The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-08-14
DR.. Tanners Forty Days Fast.

feat OF abstinence had been completed.
During the last ten days his sufferings were
intense, and nobody but himself has any idea
OF what torture he experienced during that
period of his remark able battle with nature
His wonderful will power sustained him to
the end, and often when it looked as though
ne would have to suecumb, by a mighty effort
his will canned the mastery over his stomach
and kept il IN submission. His worst battles
were fought within the last four or five days,
when the slightest exertion caused emesis, or
eructation OF wind from the gastric region
Toward the end he was rather irritable,
although at times, when he realized the
fortieth day was near, he would become
jocose and talkatiye. To the end he retained
all his senses, and at no time was he too weak
to indulge in tame pedestrian exercise had he
desired to. He was visited by nearly ten
thousand persons, and Their presence often
stimulated him considerably.
Fully two thousand persons visited Claren-
don hall on the last morning to see the faster,
and he received quite an ovation at their
hands. The presents, too, had been coming
IN lively all morning, and were arranged on
tables within the Enclosure in the center of the
main hall. There were seven or eight water
melons. packages of baby food, small boxe.
OF crackers, Russian milk wine, pair OF en-
broidered velvet slippers, medal in the
shape OF an immense ship cracker, with an
appropriate inscription and decorated with
red, white and blue ribbons, piece of framed
cardboard, having the following embroidered
upon it in worsted:
TASTED from June %, 1880,
awarded to DIR. Tannerl
N. Y. c.,
To August T. 1880.
BELLE SILvERBERG.
A watermelon weighing forty-six pounds
bore the following inscription: "To DR..
Tanner-For his first meal, from a Georgia
State Horticultural society, which convened at
Chamberlain's hall, Atlanta, Ca, July 80,
$780," There were also baskets of grapes,
innumerable boquets, small box OF rusty
nails, and large cucumber.
Shortly before noon of the last day the
faster was examined, and it was found that his
temperature was ninety-nine degrees, his pulse
was ninety-two to the minute and his respira-
ton seventeen. He was then resting in small
ante-room, pointing on Thirteenth street. He
held peach in his hend, and as the steam
whistles in the neighboring factories an
nounced the noon hour he delightfully."- ex-
claimed: The time is over and am glad.
Now, I'll put this away" as he prepared to
eat the peach, but it was taken from him. He
was then escorted within the inclosure ON the
floor of the main hail. where an armchair
had been placed on top OF table for him.
He stepped upon The scales which he tipped at
1914 pounds, making loss in avoirdupois OF
thirty-six pounds since the beginning OF the
fast. He was greeted with vigorous applause
by the eight or nine hundred spectators in the
ball, who crowded around the railing, and
crowd OF at leas, 1000 persons congregated
upon the sidewalk.
From this moment DIR. Tanner was
changed being. He laughed, he moved
around In his seat, he shifted his cane, hls
hand trembled for the first mouthful of food
that was to be given to him. One of the doc
tors took from the table a quart bottle of
milk, and uncorking it slowly filed lager
beer glass. The faster crossed his legs and
leaned forward to watch the operation, and
man in the audience called for /" three cheers
Tor the plucky DOCTOR" The cheers were
given, and given with painful resonance, but
DIR. Tanner never took his eyes off the glass
of milk until they were obscured by the rim as
he raised it to his lips. He made three
draughts OF the halt pint of milk and the
sympathetic audience laughed loudly and
cheerily as he said, when he handed the glass
back to his attendant, !" That's good" The
glass was filed again, but DR.. Tanner put it
away almost untasted. Then he rearranged
the crossing of his slippered feet, and an order
was given TO "cut the Georgia watermelon"
A moment aiterward DR.. Tanner leane1
back in his chair and looked helplessly at his
attendants. Then he said: al am tired out.
must have more air." DR.. Gum ordered
perfect quiet in the hall and the window space
in the south gallery, which was jammed with
people, was hastily cleared. Fans were again
brought into play and DIR. Tanner soon re-
vived enough to gaze smilingly on the richly
tinted sections OF the waterm elon that lay On
the table at his feet. First he devoured it
with his eyes and then leaning forward he
scooped out great slice from the center and
resting his forehead upon the head OF his cane
began to eat it slowly and with great relish.
He was like boy. He rolled hi. eyes around
and smacked bis lips and played with the
knife that had cut the melon as the water
melon melted in his mouth.
The reporters had been eager to catch every
word that fell from DIR. Tanners lips, and as
he did not speak loud enough to be heard five
feet away they knelt down upon the floor
near him, so that they would not obstruct the
view OF persons in the audience. DR.. Tanner
wiped his mouth alter finishing the first piece
OF melon and then said, drily:" This is the
first time ever had the newspaper reporters
kneel to me-" Then he reached for another
piece OF the melon and one of the doctors
cautioned him not TO over-indulge his appe-
lite.
Il know how to do this business" he an
swered. This is what lets up the strain
Stand one side and let me have my own way.
just as he had got good bite OF the second
piece OF watermelon his brother-in-law went
up to him and spoke to him in deprecatiDg
way. DR.. Tanner did not cry this time. He
only looked at his reative out OF the corner
of his eye and said: " Oh, m running this
thing now. Before the first thing | did WAS
to eat halt big watermelon. It's only water"
DR.. Tanner then shock his finger playiully at
DIR. Gum ana took another slice OF the melon.
This third portion seemed to a.isty his appe-
tile for the time being. He leaned back in
his chair again and nursed his cane. Then
Dr. Gum said: Ladies and gentlemen, DR..
Tanner has broken his last. He has accom-
plished his object. He is now going to leave
the hall, and l wish that you would clear a
space for him." DR.. Tanner hoped down
from his improvised throne, hurried into the
ante-room, and in few minutes-at 1880
entered DR.. Gums carriage and was driven
to DIR. Gums residence.
After his arrival at DIR. Gums residence,
DIR. Tanner slept for half an hour, then ate
another slice of watermelon, and followed
that up in a short time by demolishing half
pound OF beefsteak, which was the first sub
stantial food he had taken in forty days. In
little whle he ate two more large slices of
watermelon and an apple. At midnight be
retired, having consumed in all since breaking
his fast, pint OF milk, pound OF steak, two