The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-08-31
A MODERN SAMSON.
What an Old Missouri B0atman
Can Do.
From the New Brunswick Reporter


/ From the New Brunswick Reporter !.
Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he was
familiarly called, was born on the river
st, John, one mile above the mouth Of
| Mactaquack stream, in the year 1893
Viewed casually, Gardner gave no evi
dence of unusual power, but when strip
lped his muscular development was trci
mendous, and it is affirmed that, instead
of the ordinary, ribs,he possessed solid
bony wall on either side, and that there
was no separation whatever. He stood
five feet ten aud a half 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
a towbnat puncheon Of corn contain
| ing at least II bushels, and, swinging it
around, deposit it on the sand. In so do.
ing, 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 i
about two inches from the skids. Gard
ner told four men to sit upon it,and then
lifted it so high that the zmer jumped off
to save themselves from. the fall Mr.
McKeen 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 chair, the
chair itself and a man weighing nearly
200 pounds weight. Once, in attempt
ing to lift very heavy man, he wrench
ed the wrung entirely from the chair.
Gardner at one time,- was possessed OF
a balkv horse, with which he exercised
great patience but when patience reased
to be s. virtue he would fell him to the
ground with his cleGched fist, striking
him behind the ear.
lis related of Gardner's sister tha
on one occasion famous wrestler trav.
eled all the way from Mramichi to
Toms home in order to "try fall with
him" Tom was absent, but the sister,
looking contemptuously upon the intru-
der, declared she could throw him her
self, and suiting the action to the word,
in fair trial, threw him three times ir
succession. The strangers experience
with the sister was sufficient: he never
sought future interview with the broth
err. s.,t - t1 sllgj7B{f q 4rs1sa rsiis
The greatest feat which Gardner was
ever known to perform was on one o.
the wharves in st. John. Mr.. MGKeen
saw him lit and carry an anchor weigh
ing 1,20O pounds, numbers of other wit
nesses standing BY, some of whom arc
yet alive. Frequently he has been seer
carrying a. barrel of pork under each
arm, and once he saw him shoulder {
| barrel of pork while standing in an. or
tiinary brandy box. When. about fort,
years of age Gardner removed to TIL,
United States, and never returned to hi,
native province, .e,; (.
1t is commonly reported and believed
that he met, with a. sad adventure OF
board Mississippi steamer. A heavy
bell was on board as portion of th,
freight, and The captain, great, power
full fellow, was concerned.a as to how ht
should remove it from its place to mak'
room on deck. While captain and pas
sengers were at dinner, Tom, in the pres
ence Of the crew, to their utter amaze
ment, lifted the bell and carried it to "a,
opposite side of the boat. When tn,
captain returned he asked how it ha(
been accomplished, and,, when Gardne
laughingly remarked that he carried i
there, the former gave him the lie,and a
one word brought on another, he pres
emily struck Tom in the face. This wa!
too much, and for the first time in hi
life the strong man gave blow for.blow
but one buffet was sufficient The cap
tain never spoke asain--killed dead OF
the instant. Tom made his escape, wen
i west, and has never been heard of since
1 .Fsf