Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-19
A MODERN SAMSON.


lisry 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, aud it is affirmed that instead
Of the ordinary ribs be possessed solid bony
wall on either side, and that there was nc sep
aration whatever. He stood five feet ten
and ahalf inches, erect aud tull-chested, aud
never exceeded 100 pounds n weight.
The late Charles Long Informed the writer
that at one time he saw Gardner lift from q
tow-boat punoheon of corr, containing at
least twelve bushels, and swinging around, de-
posit it on the sand ln 80 doing be tore the
sole of his boot On another occasion num-
Der Of men we're 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 80
high that the men jumped off to save them
selves from the fall. Mr.. Kean has frequently
known him 10 lifting to break boom poles six
inches thick He has known him also with
one hand to lift, by the rung of chair, the
hundred weight. Oace 10 attempting TO lift
very heavy man he wrenched the ruog entirely
from the chair.
GardDer at one time was possessed of balky
horse with whicn he exercised great ps,ieuce;
but when patience ceased to be virtue he would
fell him TO theground with his clenched fist, ,strik
ing him behind the ear. 1t is related of Gard
Der's sister that no one occasion famous
wrestler travelled all the way from Miramicbl TO
Toms home 10 order 10 TRY fall with him. -
Tom was absent, but the sister looked contemp-
tuously upon the intruder, declared she could
throw him herself, and, suiliug the action to the
word in fair trial threw him fairly three times
10 succession. The strangers experience with
the sister was sufficient; be never sought fu-
ture interview with the brother.
The greatest feat which Gardner was ever
known to perform was on one of the wharves of
St. John. Mr.. Mckeon saw him lift aud carry
an anchor Weighing ! 200 pounds, numbers IF
other witnesses standing by, some of whom are
yet alive. Frequently he has seen him carry.
ing barrel OF pork under each arm, and once
be saw him shoulder a barrel of pork while
standing in an ordinary brandy box When
about 40 years OF age Gardner removed to the
United States, aud Dever returned to his native
province.
1t is commonly reported and believed that be
met with sad adventure on board Missis.
sippi steamer. A heavy bell was on board as
q portion of the freight, and the captain, a
great powerful fellow. was concerned as to how
he should remove it from its place In order 10
make more room on deck. While captain and
passengers were at dinner. Tom, in presence of
the crew, to their utter amas ment, lifted the
toll and crrried it to the opposite side of the
boat. When the captain returned he asked
how that had been accomplished, and when
Gardner, laughing, remarked that be carried it
there the former gave him the lie; and as one
word brought on another be presently struck
Tom 10 the face. This was two much, and for
the first time 10 his life the strong man gave
blow for blow; but one buffer was sufficient.
The captain never spoke again; killed dead on
the instant. Tom made bis escape, went w est
aRd has never been heard of since.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE FELINE ORDER
Cats do very we'll to get along with until tha
git to certain size; then tina are only fit to
fling things at. Luv oeems to affect them the
saim wa that colick does over baby. They ain't
neer 80 soft abowt it as sister Jen an her clerk
feller. Them too air too mulch. Cats don't
lay in l anuther's lap an look like caf Tha
maik moar noise abowt it in mint than Jen
an that teller duz til haf past in the morun.
If luv must be think the cats way amt kwite
30 sickenin, tho awl kinds is bad enuff.
Cats are good things to be in the saim room
wen yu mock sumthin opn an break it, or eat
sumthin tha amt savin for yu, coz cats air dunn
brootes 40 can't deny it Watts the use havin
em arownd onless tba can bare SUN of the do
mestik difficulties ? Ths hav got to do it in a
family ware 1ue sojourDin.
Ii yu rub cat up the bak 10 dark room il
will electrict. This is good thing to get sum
boy to do wich has cum to sta aw nite. Wen
hav sum tuo like that kind l like to divide
moast awl nv it with my little plamates.
At H.
wareever she gose. Uncle Ellick sails this is be-
her coartin daze, but he dassant So it to her face.
She is to owr house this summer Ma rit to her
that the kolery an small poks wus ragin here
but she cum enuywsy and brot the cat. It is
gra cat with blak spot awl over it cept little
on it's tale an feet. don't like ant Hester cos
she allus tawks to ME about Moses an Josef wen
want TO slip an 60 hshin, so git even on the
cat.
Onst killed mowse an stuck it awl full Nv
pins an throde it out quick befoar old Sipio
wich is bis name an it grobbed it like sudden
an if ever you Gee ennything claw an boiler it
wuz him. Then ant Hester she sDatched the
mowse ava sn got awl stuck in her fogers an
she skreemed an the foxes cum plein in, an
dad carried the mowse out oo q shuveI an then
cum an looked fur me. He fowued me. 1t
didn't do no good to tell him that expek the
mowse had ct pin cushin. He maiks hisself
too disagreesble for grone man.
Anuther time TUX the cats tale an put q
reel tite close pin Oh it, which maid him iumn
like kangsru. Dad sed ware is that Sammy,
an tbare wuz. / tole him that see that cat
swawkin on the close line, an bet she cot her
tale aksidentaiy betvene the pin. It don {
ceem to maik enny ,deffsrsnts whether tell a
lie or oau up. / git walluped ennyws. line
only Luttin oph bein . James boy ontil the
baby gifts big enuff to 60 along an maik two NV
OF u.s. then look owt
Forth ov Jooly dun the offulest trik with
old Sip. shut him up in boks an throo in 8
ountch Nv fire krekers wich wuz lit ap goiD
1t wuz tuo enuff for 6 boys Nv my size, an
50 sat on the 6oks to hold the lid down an lafi
like crowded howse. dident kno there wuz
sum shavins 10 the boks. Also | dident kno
thare WIZ a hia krak In the Lid Tho 6.a anu,