Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-08-01
FrOm the wOsking farmef.
Peter Francisco.
The presen, century hs, known many


The presen, century has known many
men Of extraordinary physical strength,
among whom We may cite William TbOmp'
son Of Chicago. who lately won prize Of
$50 f0r lifting no le-. weight than elOd
POUNDS Dr. win.hip, who car shoulder
alq pound barrel OF four; Prof Day, OF
Florida. once fned $500 BY the circuit court
Of Lauderdale county. tor throwing Mus
tang pony and bi. rider over a ten rail iene0'
and Thoma. Tophan. sad to be the strong
ct man in modern Ensland.
Tn. latter has performed, in pnbiic. iea,s
cvineins an almost supcrhumhn strength
such as rolling upa pewter dish Of seven
rounds as man rolls up sheet Of paper
holding pewter quart at arms lcnsth,
anu squeezing the side. together like an sss.
she'll and lifting two hundred weight with
hi, l,il, finger, aud moving 1t gently over
Ai. bead. Ga one occasion be broke rope
fastened to the door, that would sustain
twenty hundred weight, and lifted an oak
table Elk Zee; Ion: with bis teeth, though
l,lfa hundred weight was attached to IL.
n, al.o struck round bar Of iron, one inch
in diameter. against bis naked arm. AMI at
one stroke, bent IL like a bow and his head
helm. placl on one chair and his feet on
another, he beli upon hs body four heavy
men whom be heavcd a; his pleasure.
None ol these modern Sampsons, however.
l.y, earned % extended fame as that giant
ot,hc Western Hemisphere. Peter Fran:isco.
Iav.u. lived IN the stormy days Of the Rev
oiu,IJn. and performed deeds Of e1iraorti'
nary va.5r as 4 soldier. be has been looked
urJn by many as a hcro. and his name used
asa synonym fJs bodily yisoF add manly
endurance.
lie was born in Portugal, subsequently,
taken 20 ireland, and while yet boy
broush, by sea captain TO this country.
On the breaking out Si the Revolution, he
i1Ined the army and was in active service
during the whole contest.
Such was bi, strength and personal braV'
ery tha. no enemy could rssis, him. lie
welded a sword, ;he blade Of which was Eve
feet in length, as though it had been a iea'a-
or, and nearly every one who came IN con-
act with him paid the foriei; OF his lie.
At Stoncy point be was one Of the - iOT!0rn
h5re " which was advanced 20 cut away the
abatis, and. next 10 Major Gibbou, was the
frs, man 70 enter the works. A. Brandy
wine aud Monmouth he exhibited the most
fearless bravery, and nothing but bis ina
bi.ity to write prevented his Promotion to a
commission. Transferred to TO the South,
hc took past in most OF the engagements IN
that section. and more than once exhibited,
IN a s,rikin: manner, bis remarkable self
confidence aud courage.
On one occasion be defended hirnself sue
csssiuIly, by strategy aud prOwcs', agains.
nine British troopers; aud during an attack
upoL dwelling near which be was resting.
DO killed two Gssailanis, soldier and a
mounted dEagoon, who came suddenly upon
him
Francisco possessed a fnely developed
frame. lie was SIX fee, one inch in heIsh,,
and be had been known 70 shoulder readily
cannon weighing eleven hundred pounds
he could carry man Of los pounds on bis
righ, arm. and liii him up and down ~ the
ar, A. ordinary people sport with children.
lis wife was a woman oi medium size, but
be could easily bear her about the room a.
arms length. and could carry her up aud
down stairs on one arm. lie would lft a
barrel Of cider by the chimes, aud take long
tragch,s from the bun: without any sppa-
rent exer,iln bu, /, must not be Supposed
from thi, latter fca; that be was iniemper.
ate man on the contrary, be was uniVer.
sallY respected for bis absienicus and frugal
hAbiis. Although unedaeated, he was a
person Of strong natural sense, aud ola kini.
amiable dpp0siuon-it is said that h'
strength was never used 10 the injury Of any
one eIcep; for self dsiense, or for the protec.
tion Of others. lie died 70 1886. and was
buried in tue public buryins ground at
Richmond with military honor. ID.