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


Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he was
familiarly called, was born on the
river st. John, one mile abvve 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 he possessed a solid bony wall on
either side, and that there was no sep
aration whatever. He stood five feet
ten and a 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 Gardper lift
from towboat a puncheon of corn,
containing at least twelve bushels, and
swinging around deposit it on the sand.
In 80 doing, he tore the sole of 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 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 he 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 famous wrestler
travelled all the way from Miramichi
to Toms home in order to "try a 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 a flu
ture interview with the brother.
The greatest feat which Gardner
was ever known to perform vas 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. Ere
quently he has seen him carrying q
, barrel Of pork under each arm, and
once he saw him shoulder barrel of
, pork while standing in an ordinary
brandy box. When about forty years
of age Gardner removed to the United
States, and never returned to his ma
tive province.
1t is commonly reported and believ-
e ed that he met with a sad adventure
' on board Mississippi steamer. A
q heavy bell was on board as a portion
a Of the freight, and the captain, great,
9 powerful fellow, was concerned as to
y how be should remove it from its place
t in order TO make room on deck. While
e captain and passengers were at dinner,
Tom, in the presence Of the crew, to
1 their utter Amazement, lifted the bell
8 and carried it to the opposite side Of
g the boat. When the captain returned
]. he asked how that had been accom-
J. plished, and wheR Gardner laughing
d " remarked that he carried ii there, the
$ former gave him the lie, and as one
word brought on another, he presently
!. struck Tom in the face. This was too
e much, and for the first time in his life
}, the strong man gave blow for blow
C but one buffet was sufficient. The cap
= tain never spoke again, killed dead on
|, the instant. Tom made his escape,
went West, and has never been heard
4 of since. .--NelO Brunswick Reporter.