The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1875-08-12
\ Strong Man.

4
was familiarly called, was born on
the river st. John, one mile above
the mouth of the Mactaquack stream,
in the year 1898. Viewed casuslly,
Gardner gave no evidence of un-
usual power, but when stripped his
muscular development was tremen-
dous, 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 what
ever He stood FIVE feet ten and a
half inches, erect and full chested,
and never exceeded 1870 pounds in
weight. The late Charles Long in
| formed us that Ht one time he saw
Gardner lift from tow-boat a pun
cheon of corn, containing at least
twelve bushels, and, swinging around
deposit it on the sand. In doing SO
he tore the sole off 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
skids. Gardner told four men to sit
upon it, and then lifted it SO high
that the men jumped oil to save
themselves from the fall. Mr.. Me-
Keen 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 a
chair, the chair itself aud man
weighing nearly 200 weight. Once
in attempting to lift very heavy
man he saw him wrench the rung
entirely from the chair. Gardner q,
one time was possessed of balky
horse. with which he exercised great
patience; hut when patience ceased
TO be virtue he would fell him to
the ground with his clenched FIST,
striking him behind the ear. II is
related of Gardner's sister that on
one occasion famous wrestler
travelled all the way from Miramichi
to Toms home in order te ''try fal
with him." Tom was absent, bu,
the sister, looking contemptuously
upon the intruder, declared she could
through him herself, and, suiting the
ac,,on 70 the word, in fair trial
threw him fairly three time in sue
cession. The strangers experience
with the sister was sufficient; he
never sought future interview with
the brother. The creates, 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 weighing l,2O0
pounds, numbers of other witnesses
standing by, some of whom are ye,
alive. Frequently he has seen him
carving barrel Of pork under each
arm, and once he saw him shoulder q
barrel Of pork while standing in an
ordinary brandy box. When abou,
forty years of age Gardner removed
to the United States, and never re-
turned to his native Province. 1t is
commonly reported and believed that
he met with sal adventure on
board a Mississippi steamer. A
heavy bell was on board as 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 room on
deck. While Captain and passen-
gers were at dinner, Tom, in presence
OF the ere Y. to their utter amazement,
lifted th. bell and carried it to the
opposite side of the boat. When the
Captain returned he asked how tha,
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 sufficient. The Captain
never spoke again, killed dead on the
instant. Tom made his escape, went
West and has never been heard oi
since.--Neuc Hrunsrick Re1,or,"r.