Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-08-28
A MODERN SAMSON.
The PrOdigiOus Fcats or n
ST. John River New Rruns-
wicker.

Il
The New Brunswick Reporter says
! Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he was
Familiarity called, was born on the River
st. John, one mile above the mouth OF
tho Mactaquack stream, 10 the year
1908. Viewed casually, Gardner gave
no evidence ofuIusual power, but when
stripped his muscular development was
tremendous. and 1t is affirmed that in
stead of ordinary ribs he possessed a
solid bony wall on either side, and there
was no separation whatever. lie stood
five feet ten and half inches, erect and
fnl chested and never exceeded 100
! pounds in weight.
The late Charles Long informed us
that at one time be saw Gardner lift
from tow boat a puncheon Of corn
containing at least twelve bushels, aud
swinging around, deposit it on the sand.
In SO doing he tore the sole off his boot.
On another occasion number of men
were tugging to lift a 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 off to save themselves from the
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 ola chair, tho 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 exercised
great patience; but when patience ceased
to be virtue he would fell him to the
ground with clenched est, striking him
behind the car. II is related Of Gard
ner's sister that on one occasion fa-
nous wrestler travelled all the way
from Miramichi to Toms home in order
to "try fall with him. Tom was
absent, but the sister, looking contempt
uously npon the intruder, declared she
could throw him herself, and. suiting
the action to the word, in fair trial
threw him fairly three times in success
sion. The strangers experience with
the sister was suf1icient;he never sought
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 barrel of pork under
each arm, and once he saw him shoul- !
der 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 bis native province.
1t is commonly reported and believed |
that he met with a sad adventure on
board a 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 or
der to make more room on deck. While
captain ard passengers were at dinner,
Tom, in presence oil. thecrew, to!their utter
amazement, lifted tho bell and carried
it to the oppositeside 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
blew for blow; but one buffet was suffi-
cient. The captain never spoke again;
killed dead on the instant. Tom made
his escape, went west, and has never
been heard Of since.