The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-07-12
EMPORIA NEWS
FRIDAY. JULY II, 1878.
strong Man.

Thomas, or Tom Gardner, as he
was Familiarity called, was born on
the River st. John, one mile
above the mouth of the Macta-
quack stream, in the year 1898.
Viewed casually, Gardner gave no
evidence of unusual power, but
when stripped his muscular devel
opment was tremendous, and it
is affirmed that instead of the or
binary ribs he possessed solid
bony wall on either side, and that
there was no separation whatever.
He stood five feet ten and a half
inches, erect and full chested, and
never exceeded one hundred
and ninety pounds in weight. The
late Charles Long informed US
that at one time he saw Gardner
lift from tow-boat a puncheon of
corn containing at least twenty
bushels, and, swinging around, de-
post 1t on the sand. In doing so
he tore the sole of his boot. On
another occasion a number of men
were trying to lift stick of TIM
Der. In all the crowd only one
man could raise it about two IN
ches from the skids. Gardner told
four men to SIT upon it, and then
he lifted it 80 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
thick. He has known him, also,
with one hand, to lift by the rung
of chair, the chair itself and a
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 posses
sed of a balky horse, which he
exercised with great patience, but
when the patience ceased to be a |
virtue he would fell him to the
ground with his clenched fist, strik-
ing him behind the ear. 1t is re-
lated that of Gardner's sister that |
on one occasion a famous wrestler
travelled all the way from Miriam
ichi 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 her
self, 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 sufficient-he never
sought a future interview with
the brother. The greatest feat
which Gardner was ever known to
perform was on one of the wharfs
in st. John. Mr.. McKeen saw
him lift and carry an anchor
weighing one Thousand two hun
dred 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 a 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 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 Height, and the captain,
great powerful fellow, was con
;erned as to how he should re-
move it from its place in order to
make room on deck. While cap
ain and passengers were to din
Ter, Tom, in presence of the crew, ,
% their utter amazement, lifted
he bell and carried it to the op
,osite side of the boat. When
he captain returned he asked
low that had been accomplished,
md when Gardner laughingly re-
that he carried it there,
he 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 !
,he instant. Tom made his es-
,ape and went west, and has never
been he9rd of since.