Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-05-21

A MAN WHO WOULD HAVE THROWN
SAMPSON OVER HIS Observation-Disclosures
Henri Joignerey, the French Hercules, arrived
In the Adriatic, under an engagement to per
form Ia Barnun's Hippodrome, the opening Of
which 10 annonnced for the 10Th inst. Joig-
nerey's name Is known throughout Europe, and
his exhibitions of strength have been applauded
IN all the principal cities OF the continent. He
was born in Paris in 1886. His father, a whole
sale fptiit dealer, intcn"ed that he should be his
successor in business; but young Joignerey
iel In love with o. beautiful young country.
woman, and thought no more about his duties
TO his fathers stores Then there was trouble
between father and SON. - -. -. ID
The boy disappeared, and was not for a long
time heard Of but his early companions, who
knew of his wonderful feats in the gymnasium,
| were not surprised, when in 1862, he turned up
| in the Cirque Napoleon as a performer whose
name headed the list. For several years his
=, name was big card in this place. He visited
Madrid, ST. Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, and
other European cities, and often appeared in
| the presence of nobility, from which he received
| elegant presents. In the Grand Circus in Ber-
| Lin he was honored with an ovation Return
| ing to Paris he was for season in the Foliies
| Of Bergere. He eclpsel all o,her performers
IN the exhibition of his strength, and was dub
bed the French Hercules. The great Snowman
Barnum soon discovered him, and engaged him
fer the nippodrome.
A"SuD" reporter, expecting to see q giant
when lie Went to MIR. 5. IL. uurd's offica, In he
| Hippodroma, to meet Joignciey, saw instead
\ a modest, uiassulning, compactly built man,
scarcely over five feet six inches III height, and
| weighing about $50 pounds. lie is of light
complexion, aud has pleasant address. His
hair Is brown and thin, and his mustache is
kept artistically waxed. He carried light
cane, and acted like a wellto-do Frenchman
seeking pleasure. No one at a glance would
suppose that he has the strength he is credited
with. be was pleased to see the reporter, aud
said that he was delighted with America. The
| reporter with both hands could not ehcircle the
largest part of his aru; the flesh was as solid as
MARBLE and the gymnast laughed when the re-
porter vaiuly trie pinch his legs. Joignerey
will perform ftats never before attempted by
any other athlete. lie will hang from trape re
by his feet. and with straps around the bodies
OF two horses, raise III, animals from the
ground.
"You mean ponies, dout yon - asked thu
reporter
J mo, no." answered .loignerey "horses, say
l,500 pounds each. In Moscow they gave me
such heavy hois SEES that the muscles of my arms
heightened by lifting them. | will raise one
} | horse with my teeth" Here Hercules opened
his mouth, and laughingy called attention to
} his fine, white, but not very large, teeth. lie
r continued 81 will hang from the trApeze aud
lift two men with my teeth, or will lift siS
men with my hands,
The reporter saw the drmb-bells which Joig
l mercy uses. One weighs 275 pounds, and one
325. Hercules lifted one and then the othe
7 seemingly with ease. On the 2T5 FOUNDER h,
Q will bear a full grown man. Hanging from tn,
trapez, he can, he says, hold ball weighing
t 800 pounds by means Of a strap in his teeth
, and at the same time have ball of the sam,
: weight Ia each hand.-Neic York Paper.