DUBUQUE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

DUBUQUE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. Through the efforts of Charles Thomas HANCOCK, the Dubuque Athletic Association was established in 1899 to accomplish one goal--to organize a 'monster boxing carnival' in the 6,000 seating capacity Saegerbund auditorium. (1) Association officials sent out 85,000 letters to every town within a radius of 300 miles. (2) This was to occur the same week as the highly promoted racing event Hancock was organizing at NUTWOOD PARK. With racing in the afternoon and boxing at night, Hancock hoped to attract sports enthusiasts from all over the nation. (3) Together the events were part of the five-day GRAND TRI-STATE JUBILEE, CARNIVAL AND FREE STREET FAIR.

The president of the Dubuque Athletic Association, James Agnew, later played an important role in Dubuque Three-I League baseball. John P. Lux, a saloon operator, was elected vice-president and H. A. Perry was named secretary and treasurer. (4) Association officials hired Lou Houseman, a well-known boxing promoter from Chicago, who served as the agent for many boxers of all weight classes. (5)

In 1909 the Association announced articles of agreement for a best two out of three wrestling match on New Year's afternoon between Kid Cutler and the "Mysterious Conductor." The contest was to be held at GERMANIA HALL. (6) The Association first presented wrestling entertainment in the GRAND OPERA HOUSE in March, 1910 when a special effort was made to attract ladies to the audience. (7)

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Source:

1. "Dubuque Was the Capital of All Sportsdome One Week Back in 1899, B.P. When Charlie Hancock Drew The Horses Here," Telegraph-Herald and Times Journal, February 26, 1933, p. 7

2. "The Way a Fistic (sp) Carnival is Run," The Dubuque Herald, August 27, 1899 p. 3

3. "Dubuque Was the Capital..."

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. "Kid Cutler and Conductor Battle," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1909, p. 7

7. "Plans Perfected for Monday's Go," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, March 6, 1910, p. 20