Photos, Posters, Wrestling Memorabilia. Updated 02/14/98

If you were a professional wrestling fan in the late 30's or 40's, you might remember seeing a wrestler hop in the ring with a boa constrictor wrapped around his neck. With full beard and tousled hair pushed back from his forehead, he was known as the fearsome "Otto Lugger". The highlight of his career was his match in Mexico City as advertised in the poster below.

This clipping from a Mexico City newspaper in 1939 shows Barney Lobsinger (a.k.a. Otto Lugger) before his big match with Bobby Arreola for the Middleweight Championship.

 Otto Lugger was born Barney Lobsinger, son of Francis Lobsinger, grandson of Louis Lobsinger, and great grandson of Count Joseph Lobsinger. He is one of 5 children , two boys and two girls born in Hanover, Ontario Canada. They were raised in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Barney was a professional wrestler for over 25 years. He started at the age of 16, and won the Milwaukee, Wisconsin wrestling tournament for the 158 pound class. He travelled endlessly throughout Canada, the U.S.A. and Mexico. It was during the depression when money was so scarce, that at times it cost him more in travelling expenses than what he would make at a fair or carnival. Back then they were paid on a commission basis. At the Carnivals and Fairs they would draw crowds in and offer $10.00 to the person who could last more than 10 minutes with one of the wrestlers. He would often box to make extra money and got beat up more than once.

Barney also met Gorgeous George in the ring. But GG did not last long in the ring with Barney. Barney has repeated this story many times, and always brings a chuckle to his family. The day of the match, Barney brought along his partner in the ring (his boa constrictor). Gorgeous George saw the box in the ring and warned Barney not to get the snake anywhere near him as he was petrified of snakes. Well, with a glint in his eye, Barney proceeded to his corner took out his snake, walked behind Gorgeous George and wrapped the snake around his neck. Gorgeous George leaped so high out of the ring, he cleared the first two rows. (Barney grabbed the snake back just in time). Well this little escapade cost him dearly. He was banned from Eugene, Oregon for life.

Fight against George Hackenschmidt. The column read: Hassler Hackenschmidt had a hair-line edge at this stage of his match with the bearded Luger at Riverview roller rink last night - which seems to prove that "straight" wrestling isn't coming back as fast as was expected. Hackenschmidt had started to give Luger an airplane spin, but Otto's chin adornment proved too tempting to resist. Wouldn't it a been funny if someone had thrown Otto a fish about this time? Internationl News photo by Wisconsin News sports photographer.

Barney also spent some time as a referee, meeting such greats as Jack Dempsey and Tom Sharkey. He wrestled regularily at the "Old Windsor Market", in Windsor, Ontario. (Which was demolished this year to make room for the new Casino) This photo was taken in 1939 during the time he fought under the name of "Otto Lugger"

 An article written in the "Hanover Post" newspaper February 27th, 1939 proudly bragging about their two famous wrestlers from the Hanover area

 

Barney was featured on a CBC Radio Interview on November 28th, 1997. He will also be seen on Shaw Cable in January /1998 where he will talk about his career, his interests with computers and how he has benifitted from "In-Home" Computer Training.

***** A note from his Computer Tutor***

Barney is a very interesting gentleman. He has lead a very interesting life. As well as going for the World Championship for Wrestling, he taught himself how to build, and went on to build his own house, chicken farm, and dog kennels. He also fought off some "would be" chicken thieves and the story hit the local news. He loves to play checkers, and can be found down by the Detroit River in the summer, looking for a challenging player.

He tells stories of his family, of which he is very proud. He had an uncle that could spell as fast backwards as he could forward. He also talks about the famous Lobsinger's who invented the LOBSINGER THRESHING MACHINE, which is now housed in a museum in Midland, Ontario. He spoke of the time that he was bedridden for seven months, unable to move because of back problems. And of the time that he bought a peach orchard with over 500 trees, and the day he went to harvest them, a huge hail storm came along and destroyed every tree. Trucks came in and shovelled them up, and people from all over came with baskets and picked them up. He was very happily married for over 50 years to his first wife Marion.. He married his second wife Florence, five years ago and lives in Windsor, Ontario.

He wants to share his stories , and hopes that you will sign his guestbook to let him know you dropped by.n

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