TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 22, 1949
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE FIVE
Gorgeous Has New Robe And Permanent For Garden Debut
New York, Feb. 22—(U.P.) - Gorgeous George is going to knock 'em dead tonight when, complete with valet and cologne atomizer, he swishes down the aisle for Madison Square Garden's first wrestling show in 12 years. The Gorgeous one has a new robe, a creation which is destined to make
The Gorgeous one has a new robe, a creation which is designed to make all the ladies in the joint feel like they are dressed in gingham with burlap trimming.
"Yes sir," dutifully replied Jackson, his tiny, bald-headed valet.
Piece de resistance of all his 89 fancy dressing gowns, this is "it." Made of 26 yards of slipper satin and covered with brocaded lace, the gown with its border of roses and forget-me-nots is the apple of George's limpid blue eyes.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Gorgeous breathed soulsily as he patted the new permanent in his golden hair. "Yes sir," dutply replied Jack-
"I think I'll use it just this once and then put it in a glass case," gorgeous allowed, snapping his white satin suspenders and caressing the crease in his canary yellow trousers.
The Gorgeous one is more excited by his New York debut than a society belle at her coming out party.
Back in 1940, Gorgeous was just another wrestler named George Wagner. Born in Seward, Neb., and reared in Houston, Tex., he wasn't making much more than coffee and cokes. Then he got the big idea which since has enabled him to buy two turkey ranches in California and Oregon and assure a comfortable future for his wife and two daughters.
by his New York debut than a society belle at her coming out party. He flew in his own hairdresser from Hollywood to be certain that his coiffure was perfect. But despite these fantastic preparations, he doesn't want anybody to think he's a "freak."
Despite his fancy clothing and beauty parlor passion, Gorgeous actually is a pretty good wrestler. What he has done is to capitalize on a bizarre idea to make him an attraction on the theatrical grunt and groan circuit.
"The first time I tried to wear a fancy robe to the ringside, the promoter wouldn't let me do it," Gorgeous recalled. "So the next time I had a guy waiting at the entrance to the arena and I slipped it on while I was walking down the aisle. The next week I was back in the main event."
"I just like nice things," Gorgeous insisted. "And when I take off my robe and my valet leaves the ring, I'm just a wrestler."
Since then he has been packing them in across the country. But George admitted that it took him a long while to get thick-skinned enough to ignore the jeers and whistles.
"Once I was walking down the street in Columbus, Ohio, and five sailors started whistling at me," he said. "I confronted them and, well, they retreated, not me. Now I'm used to it."
He should be. Whenever he goes in his riotous raiment, Gorgeous immediately attracts a crowd.
Gorgeous would like to correct the impression that he has his valet spray perfume in the ring.
"It is disinfectant, mixed with cologne so it won't be objectionable to ringsiders," he said. "I think all rings should be disinfected after each bout."
Lake Placid Bobsled Races
Marred By Third Accident
Lake Placid, N.Y. Feb. 22—(U.P.)—French bobsledder Henri Adam was "holding his own" but remained in critical condition today after his crash during the world's two-man bobsled championships yesterday.
A victim of the third accident on the treacherous Lake Placid course this month, Adam was in Lake Placid hospital with a fractured skull and numerous serious cuts. His teammate, Louis Saint Calbre, also was in the hospital, but with less serious injuries.
The Frenchmen crashed almost at the exact spot that Belgian driver Max Houben was killed Feb. 10 in a warmup for the championships.
Dr. Francis W. D'Avignon said Adam "has a good chance to come through all right, but it's had to tell with a fractured skull so early."
The dare-devil Swiss team of
dierder Walzer won the title,
niederich Waller won the title.
Freshman Ball Players To Meet
All freshmen interested in baseball practice this spring are requested to meet in 203 Robinson gymnasium at 4 p.m. Wednesday. "Red" Hogan, the new baseball coach, would like to meet all interested freshman then.
Dan Morgan Going Strong
New York, Feb. 22—(U.P.)—"Dumb Dan" Morgan, the ancient fight manager with the young tongue, was prepared today to write history—fight and American.
The little man who talks incessantly has come up with another fighter and he figured to give featherweight champion Willie Pep and Christopher Columbus both trouble.
"It's this way," explained Morgan after a short preamble of a few thousand well chosen words. "This kid I've got is a Spanish boy named Tony Nives. He can do everything and besides, his family was over here before Columbus discovered America."
Morgan wasn't quite ready to nail down such a statement. But he hinted that he had something to do with Spainard who sailed with Leif Ericson.
Several characters with cauliflowered ears and hemisticled eyebrows criticized this buildup and this vapour. Gibson and Columbus had a boat race.
"I just haven't figured out—yet—how they got together," said Dumb Dan. "But I will. Don't worry."
And the words, "boat race" naturally turned Morgan's interest to horse racing.
They gave the wrinkled 76-year-old a watch at the Boxing Writers' dinner last month as the man who had done the most for boxing over a long span. But, knowing the way he likes the horses, they check him constantly to see whether he has it or whether it is down at Uncle Benny's swap shop.
"Still got it," Dumb Dan said, "baring his wrist. "But it will soon be April and the horses will be run-train in New York. By then, I dunno."
