The daily gazette., 1875-08-27
A MODERN SANSGM

The New Brunswick Reporter saws
Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he wae
Iamiliarly called, was born on the river
ot' John, one mile above the mouth of
MIactaquack stream, in the wear 1893
viewed casually, Gardner gave no eyi-
oence OF unusual power but when
stripped his muscular DEVELOPMENT wac
tremendous, and it is affirmed that in.
stead OF the ordinary ribs, he possessed
solid bony wall on either side and
that there was no separation whatever
He stood five feet ten and half inches
erect and full-chested, and never er'
ceeded $50 pounds in weight
The late Charles Long Informed II.
that at one time he saw Gardner lift
from toTboat q puncheon OF corn
containing at least twelve bushels, ana
swinging around, deposit it on the
SAND. In 50 doing he tore the sole Of
Ms poot' TN another occasion num-
per or men wero trying 10 lift a stick
Oh timoer In all the crowd only one
man could raise it about two inches
from the skida. Gardner told four meu
70 eit upon 1t, and then lifted it 50 high
that the men jumped of to save them.
selves from the fall, Mr., McKeen has
frequently known him IN lifting to
break boom poles nix inches thick, Be
has known him also with one hand 10
hit By the ruug Of & chair, the chair
l!sel1 and a man Weighing nearly two
n1nd1ed weight once, in ATTEMPTING
70 hit very heavy man, he wrenched
the ring entirely from the chair.
1t ia related Of Gardner's sister that
on on one occasion q famous wrestler
Travelled all the way from Miramichj
TO Toms home in order to try q fail
With him. Tom was absent, but the
sister, locking contenptuously upon
the intruder, declared she could throw
him heraelf and suitinE the action to
the word, il fair trial, threw hin
fairly three times in succession The
strangers experience with tic sister
wa3 sufficient; he never sought 3 III
ture interview with the trother
The greatest feat which Gardner Va
ever known 10 perform was on one o.
the Tharve5 in It. John Mr., McKcen
saw him lift and'carry 81 anchor 1e!zh
ing 1900 pounds, numbers of other wit
nesses standing by, some OF whom are
yet alive. Frequently he has been seen
carrying barrel of pork under each
arm, and once he saw him shoulder q
barrel OF pork while standing ia an or
dinary brandy box. When about 40
years Of age Gardner removed to the
[ nited States, and never returned TO
his native proviHcc.
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, a great, DOW
erful fellow, was concerned as 10 how
be should remove it from its place in
order to make room on deck While
captain and passengers were at DINER
Tom, in the presence of the crew, to
heir utter amazement, lifted the bell
Ind carried II TO the opposite side OF
he boat When the captain returned
le asked how it had been accomplish
ID, and when Gardner laughingiy re.
marked that he carried it there, the
'ormer gave him the lie, and as one
word brought on another, he presently
truck Tom in the face. This was TOO
much, and for the first time In his life
he strong man gave blow for blow:
,ut one buffet was sufficient. The
aptain never spoke again, killed dead
N the instant. Tom made his escape.
vent west, and has never been heard
# since