The crowd screamed and screwed their eyes into the two men before them. Armlocks. Toeholds. Body Scissors. A bruised and bloodied form of entertainment, these shows cost hardworking men of gentler careers 25 cents for general admission and three dollars for ringside seats. The fight is called. Pierre “Peter” Goulet becomes Welterweight Champion of New England. It’s Jan. 22, 1913.

Goulet was born in Quebec, Canada — in 1883 or 1888 depending on what records one is consulting — and dabbled in trades concerning truck driving and cotton mills while regularly entering public rings as a professional wrestler. Goulet resided on Sixth Avenue in Woonsocket with his wife, Marie Agnes Boivin. His career in entertainment was managed by Paul Forbes Bowser of Boston, one of the most sought-after wrestling promoters in New England.

One of Goulet’s most brutal fights took place in 1911 while he was in the ring with Boston’s Frank “The Bear Cat” West. Exhibiting very poor showmanship, West issued several elbow jabs and engaged in eye-poking and biting his opponent. The experience didn’t deter the young Goulet who was determined to become a champion. Known as one of the most clever and aggressive fighters in New England, he had a style all his own and was said to slip from an-other man’s hold with the ease of an eel.

Not long after winning the New England welterweight title, Goulet defeated wrestler Billy Mitchell. The following year he was scheduled to wrestle Jack Connors but had to bow out after he strained a ligament in his leg. In 1916, he defeated Tommy Papas and, in 1917, bested Joe Willis of Boston. Goulet’s fans were devoted, following him around New England from one ring to the next.

On Aug. 8, 1937, Goulet was attending an outing of the Fairmount Oldtimer’s association taking place at the Modoc Club in Warwick. He had enjoyed a filling meal before the entertainment got physical. It was believed that the summer heat along with the strenuous exercise so soon after filling himself up was to blame when he suddenly lost consciousness. Efforts were made to revive Goulet but they were fruitless. Rescue squads from Oakland Beach and Conimicut did all they could to bring life back into the middle-aged wrestler to no avail. The medical examiner soon arrived and pronounced him dead. The cause of death would later be announced as a heart attack.

Goulet was removed to Stinson funeral home in Conimicut. The next day, his body was returned to his home in Woonsocket for the final arrangements before he was buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester.

During the funeral, an idea was put out for approval and reached a successful conclusion. It was thereby announced that on Aug. 13, a ‘Fairmount Smoker’ would be held — an event hosted by the Fairmount Oldtimer’s with proceeds to benefit Goulet’s widow and daughter Viola following this tragic and unexpected loss. The event, which began at 8 in the evening and featured a full line-up of boxing and wrestling matches by fighters volunteering their time, was set up in Dunn Park. The Woonsocket Fire Department lent floodlights which were positioned over the ring that had been situated in the baseball diamond.

Tickets to attend the event were 50 cents each and it was estimated that $175 was raised for the wife and child that Goulet left behind.

Kelly Sullivan is a Rhode Island columnist, lecturer and author.