Jerry Johnson, who will give the program, has always had an interest in professional wrestling. He has studied Frank Gotch’s career, especially his 1904 Championship match. Johnson is a retired teacher from Bellingham and is currently writing a history of professional wrestling up to 1890.

On Jan. 27, 1904, sports fans throughout the nation fixated on a professional wrestling match held in Bellingham, Washington. Gotch, the “Iowa Cyclone” from Humboldt, was confronting “rough” Tom Jenkins, current World’s Champion from Cleveland, Ohio. Though a small northwest town at the time, Bellingham had gained a reputation as an early hotbed of professional wrestling.

The talk, in addition to providing an overview of this match and wrestling itself as an accepted “scientific exhibition,” will trace the interactions of the many professional wrestlers who converged on the Bellingham area — John Berg, Frank Coleman, Emil Klank, Joe Carroll, Chief Two Feathers and “Farmer” Burns.

The talk also will explore the “kayfabe” — or fake aspects — of professional wrestling in the early 1900s. It will argue that the entire series of events was a financial scam directed at the Bellingham community, which did not seem to care.

-Submitted photos
Frank Gotch faced off against World Champion Heavyweight wrestler Tom Jenkins on Jan. 27, 1904. This flyer advertises ringside and box seats for $2.50.

There is no charge to attend, but a freewill donation will be accepted.