The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1875-08-14
a Strong Wan.
New Brunswick Rep)rter.l


Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he Wa
Familiarity called, was born 81 the
River st. John, one mile above the
mouth of the Mactaquack stream, in
the year l79S. Viewed casually, Gard
ner gave n?evidence of unusual power,
but when stripped his muscular devel-
opment was tremendous, and 1t Is
affirmed that instead of the ordinary
ribs, he possessed solid bony wall on
either size, and that there was no sep
aration whatever. He stood five feet
| ten and half inches, erect and full
chested, and never exceeded one hun
dred and ninety pounds in weight.
The late Charles Long informed us
that at one time he saw Gardner lit
from tow-boat puncheon of com,
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 life n stick Of
limbc. 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 of to save them
selves from the fall. Mr.. Mclkeen 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, the chair
itself and Il man weighing nearly two
hundred weight. Once in attempting
to lift very heavy man he saw him
wrench the rung entirely from the
chair. Gardner at one time was pos
sesseh of balky horse, with which lie
exercised great patience; but when pa.
thence ceased to be II virtue he would
fell him to the ground with his clench-
ed fist, striking him behind the ear.
IL is related of Gardner's sister that
on one occasion famous wrestler trav-
eled all the way from Miramichi to
Toms home in order to "try u
fall with him." Tom was absent,
but the sister, looking conte npt-
uously upon the lhtruuer'
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 suffi-
cient he never sought future inter-
view with the brother. The greatest
feat which Gardner was ever Known
to perform was on one of the wharves
in st. John. Mr.. Mexican saw him
lift and carry and anchor weighing
|, 200 younds, numbers of other wit
nesses standing by, some ofwhom are
yet alive. Frequently he has seen him
carrying barrel of pork under each
arm, and once he saw him shoulder
barrel of pork while standing in an or.
binary brandy box. When about forty
years of age Gardner removed TO the
United States, and never returned to his
native Province. 1t is commonly re-
ported and believed that he met with
a sad adventure Oh board Mississippi
steamer. A heavy bell was on board
as a 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 to make more
room on deck. While Captain and
passengers were at dinner, Tom, in
presence of the crew, to their utter
amazement, lifted the bell and carried
il 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 carried it there, the former
gave him the lie, and as one word
brought OH another, he presently
struck Tom in the face. This was too
much, and for the first time In his life
the strong man gave blow for blow
but one buffet was sufficient. The
Captain never spoke again, killed dead
on the instant. Tom made his escape,
went west, aud has never been heard
IF pfpaa