Martin Burns (catch wrestler)
From Kook Science
| Martin "Farmer" Burns | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Press photo, c. 1913 | |
| Alias(es) | "Farmer" Burns |
| Born | Martin Burns 3 August 1872 Cedar Co., Iowa |
| Died | 19 June 1957 (84) Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa |
| Known for | Catch-as-catch-can wrestling |
| Spouse(s) | Amelia Burns |
Martin "Farmer" Burns (February 15, 1861 - January 8, 1937) was an American catch-as-catch-can wrestler, actively working from 1879 through the 1890s, after which he took up coaching and instruction, training the likes of Frank Gotch and Earl Caddock, the original "Man of 1,000 Holds." During his career as a wrestler, Burns notably held the American Heavyweight Championship, a title he claimed by defeating Evan "Strangler" Lewis at the Second Regiment Armory in Chicago, Illinois on 20 April 1895[A] and lost to Dan McLeod at the Grand Opera House in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 26 October 1897.
Selected Bibliography
- Burns, Farmer (1914), The Lessons in Wrestling and Physical Culture, Omaha, Neb.: Farmer Burns School of Wrestling
Press Coverage
- RIA (22 Apr. 1895), "BURNS IS VICTOR. Wins the Wrestling match With Evan Lewis. HE IS NOW THE CHAMPION. The Great Athletic Event in Chicago Saturday Night — The 'Farmer' Proves too Smooth for the Strangler and Captures the Honors.", Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, IL): 5, https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92053934/1895-04-22/ed-1/seq-6/
- Yould, C. Mason (9 Feb. 1913), "Clean Living Basis of a Great Athlete's Success in Sport - 'Farmer' Burns as a Fine Example of American Manhood", Omaha Daily Bee (Omaha, NE): 2-S, https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99021999/1913-02-09/ed-1/seq-52/