Western Times, ‘Greatest of living wrestlers’ (27 Feb 1866)

The eyes of all classes of politicians are now on the pretty town of Tiverton, but we believe it is not generally known that there is now residing among us the greatest of living wrestlers.

We allude to that respectable old yeoman, Mr. William Wreford, who may be truly said to be the hero of a hundred contests in the wrestling ring. The admirers of this most manly and ancient sport will be glad to hear that Mr. Wreford, though several years above seventy, still carries his manly figure erect, and has the most retentive memory.

Mr. Wreford suddenly shot up to the height of fame by throwing the terrible Jordan at a great contest at Crediton, in 1812, when he was but nineteen years of age, and his huge opponent was in the prime of life. Mr. Wreford is a noble specimen, both as regards personal strength and social qualities of the good old English yeoman.