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When Baltimore’s Americus Beat Jim Parr in 1906

Gus Schoenlein, the Baltimore wrestler known as Americus, defeated Jim Parr twice in a club exhibition reported in April 1906.

1 min readUpdated
Portrait of Gus Schoenlein, the wrestler known as Americus
Gus Schoenlein, known as Americus, circa 1910–1915. Bain News Service. Library of Congress.

Baltimore wrestler Gus Schoenlein competed under the name Americus. In April 1906, he gave members of the Baltimore Athletic Club a reason to cheer by defeating the English wrestler Jim Parr in two straight falls.

The Washington Times account, dated April 8, 1906, described the match as an exhibition for club members. Schoenlein was the club’s wrestling instructor, and the paper identified him as a local light heavyweight.

According to the report, Parr had the advantage in weight, while Schoenlein was taller and younger. Schoenlein secured the first fall in 16 minutes with a half nelson and scissors hold. After a 15-minute break, he won the second in 16½ minutes with a hammerlock.

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Filed underGuest PostsNotable People & Places

Topics1900s

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