... Afterward,
Carkeek signed articles with John Rooney, the so-called "giant gripman," for a Graeco-
Roman bout to be decided in this city.

Milwaukee WI: August 4, 1900
(G-R) Jack Carkeek beat Tom Cannon (of Liverpool ENGLAND) (2-0) ... NOTE: Carkeek
easily prevailed, in 7 and 17 minutes, respectively, for a purse of $250 in a bout tied to the
annual Scotch games being held here.

Milwaukee, WI: August 7, 1900
(G-R) John Rooney beat Jack Carkeek (1-0, utc) … NOTE: After two minutes of the
second fall, Carkeek said that he was unable to continue. Referee Malachi Hogan
announced Rooney as the winner. The match for $500 a side was billed for the
championship of the world.

Notre Dame IN: October 20, 1900
James McWeeny issues a challenge to John J. Rooney through the pages of the Chicago
Tribune, issue of October 23 ... McWeeny calls for a catch-as-catch-can affair, best three
falls out of five.

Chicago Tribune: December 5, 1900
"Paul Pons has his own ideas on training as well as wrestling, and his methods are
peculiar. Unlike the American athlete, he goes to bed at a late hour, arises late in the
morning; takes breakfast about noon, and eats or drinks anything he chooses. Instead of
the conventional steaks, chops, eggs and toast considered essential by Americans, he
trains on snails, frog legs, wine, and cigarettes. Although his diet is an odd one for an
athlete who is shortly to meet a rugged opponent in a finish contest he seems to thrive on
it. He is a giant in strength and endurance and has frequently wrestled hours without
showing signs of fatigue."

Chicago IL: December 10, 1900
(Coliseum) ... (G-R) John J. Rooney beat Paul Pons (foul) ... The foul came after 28:00
when Pons threw Rooney through the ropes and off the platform. Pons and his manager
Regnier refused to continue the bout after the foul claim. Referee: George Siler ... NOTE:
Strangle hold is barred ... The Tribune notes: "Chicago has been treated to many 'fake'
matches in the wrestling line, dating from the Lewis-Burns encounter at the old Lake Front
Battery many years ago, and consequently always looks with suspicion on events of this
kind, but there does not appear to be any evidence of insincerity in (this) bout ..." ... Pons
claims the European championship, stands about six-feet-six, weighs 290 and is either 38
or 39 years old

Marshfield, WI: December 15, 1900
Ed Adamson beat Fred Beell (by winning the last three falls)

Chicago, IL: December 29, 1900
(Chicago Athletic Association) … (catch) John Willie beat John Johnson (9:25) … plus
boxing exhibitions, fencing and other exercises


Research by J Michael Kenyon
Chicago Wrestling Results - 1900