The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-08-12
A Strong Man.


Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he was
familiarly called. was born on the River
st. John, one mile above the mouth of the
Mactaauack stream, in the year l79S.
Viewed casually, Gardner gave no evi-
dence of unusual 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 whatever. He stood feet lO3
inches, erect and full-chested, and never
ex, eeded 100 pounds in weight. The late
Charles Long informed US that at one time
he saw Gardner lift from tow-boat
puncheon of corn containing at least IL
bushels, and, swinging round, deposit IL
on the sand. In so doing he tore the sole
off his boot. On another occasion num-
Der of men were trying 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.. McKeen has frequently known
him in Ii ting 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 man weighing near
ly 200 weight. Once in attempting 70 hit
a very he4vy man he saw him wrench the
rung entirely from the chair. Gardner at
one time was possessed OF a bslky 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. 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 fall
wi h him." Tom was absent, but the
sister, looking contemptuously upon the
intruder, declared she could throw him
herself, and, suiting the action to the
word, in fair trial threw him fairly three
times in succession. The strangers ex-
perience with the sister was sufficient /; he
never sought future interview with the
brother. The greatest feat which Gard
ner was ever known to perform was on
one of the wharves in st. John. Mr.. Nc
Keep saw him lift and carry ar anchor
weighing 200 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 saw him shoulder a barrel OF
pork while standing in an ordinary brandy
| box. When about 40 years of age Gard
ner removed to the United States, and
never returned to his 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 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 the presence OF
the crew, to their utter amazement, lifted
the bell and carried it to the other 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 sutfi
cient. The Captain never spoke again
killed dead on the instant. Tom made
his escape, went West, and has never beeI
heard o. since.-Nel0 Brunswick Reporter