The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-08-21
A STRONG MAN.
Tom Gardner, the New Brunswick Giant
Some of his Extraordinary Feats.
from the ST. John IN. b. Reporter

some OF MS EXTRAORDINARY FeatS,
From the ST. John IN. b. Reporter
Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he was famil
larly called, was born on the river ST. John
one mile above the mouth of The Mactaquacb
stream, in the year 1898. Viewed casually
Gardner gave no evidence of unusual power
but when stripped his muscular develope
ment was tremendous, and it Is affirmed thai
instead of the ordinary ribs he possessed
solid bony wall or either side, and that there
was no separation whatever. He stood fee
| 101a inches erect and fUll.chested, and never
exceeded 100 pounds In weight. The late
Charles Long informed us that at one time
he saw Gardner lift from tow-hoat pun
cheon Of corn containing at least 12 bushels
and, swinging round, deposit it on the sand
In so doing he tore the sole off his boot On
another occasion number of men were try
ing 10 lift stick Of timber. In all the crowd
Only one man could raise 1t 2 inches from the
shids. Gardner told four men to sit upon it.
and then lifted it so high that the men jump
ed oil to save themselves from the fall. Mr.
NcKeen has frequently known him in lift
ing TO break boom.poles inches thick. lie
has known him also with one hand to lift, by
the rung of a chair, the chair itselfa and man
weighing nearly 200 weight. Once IN at.
tempting to lift Il very heavy man he saw him
wrench the rung entirely from the chair
Gardner at one time was possessed of baiky
horse, with which he exercised great patience
but when patience ceased to be q virtue, he
would fell him to the grouRI with his
clenched fist, striking him behind the ear
1t is related of Gardeners sister that on enc
occasion famous wrestler Travelled all the
way from Miramichi to Tom home in order
to try fall with him." Tom was absent
but the sister, looking conemptuously upon
the intruder, declared she could throw him
herself, and suiting ,he action to the word,
in fair trial threw him fairly three times IN
succession The strangers experience with
the sister was sufficient; ne never sought a
future interview with the brother. The great.
est feat which Gardner was ever known to
perform was on one of the wharves in St John.
Mr.. Mckeen saw him lift and carry an an
Choir weighing 1900 poun6s, numbers of 9th
er witnesses standing by, sOme of whom are
yet alive. Frequently he Las seen him car.
rying a barrel of pork under each arm, and
once saw him shoulder barrel OF pork while
standing in an ordinary brandy box, When
about 40 years of age Gardner removed to the
United States and never returned to his native
province. 1t is commonly reported and be
lieved that he met with n sad adventure on
board Mississippi steamer. A heavy bell
was on board rs II portion ct the freight, and
the Captain, great, powerful fellow, was con-
cerned as TO how he should remove it from
its place in order to make more room on deck.
While the Captain and passengers were at
dinner, Tom, in presence OF the crew, TO their
utter amazement, lifted the bell and carried
il to the opposite side of the boat. When the
Captain returned he asked now that had been
accomplished, and when Gardner laughing
ly remarked that he carriedit there, the form
er gave him the lie, and as one word brought
on another, he presently struck Tom In the
face. This was too much, and for the first
time in his life the strong nan gave blow for
blow but one buffet was sufficient. The
Captain never spoke again, being killed dead
on the instant. Tom made his escape, went
West, and has never been heard of since.