Wrestling! Tonight!

Spelling bees, Saturday night shoot-‘em-ups, quilting parties, and card games were just a few ways in which people amused themselves in the Old West. Wrestling matches were among the most favorite past-times. Early colonists from England are credited with making the sport popular. They brought with them a variety of wrestling styles and often persuaded Native Americans to participate in the matches. Wrestling tournaments were featured at picnics, threshing bees, and holiday celebrations. Professional wrestlers from carnivals would often times challenge local wrestling champions to a match and cash prizes were awarded to the amateur that could throw the expert. These events were so well attended special arenas were built to hold the crowds that flocked to see them. On nights when no one would challenge the wrestling champ, a large, brown bear was paraded out for him to compete against. If the man won he was awarded more than a hundred dollars. If the bear won he got a basket of apples.