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Message Board > Wrestling in Tampico-Apr. 5, 1917

Wrestling in Tampico-Apr. 5, 1917
The Tampico Area Historical Society encompasses parts of Whiteside County and Bureau County in Illinois. Focus is on Tampico, Hume Twp., Hahnaman/Deer Grove, & Prophetstown in Whiteside County & Yorktown & Thomas in Bureau County.

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sturt97 3 posts Jun 21, 2008 4:53 PM	My husband's great grandfather, Fred Cook a.k.a "Cookie" of Kewanee wrestled Sampson of Tampico on Friday, Apr. 5, 1917. The wrestling match was held in Tampico. I found the article in the Kewanne Star Courier. It was in the Thursday Apr. 5th issue stating the match would be on Friday. The Monday, Apr. 9th issue reported the fight. Fred Cook broke his elbow in the match. Would the Tampico paper also have any articles about the match????
Denise 293 posts Jun 21, 2008 9:01 PM	The Tampico Tornado should have the article. I will check our archives in the next day or two and post back here. I'm curious to know who "Sampson" was. I know there was a Thackaberry that wrestled in that time frame, I think. Denise Last Edited by on Jun 21, 2008 9:02 PM
Denise 294 posts Jun 22, 2008 1:18 PM	Tampico Tornado - Thursday, April 5, 1917 1;1 Heavy Weight Wrestling Match A heavy weight wrestling match will be pulled off in Burden's Opera House Friday evening, April 6. Young Sampson, the heavy weight champion of Wisconsin will go to the mat with Fred Cook of Kewanee, champion in northern Illinois in a catch as catch can best two out of three falls. It has been several years since there has been a match pulled off here and the local fans are showing considerable interest. *end of article* TAMPICO TORNADO April 12, 1917 1;2 SAMPSON THREW COOK Young Sampson champion of Wisconsin defeated Cook of Kewanee in a wrestling match held in Burden's Opera House Friday night. Cook secured the first fall in 14 minutes with a half Nelson and a hammerlock. Sampson then got the next fall in 7 minutes and the third Cook gave up having been worn out by Sampson. Cook weighed 220 and Sampson 175 and the match was one of the best ever held in the opera house. Both men worked hard. The attendance was good there being a $55 house. Cook says he wants to train and get in a little better shape and will then post $500 that he can throw Sampson. and if you are a fan of Sampson . . . TAMPICO TORNADO April 19, 1917 1;2 SAMSON [sic] DEFEATS PETERSON The program of wrestling events pulled off in Burden's Opera House Friday eveing was very interesting and pleasing to the crowd in attendance. As one of the principals in the main event did not arrive until nine o'clock, a preliminary match was arranged between George Meredith and Henry Kolb which was won by Meredith, the first fall in two minutes and the second in two and one-half minutes. At 9:15 the event of the evening began and proved to be a hotly contested match as both men were in fine form and well matched. Young Samson [sic] won the first fall in 32 minutes with a toe hold and half Nelson. Peterson then secured the second fall in eleven minutes, using an inside crotch and half Nelson, and the third fall went to Samson [sic] in 15 minutes with a toe and half Nelson. This was one of the best matches ever staged in Tampico and kept the audience on the tip toe almost the entire time. At the close of the match arrangements were made for a return bout on Thursday evening, April 19 with the toe hold barred by request of Peterson. A lively bout is expected by the local fans. Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2008 2:00 PM
sturt97 4 posts Jun 22, 2008 7:39 PM	Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!! I'm trying to gather all the wrestling articles about Great Grandpa Cook and make a small booklet for the family.

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