The June 8 1943 edition of the Toronto Daily Star contained this ad for a wrestling match:
One thing I want to know is this: when did newspapers stop using a period when abbreviating a first name? It used to always be common practice, when shortening a name such as Edward, to write it as “Ed.”. They don’t do that nowadays. When did it stop happening?
(I also want to know when they stopped writing “today” as “to-day”, but that’s another question.)
All three of the main protagonists in this ad have Wikipedia entries:
- Ed (or Ed.) “Strangler” Lewis (1891-1966) was a four-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, having started in his chosen profession at the age of 14. At the time of this match, Lewis was legally blind, having contracted trachoma; this did not appear to disqualify him from refereeing. Sadly, he died destitute, relying on his wife and acquaintances to survive.
- “Whipper” Billy Watson (1915-1990), whose real name was William Potts, wrestled professionally from 1936 to 1971; his career ended when he was hit by a car. During his lifetime, he raised millions of dollars for Easter Seals and other charities. In the last twelve years of his life, he gained 130 pounds, weighing 350 pounds when he passed away.
- Yvon Robert (1914-1971) was known as “The Lion”. He wrestled professionally from 1932 to at least 1959.
I could find nothing on Andre Vadnais, the Quebec Habitant Angel.
