In Knoxville on January 11, 1911, George Hackenschmidt, one of the biggest name in professional wrestling, appeared and boasted that he could beat Albert Mandino three times in an hour. The "Russian Lion" was successful in taking two falls, but failed in scoring a third, and lost the match. The Associated Press, on January 4, 1963, reported that Jackie Fargo, "a wrestling referee from Nashville," had been taken and treated at a Chattanooga hospital after being attacked by a tag team - which was "too realistic," according to the article. "Fargo suffered a black eye and neck and shoulder injuries." The Kingsport Times-News of Kingsport, TN did a feature on pro wrestling in its February 17, 1963 edition. It stated that Herb Larson was a 16 year veteran of wrestling, beginning his career when he was 16. He stated that most wrestlers didn't reach their peak until 36 years of age. He had interest in a candy plant in Madison. The local promoter was Mickey Baarns. Baarns, the longtime promoter in Tennessee, owned Mickey's Martinique at 1768 Ft. Henry Drive, near Brooks Circle, in Kingsport. The establishment was open 24 hours and Mickey was always willing to talk wrestling. He was a former amateur champion in Canada at 128 pounds in 1938. Baarns was born in Canada on October 5, 1918 and died on February 3, 1996 in Los Angeles. Longtime wrestler Bill Canny (William F. Canny) lived at 1632 Fairfield Avenue and died at Holston Valley Community Hospital on July 8, 1966 in Kingsport, TN. He was a native of Kansas City and won the Golden Gloves middleweight championship at 19. He was also a professional boxer and his obituary stated that he boxed Maxie Stribling and Maxie Rosenbloom. He married Angela Davarlos of Mexico. He had three sons and one daughter. His brother was Ray Canny. Research by Tim Hornbaker |
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