Volume 023-4 - July 1969 (3 pages)

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITTANICA Cornish wrestling is confined to Cornwald and Brittany, where in the fifth and sixth centuries A. D, it had been played in Cornwald since remote times and there isalegendary account of a contest between a Cornish giant, Goemor, and a Trojan warrior, Dorineous, said to have taken place about 1000 B.C, Cornish wrestlers fought at Agincourt under a banner that {s still the symbol of the Cornish Wrestling Association, The wrestlers wear special canvas jackets fastened in front by cords and no shoes, A full description of the sport is given in Richard Carew’s ‘‘The survey of Cornwald’’? (London 1602) and details of its history in the Journal of Royal Institution of Cornwald, new series Vol. fi, Part 2 (Truro 1864). weer iad THE MUSEUMS The Nevada County Historical Soclety is very proud that both Museums are awaiting a visit from all its members and the general public, The Mining Exhibit has been moved to its permanent location in Boston Ravine and has been housed in the old North Star Mine Power House, The main building has been rehabilitated by the Society and the mining artifacts arranged in an attractive manner for the visitor. The Mining Exhibit is open to the public from I1A.M, to 5 P.M. The Nevada City Museum has been updated and is attracting visitors to ‘the Gold Cities. It is open for the same as hours as the Mining Exhibit and makes it possible for visitors to take in these two attractions during a relative short stay. Childrenare free but must be accom-~ panied by adults. HELP TO PRESERVE OUR COUNTY'S IMPORTANT AND ROMANTIC PAST JOIN THE NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Membership only $1 per year — Payable January Ist each year Send $1.00 to Esther Hartung, 303 South Church St, Grass Valley The Nevada County Historical Society meets first Thursday of each month except June, July and August. 1969 OFFICERS OF THE NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: President: Robert A. Gates, Vice President: George Brooks 2 Route 2, Box 318 G.V. 273-4185 2% Comercial St. NC C 265-2490 Secretary: Esther Hartung 303 z ee St. G.V. 273 Treasurer: Winifred C. Creegan P.0. Box 104° N.C 265-2996 Past President: Albert L. Johnson 202 N. Pine St. N.C. 265-4760 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ISABEL HEFELFINGER ADELAIDE ELLIOTT ARLIE HANSEN GLENN JONES JOHN TREMEWAN JOSEPH W. WESELSKY CHESTER MELL Bulletin Editor: Clinton H, Lee, Nevada City VISIT The Nevada County y Historical & Societies MINING ERT in Grass Valley an SEUM in Nevada City. regularly during the Tourist Season and in the: winter by appointnent. Nevada County Historical Society Vol. 23 No. 4 July 1969 CORNISH WRESTLING IN NEVADA COUNTY BY LAURA M. GRIBBEN ROWE What changes are wrought on the world's stage during the life of mankind! Periodically, the curtain of time falls, only to rise again on new scenes, new plays and new actors. So it has always been. So it will always be. With the deftness of a magician, history has turned bustling mining camps into expanding modern cities and replaced age-old ideas with ever-changing progressive methods, Traditions too, once popular, have become obliterated and almost forgotten. When Nevada County played her first role in the Story of the West, audiences were captivated by the beauty of her backdrops; majestic mountain settings, lush pastures, forests and streams, The discovery in 1950 of gold quartz in Centerville (Grass Valley) provided reason enough for the boom camps that sprung up. The formation of mining companies followed, This necessitated the migratory influx of Englishmen who were experienced in underground mining. Upon their arrival here, it was found that not only did England’s former tin miners possess a wide knowledge of mining operations, but also a flair for music, song, wit and humor, and a special skill in the art of Cornish wrestling. According to Arthur Cecil Todd’s ‘‘The Cornish Miner in America’’ the physiques of Cornishmen were better styled for demonstrations of their prowess in the arts of wrestling and boxing (This pertinent opinion has been challengea many times in the past by other than Cornishmen, however.) The wrestling sport, first introduced by our English cousins and continued throughout the years, increased in popularity in ‘‘fits and spurts.’”” This was due, to some extent, upon the times the lean years and the good years; whether they involved depressions and a lessening of gold production, or increased productions and employment for all. It was not until the final curtain fell on the mining scene, that the wrestlers, like the industry, stepped off-stage, away from the glare of the limelight. CORNISH WRESTLING RULES Before proceeding further, perhaps it would be well to explain briefly, about the basic rules of Cornish wrestling. Unlike the ‘‘exhibition’? or ‘‘catch-as-catch can’? type of wrestling performances so familiar today, the sport of Curnish wrestling demands trick holds, fast footwork and feats of strength and skill. : Wrestling shorts (in yesteryears they were long drawers) and waist length jackets made of canvas to withstand the holdsand tugs, are worn by the contestants. Only jacket holds are permitted, Neither grabbing below the waist, nor ‘‘Flying Mares’?(over the shoulder throws) are allowed. A man must be thrown clear for three points with elther two shoulders

