The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-20
A MODERN SAMSON.
The PrOdigiOus Feats of st. John
River New BrunsWieker.
From the New Brunswick Reporter.l

AUuS Il ChtS va a H1As
River New BrunsWicker.
From the New Brunswick Reporter.l
Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he was
familiarly called, was born on the river
St. John, one mile above the mouth of
the Mactaquack stream, in the year
1898. Viewed casually, Gardner gave
no evidence of unusual power, but when
stripped his muscular development was
tremendous, and it is affirmed that in
stead of tine ordinary ribs he possessed
solid bony wall on either side, and that
there was no separation whatever. He
stood FIVE feet ten and a half inches,
erect and full chested, and never exceed
ed one hundred and ninety pounds in
weight.
The late Charles Long informed us
that at one time he saw Gardner lift
from a towboat 4 puncheon of corn, con-
tainining at least twelve bushels, and
swinging around deposit it on the sand.
In so doing, he tore the sole off his boot.
On another occasion number of men
were trying TO lift stick of timber. In
all the crowd only one man could raise
Gardner told four men TO sit upon it,
and then lifted it so high that the men
jumped off to save themselves from the
fall Mr.. Mexican has frequently
known him in lifting TO break boom
poles six inches thick. He has known
him also with one hand to lift by the
rung of a chair, the chair itself and
man weighing nearly two hundred
weight. Once in attempting to lift
very heavy man, he wrenched the rung
entirely from the chair.
Gardner at one time was possessed of
balkv horse with which he exercised
great patience; but when patience ceased
to be a virtue he would fell him to the
ground with his clenched fist, striking
him behind the ear. 1t is related of
Gardner's sister that on one occasion a
famous wrestler travelled all the way
from Miramichi to Toms home in or
der to "try fall with him." Tom was
absent, but the sister, looking contempt
uously upon the intruder. declared she
conld throw him herself. and suiting
the action to the word, in fair trial
threw him fairly three times in success
sion. The strangers experience with
the sister was sufficient: he never sought
future interview with the brother.
The greatest feat which Gardner was
ever known TO perform was on one of the
wharves Of St. John. Mr.. Mexican saw
him lift and carry an anchor weighing
l 200 pounds, numbers of other wit
nesses standing by, some of whom are
yet alive. Frequently he has seen him
carrying a barrel of pork under each
arm, and once he saw him shoulder a
barrel of pork while standing in an or
dinary brandy box. When about forty
years of age Gardner renewed to the
United States, and never returned to his
native province.
1t is commonly reported and believed
that he met with a sad adventure on
board Mississippi steamer. A heavy
bell was on board as a portion of the
freight, and the captain, great, power
full fellow, was concerned as to how he
should remove it from its place in order
to make room on deck. While captain
and passengers were at dinner, Tom, in
presence of the crew, to their utter
amazement, lifted the bell and carried
it to the opposite side of the boat. When
the captain returned he asked how that
had been accomplished, and when
Gardner laughingly remarked that he
carried it there, the former gave him
the lie, and as one word brought on an
other, he presently struck Tom in the
face. This was too much, and for tie
first time in his life the strong man gave
blow for blow; but one buffet was sniff
cieht. The captain never spoke again
killed dead on the instant Tom made
his escape, went West, and has never
been heard of since.