The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-08-26
eMisfeAarteuus.
AMODERN.SAMS0N
THE PRODIGI0US FE4TS OF a
ST JOHN RIVER NEW
q laa lBR UNSWICKER .la'.l.

Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he was
Familiarity called, was born on the rivel
st. John, one mile above the mouth OF
the Mactaquack stream, in the year l79S
Viewed casually, Gardner gave no evil
dence of unusual power, but when strip
ped his muscular development was tre'
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
Ave feet ten and a half inches, erect and
full chested, and never exceeded lSO
pounds in weight, ''
The late Charles Long has stated thatat
one time he saw Gardner lift from tow
boat puncheon Of corn containing at
least twelve bushels, and swinging around
deposited it on the sand, a., 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 it about two
inches from the skids. 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 He has been
frequently known in lifting to break
boom poles six inches thick He has
been known also with one hand to lift,
by the rung of the chair, the chair itself
and a man weighing nearly 200 weight.
Once in attempting to lift a very heavy
man he wrenched the rung from the
chair.
Gardner at one time was possessed of a
balky horse with which he exercised
great patience; but when patience ceased
10 be a virtue, he would fell him to the
ground with his clenched fist, striking
him behind the ear.
It is related of Gardner's sister, that at
one time famous wrestler travelled all
the way from Miramichi to Toms home,
in order to 'try fall with him." Tom was
absent but his sister, looking contemptu-
ously on the intruder, declared she could
throw him herself, and suiting the action
to the word, in fair trial threw him fair
ly three times in succession. The stran-
GERS experience with the sister was sutii-
cent; he never sought future interview
with the brother.
The greatest 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 anchor weighing
1900 pounds, numbers of other witnesses
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 barrel Of pork
while standing in an ordinary brandy
box. When about 40 years age Gardner
removed 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 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 more room on deck. while
captain and PASSENGERS were at dinner
Tom, in the presence ofthe crew, to theil
utter amazement lifted the bell and car
ried 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
had 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 the first timC
inshis life, the strong man gave blow fol
blow; but one buffet was sufficient. The
captain never spoke again, killed deaC
Oh the instant. Tom made his escape
went west; and has never been heard o
since.