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITTANICA Cornish wrestling is confined to Cornwald and Brittany, where in the fifth and sixth centuries A. D, it had been played in Cornwald since remote times and there isalegendary account of a contest between a Cornish giant, Goemor, and a Trojan warrior, Dorineous, said to have taken place about 1000 B.C, Cornish wrestlers fought at Agincourt under a banner that {s still the symbol of the Cornish Wrestling Association, The wrestlers wear special canvas jackets fastened in front by cords and no shoes, A full description of the sport is given in Richard Carew’s ‘‘The survey of Cornwald’’? (London 1602) and details of its history in the Journal of Royal Institution of Cornwald, new series Vol. fi, Part 2 (Truro 1864). weer iad THE MUSEUMS The Nevada County Historical Soclety is very proud that both Museums are awaiting a visit from all its members and the general public, The Mining Exhibit has been moved to its permanent location in Boston Ravine and has been housed in the old North Star Mine Power House, The main building has been rehabilitated by the Society and the mining artifacts arranged in an attractive manner for the visitor. The Mining Exhibit is open to the public from I1A.M, to 5 P.M. The Nevada City Museum has been updated and is attracting visitors to ‘the Gold Cities. It is open for the same as hours as the Mining Exhibit and makes it possible for visitors to take in these two attractions during a relative short stay. Childrenare free but must be accom-~ panied by adults. HELP TO PRESERVE OUR COUNTY'S IMPORTANT AND ROMANTIC PAST JOIN THE NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Membership only $1 per year — Payable January Ist each year Send $1.00 to Esther Hartung, 303 South Church St, Grass Valley The Nevada County Historical Society meets first Thursday of each month except June, July and August. 1969 OFFICERS OF THE NEVADA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: President: Robert A. Gates, Vice President: George Brooks 2 Route 2, Box 318 G.V. 273-4185 2% Comercial St. NC C 265-2490 Secretary: Esther Hartung 303 z ee St. G.V. 273 Treasurer: Winifred C. Creegan P.0. Box 104° N.C 265-2996 Past President: Albert L. Johnson 202 N. Pine St. N.C. 265-4760 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ISABEL HEFELFINGER ADELAIDE ELLIOTT ARLIE HANSEN GLENN JONES JOHN TREMEWAN JOSEPH W. WESELSKY CHESTER MELL Bulletin Editor: Clinton H, Lee, Nevada City VISIT The Nevada County y Historical & Societies MINING ERT in Grass Valley an SEUM in Nevada City. regularly during the Tourist Season and in the: winter by appointnent. Nevada County Historical Society Vol. 23 No. 4 July 1969 CORNISH WRESTLING IN NEVADA COUNTY BY LAURA M. GRIBBEN ROWE

What changes are wrought on the world's stage during the life of mankind! Periodically, the curtain of time falls, only to rise again on new scenes, new plays and new actors. So it has always been. So it will always be. With the deftness of a magician, history has turned bustling mining camps into expanding modern cities and replaced age-old ideas with ever-changing progressive methods, Traditions too, once popular, have become obliterated and almost forgotten. When Nevada County played her first role in the Story of the West, audiences were captivated by the beauty of her backdrops; majestic mountain settings, lush pastures, forests and streams, The discovery in 1950 of gold quartz in Centerville (Grass Valley) provided reason enough for the boom camps that sprung up. The formation of mining companies followed, This necessitated the migratory influx of Englishmen who were experienced in underground mining. Upon their arrival here, it was found that not only did England’s former tin miners possess a wide knowledge of mining operations, but also a flair for music, song, wit and humor, and a special skill in the art of Cornish wrestling. According to Arthur Cecil Todd’s ‘‘The Cornish Miner in America’’ the physiques of Cornishmen were better styled for demonstrations of their prowess in the arts of wrestling and boxing (This pertinent opinion has been challengea many times in the past by other than Cornishmen, however.) The wrestling sport, first introduced by our English cousins and continued throughout the years, increased in popularity in ‘‘fits and spurts.’”” This was due, to some extent, upon the times the lean years and the good years; whether they involved depressions and a lessening of gold production, or increased productions and employment for all. It was not until the final curtain fell on the mining scene, that the wrestlers, like the industry, stepped off-stage, away from the glare of the limelight. CORNISH WRESTLING RULES Before proceeding further, perhaps it would be well to explain briefly, about the basic rules of Cornish wrestling. Unlike the ‘‘exhibition’? or ‘‘catch-as-catch can’? type of wrestling performances so familiar today, the sport of Curnish wrestling demands trick holds, fast footwork and feats of strength and skill. : Wrestling shorts (in yesteryears they were long drawers) and waist length jackets made of canvas to withstand the holdsand tugs, are worn by the contestants. Only jacket holds are permitted, Neither grabbing below the waist, nor ‘‘Flying Mares’?(over the shoulder throws) are allowed. A man must be thrown clear for three points with elther two shoulders