Dale Pierce wrote: Spike Petersen was extremely near-sighted and wore thick glasses outside the ring.. He had continual brushes with the law for minor offenses, especially for poor driving.. Once, a judge familiar with him in traffic court told him, “If you didn’t have to pay so much in fines, you could actually save the money you make wrestling” to which the wrestler replied “Judge, you could fit the money I make wrestling into a thimble” — Spike was also known to steal coal from the Milwaukee Road railroad yards, not to keep for hismelf, but to give to impverished people in his neighborhood. He was chased off the yard and reportedly even shot at and was at least one time, arrested for tresspassing there.