Morgan figured that the ponies, particularly the slow ones, have cost him $750,000. But he argues the merits of the mutuel machines by saying that it is a sport which keeps you young.
But if "Dumb Dan" didn't bet it away he'd probably give it away. For the tiny Irishman with the bright blue eyes believes in offering the helping hand. This one-time manager of such ring greats as Jack Britton and Battling Levinsky is one of the most tireless of hospital performers and benefit arrangers.
"Once I sold my house for $18,000 because I had a good system to beat the horses," he recalled. "Well, after the system got done with me I went back to dodging landlords. So you see it does keep you young and fast on your feet."
One of his most recent ventures was a charity affair he arranged for a church in the Bronx. Dan hustled the fighters who put on four bouts, arranged for the officials and staged the whole works.
All in all, Dumb Dan asserted, it was a highly successful evening. "What more," he demanded with his typical Irish witch, "can a man do for a couple of prayers."
Man's Sneeze Backfires
Framingham, Mass.—(U.E.)—When Eugene Hill sneezed, he lost control of his car and—it snapped off a light pole; the area was plunged into darkness; three parking meters were bowled over; Hill was fined $25 for dangerous driving.
PCL Training Under Way
Moundsmen kept their rubber-shirted arms busy today hoping to stay ahead of late starting hitters as the advance guard of eight Pacific Coast league teams went through their second day of California spring training.
By UNITED PRESS
More than a dozen players, including infielder Steve Mesner and pitcher Al Jurisich, still have not inked contracts with San Diego. At the Padres Ontario camp, 17 men reported to manager Bucky Harris with a dozen more on the way.
At Wilmington, manager Joo White put his Seattle Rainiers through their paces under a warm sun which shot the mercury into melting mode. Gareth went through light workouts despite a brushed rib picked up opening day.
One of the largest squads now preparing for the 1949 season is the Hollywood Stars. At their San Fernando base, the pepper games and light workouts reflected a note of optimism that manager Fred Haas told Ed Oliver, outfielders, Frank Kelleher and Al Libke and catcher Al Unser still haven't reported but are talking terms with the front office.
Manager Bill Sweeney of the Portland Beavers held his squad to very light drills today and said no long workouts would be scheduled until next week. Seven or eight more batterymen were expected at the Riverside headquarters within a few days.
New manager Del Baker of the Sacramento Solons had 18 hurlers going through workouts of less than two hours' duration, but said it was too early to make any forecasts about his mound staff for 1949. The Solons have pitched camp at Anaheim.
At Boyes Springs, the San Francisco Seals hustled through drills on a field still soogy with rain. Manager Lefty O'Doul put 32 youngsters, mostly pitchers and catchers, through light calenthenics, releasing them laughed for a short workout. Two of the club's players, Ryan Jarvis and Roy Partee, were still missing but were reported due for workouts tomorrow.
At least 30 men were expected at the Fullerton camp of the Los Angeles Angels tomorrow morning for opening drills. Manager Bill Kelly announced his sessions will be long ones lasting from 11 a.m. until late afternoon.
DeWitts Take Over Browns
St. Louis, Feb. 22—(U.P).—William DeWitt officially took over as the new president of the St. Louis Brown's today, while his brother, Charles, was designated the new vice president.
The DeWitt brothers purchased the club Feb. 12, but the formal election was made at a meeting of the Brown's board of directors Monday.
ACCESSORIES
- Auto Glass
  * Mirrors
  * Glass Table Tops
AUTO WRECKING AND JUNK CO.
Phone 954 712 E. 9th
Record Crowd Sees First Round Bouts
Chicago, Feb. 22—(U.P.)—Oklahoma City, Ft. Worth and Chicago provided three fighters each today for the quarterfinals of the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions
They emerged from the opening round of three-round bouts, watched by a record first-night crowd of 7,000 fans in the Chicago stadium last night.
Youths from Oklahoma City won in the 118, 126 and 135-pound divisions, while Chicago winners took firsts at 112, 126 and 135 pounds. Ft Worth had leaders in the rings for 112, 118 and 126-pounders.
When chartered in 1746 what is now known as Princeton university was called the College of New Jersey.
HANK BROWN
HANK BROWN
Photographic Dept.
846 Mass. Ph. 1707
We Are Moving!
from 911 Mass. St.
Come in and Help Yourself to Some Real Values
This Week Only—While They Last
Regular $37.50
17-Jewel Waterproof Watches ... $19.95
plus Fed. Tax
All $16.95 Leather Jackets $10.00
Brand New O.D. Blankets, Reg. $6.95___$ 5.45
—SALE PRICES APPLY AT BOTH STORES—
Don't Forget-After March 1st we will be at 740 Mass Street, ONLY.
LAWRENCE SURPLUS
740 & 911 Mass. Phones 588 & 669
Patronize the Advertisers in the University Daily Kansan.
The Department of Speech & Drama Presents The University Players
in
Bury the Dead
A Play of Peace and War
TONIGHT, WED., THURS., FRI.
Feb. 22, 23, 24, 25
FRASER THEATRE
Curtain 8:00 P.M.
Activity Tickets Admit!
(all seats reserved)
Ticket Office Basement Green Hall Open daily 9-12, 1-4