The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-09-03
A MODERN SAMSON.
The Prodtgious Feats of a 81. John RiUer Ne,o
Brunstoicker.
From the New Brunswick Reporter.

-Brunst0icEer.
From the New Brunswick Reporter.
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, Gardner gave no evi-
dence of unusual power, but when strip
ped his muscular development was tre-
mendous, and it is affirmed that instead
] of the ordinary ribs he possessed a 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 exceeded 100
pounds in weight.
The late Charles Long informed us
| that at one time he saw Gardner 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 off his boot.
On another occasion a number of men
were trying to lift stick of timber. In
| all the crowd only one man could raise
1t above two inches from the skids,
Gardner told four men to sit upon it,
and then lifted it SO high that the men
jumped off to save themselves from the
fall. Mr.. McKeen has frequently known
him in lifting to break boom poles six
inches thich. He has known him also
with one hand to lift, by the rung of
chair, the chair itself and man weigh.
ing nearly 200 weight. Once in attempt
ing 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 exercised
great patience but when patience
ceased to be virtue he would fell him
to the ground with his clenched fist,
striking him behind the ear. It is re-
lated of Gardeners sister that on one
occasion 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 con-
temptuously upon the intruder, declared
she could throw him herself, and, suit
ing the action to the word, in fair trial
threw him fairly three times in success
sion. The strangers experience with
the sister was sufficient; be never sought
a future interview 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 an anchor weigh
ing 1900 pounds, numbers of other
witnesses standing by, some of whom
are yet alive. Frequently he has seen
him carrying a barrel of pork under
each arm, and once he saw him shoulder
barrel of pork while standing in an
ordinary brandy box. When about 40
years of age Gardner removed to the
United States, and never returned to
his native province.
1t is commonly reported and believed
that he met with sad adventure on
board Mississippi steamer. A heavy
bell was on board as portion of the
freight, and the captain, great, power
full 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 it 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 on |
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 suf-
fcient. The captain never spoke again,
killed dead on the instant. Tom made |
his escape, went west, and has never
been heard of since.