Georgia Wrestling History - the Home of Peach State Pandemonium: Who's Who

WHO'S WHO: MR. HOPPER

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REAL NAME: No verification of full name is available to us at this time

MATCH RECORDS, MENTIONS, OR APPEARANCES IN GEORGIA

NOVEMBER 24, 1887 (THURSDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – MARKET HALL
(Promoter – Unknown)
Handicap Match: John Muhler defeated F.S. Hughes (3-0)
Notes: F.S. Hughes substituted for E.E. Smith in the match with John Muhler. Smith had been billed as a ‘Captain’ from Augusta. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. It was reported that Smith would receive $100 from John Muhler if he could win a single fall, with Muhler receiving gate receipts. Smith arrived late for the match, and in an effort to make certain the audience who had gathered were entertained, F.S. Hughes volunteered to wrestle Muhler.

DECEMBER 12, 1887 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – CONCORDIA HALL
(Promoter – Unknown)
> Handicap Match: John Muhler defeated Frank Dougherty (4-0) and Dennis O'Leary (4-0)
Notes: Per a stipulation, John Muhler had to defeat both Frank Dougherty and Dennis O’Leary four times in a two hours or forfeit $100. A fall would consist of two shoulders and one hip or two hips and one shoulder. Muhler required 0:40, 0:40, 0:50, and 3:00, respectively, to gain the requisite four falls over Dougherty. Muhler then managed to get the four specified falls from O'Leary at 2:00, 8:00, 4:00, and the other in an undisclosed amount of time, during which O'Leary nearly pinned Muhler before succumbing. As a result, Muhler kept the money he had risked. Dougherty was described as “a Stone Mountain stone-cutter”, who was known as ‘Mr. Hercules’. It was reported that the stage was covered with sawdust to the depth of three inches, over which a tarpaulin was spread. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. Hinton Wright was credited as being the referee.

DECEMBER 27, 1887 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA GA – CONCORDIA HALL
(Promoter – Unknown)
> Graeco-Roman Match: John Muhler and Greek George wrestled to a draw at 1:19 (1-1)
Notes: It was reported that John Muhler won the first fall at 48:00 and Greek George won the second at 13:00. The final round ended upon a midnight curfew at 18:00. James Lynch was credited as the referee. It was reported that the winner would receive 75% of the gate money, with the loser getting the remainder. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. Atlanta Mayor John Tyler Cooper was in attendance for this card.

JANUARY 5, 1888 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA GA – CONCORDIA HALL
(Promoter – Unknown)
> Mixed Catch-as-Catch-Can / Graeco-Roman / Side-Hold Match: John Muhler defeated Greek George (2-1)
Notes: Greek George won the first fall with John Muhler at 29:00, Muhler won the second fall at 36:00 and the third fall in an undisclosed amount of time. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. James Lynch was credited as being the referee.

JANUARY 9, 1888 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA GA – CONCORDIA HALL
(Promoter – Unknown)
> Mixed Styles Match: John Muhler defeated Greek George
Notes: It was reported that 200 were in attendance for this card. John Muhler won the first fall under Graeco-Roman style, and was declared the winner of the match when Greek George was deemed unable to continue during the Catch-as-Catch Can style second fall. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. James Lynch was credited as being the referee.

JANUARY 13, 1888 (FRIDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA
(Promoter – Unknown)
> John Muhler versus O’Connor
Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. The Augusta Evening News only listed the advertisement for the match between John Muhler and O’Connor (no first name given). It described O’Connor as a blacksmith from the Carolinas. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

JANUARY 16, 1888 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA GA – CONCORDIA HALL
(Promoter – Unknown)
> Mixed Styles Match: Duncan C. Ross defeated John Muhler (2-1)
Notes: It was reported that 300 were in attendance for this card. John Muhler took a fall at Graeco-Roman style, but Duncan C. Ross countered with falls in the catch-as-catch-can and collar & elbow styles. It was reported that the men had a side bet of $300, and that the winner would receive 85% of the gate receipts with the loser getting the remainder. It was reported that Sergeant Walsh, the only man ever reported to have defeated Ross in a mounted sword contest, was traveling with Ross. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler.