Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-07-01
The Hercules Of New York.


Now York can boast Of q man far
superior in physical strength to tho
French athlete at Barnum's, who is
said to bc the strongest man in the
world. This Now Yorker 10 Mr.. Pat
rick Kclly, a liquor dealer in Front
street. l4l ,.~
A few days ago Sun reporter, who
had heard ofthe extraordinary strength
of Mr.. Kelley, visited his saloon. Tho
first thing that attracted the attention
Of the reporter on entering the place
was collection of hugo dumobells
lying on the floor in corner Of the
barr room. Tho heaviest of these bells
weighs 204 pounds. Anxious TO see
tho giant who amused himself with
sSs" "as saw NV 10 gsaStssa lie Sotisv1, now!
ever, very fino looking man, in his
shirt sleeves, conversing pleasantly
with his friends. He turned out to
bo the Kelley the reporter was look
ing for. He is about thirty years Of
age, with regular features, and well
shaped head, to which the great breadth
of his shoulders gives somewhat
small appearances popularity in the
figures Of all very strong men, and
one which has been remarked in some
famous statues. He is about FIVE feet
ten inches in height, and weighs over
200 pounds. From head to foot there
is not particle Of loose flesh about
the mans body. His arm is per-
haps moro muscular than that Of any
other man living. In thickness it
reaches the extraordinary measure
ment of III inches. The biceps and
trceps stand out in immense knots
and folds, and at the slightest move
ment of the small and solid hand, seem
actually to roll in waves under the
white skin. To take hold of that
arm produces a strange sensation. 1t
is so bard that under the sleeve of the
shirt it feels like block of wood
His legs, too, have the same extraor-
dinary muscular development. In
fact the man is all muscle.
Kelley was born in Ireland, and
came to this country several years
ago with his parents. His father
when young was also wonderfully
powerful man, and his mother is per-
haps the strongest woman in Now
York
II is not everybody who is able
even TO raise from the ground the
large dumbbell of 204 pounds. One
evening somo young fellows went into
the saloon and commenced Juggling at
it. One complained that the place
for the hand was two large, and
that consequently the weight slipped
through his fingers. Another discov-
cred that it would not come up be-
cause his hand was moist, and after
putting saw-dust on the hand he tried
again, but that bell was still mean
enough to stay on the floor. Then
another gentleman tried, and could
lift it with ease only no had q sore
wrist; and the last man of the party
could carry it to tho City Hall if he
had no pain in his back. Tho scene
amused Kelly, and as be is fond of a
joke ho called his mother and told her
to take hold of that bell and show the
gentleman that an old woman was
stronger than any of them, she at first
refused, but the son at last ooaxed her
10 take the dumbbell. She lifted it Ia
the amazcment of all the men. Then
Kelley himself took hold ofthe weight
lifted it to his shoulder with ease, and
continuing the motion, raised it over
his head and finally tossed It from one
hand TO the other.--N. " Sun.