The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-09-01
a MODERN SAMSON.

MODEltN SAntSON.
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, Gard
ner gave no evidence Of unusual pow
er, but when stripped his muscular de.
velopment was tremendous, and it is
affirmed that instead of the ordinary
ribs be possessed solid bony wall on
either side, and that there was no sep
aration whatever. He stood five feet
ten and half inches, erect and full
cbested, and never exceeded one hun
dred and ninety pounds in weight.
The late Charles Long informed US
that at one time he, saw GardDer lift
from towboat a puncheon Of corn,
containing at least twelve bushels, and
swinging around deposit it on the sand.
In SO doing, he tore the sole of his
boot. On another occasion number
of men were trying to lift a stick of
timber. In all the crowd only one
man could raise it about two inches
from the ground. Gardner told four
men to sit upon it, and then lifted it
so high that the men jumped off to
save themselves from tho 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 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 balky horse with which he exer.
cised great patience; but when pa
thence ceased to be virtue lie would
fell him to the ground with his clench-
ed 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 order to "try fall
with him." Tom was absent, but the
sister, looking contemptuuusly upon
the intruder. declared she could throw
him herself, and suiting the action to
the word, in a fair trial threw him
fairly three times in succession. The
strangers experience with the sister
was sufficient; he never sought flu
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..
Mexican saw him lift and carry an
anchor weighing 1900 pounds, num-
! bers of other witnesses standing by,
some of whom are yet alive. Free
Q quently he has seen him carrying n
}, barrel Of pork under each arm, and
: once he saw him shoulder barrel of
:, pork while standing in an ordinary
i brandy box. When about forty years
of age Gardner removed to the United
h States, and never returned to his na'
/ tive province.
d 1t is commonly reported and believ-
Q ed that he met with sad adventure
" on board Mississippi steamer. A
n heavy bell was on board as a portion
N of the freight, and the captain, a great
70 powerful fellow, was concerned as tC
y how be should remove it from its place
II in order to make room on dock. While
'e captain and passengers were at dinner
Tom, in the presence Of the crew, e
n their utter amazement, lifted the bel
as and carried it to the opposite side o
~ the boat. When the captain returned
IS. he asked how that had been accom-
g. plished, and when Gardner laughing
"a iy remarked that he carried it there, ,thi
is former gave him the lie. and as ont
ID word brought on another, he presently
h. struck Tom in the face. This was too
he much, and for the first time in his lif'
%, the strong man gave blow for blow
ic but one buffet was sufficient. The cap
r. tain never spoke again, killed dead oil
d, the instant. Tom made his escape
went West, and has never been hear'
al of since. --NeU BrsinstOick Reporter.