The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-10-27
Some Strong Men.

In 1871 Monsieur Gregorie," claim
ing to be II years old, nightly aston
ished the good folks of Hereford by car
rying 7O6.weight with the greatest of
ease, and by performing certain other
extraordinary feats. For all that, he was
one of the quietest of men, and simple
as II child, living in constant dread lest
he should be provoked into using his
strength professionally. and afraid to
nurse his own baby lest he should give
it fatal squeeze.
Joseph Paspischilli was wont to amuse
the Hungarian public by holding table
in the air by his hands and teeth, while
a couple OF Gypsies danced upon it to a
thirds fddling. He and one OF his
brothers would bear upon their shout.
ders sort of wooden bridge, while a
cart full of stones, drawn by two horses,
was driven over it. Falling into evil
ways, Joseph was imprisoned in the
fortress of Ofen, and one day volunteered
to give the prison inspectors a specimen
Of his abilities, and, permission being
accorded, lie so arranged the Governors
heavy mahogany table as to hold it sus-
pended with his teeth for nearly half
minute.
Joignery, French professional aero
bat, lately performing ut n Berlin thea
ter, executed the following extraordinary
feat: As he swung head downward from
a trapeze, to which his ankles were fixed.
horse covered with gay trappings, and
begirt with broad leathern surcingle
having two strong loops attached to it,
and mounted by full grown man, was
brought on the central stage, above
which Joignery hung suspended. Selling
the loops with his hands, the French
man, by sheer muscular strength, lifted
horse and rider some inches off the stage,
sustained their combined weight in the
air for some seconds, and then let them
down again as evenly and slowly as he
had raised them.
Mr.. Stanley tells us that Simba, chief
overseer of Anu bin Osmans caravan,
standing six feet five inches barefooted,
and measuring thirty-two inches from
shoulder to shoulder, could toss an ordi-
nary sized man ten feet into the air, and
catch him in his descent. He would take
one of the large white Muscat donkeys
by the ears, and with a sudden move
ment Of his right foot, lay the surprised
ass on its back; carry three-year old
bullock on his back halfway round his
masters plantation; and once actually
bore twelve men on his back, shoulders
and chest, round Osman's house, to the
intense wonder of a large crowd OF mp
plauding spectators.
A man of great strength was William
Joy, known in his day as 1.-THE English
Samson" He was a native of Kent,
having been born near Ramsgate in 1873.
From an early period of his life, 10 dis
played remarkable strength and dexter.
ity for his years; and when "a years of
age he began publicly to exhibit his as
tonishing feats. Among other of joys
performances, he is said to have been
able to retain and keep in place a strong
horse, urged by whip to escape his pow
erful rein, solely by the check of his
pull, without any stay or support what
ever. Aided by strong leathern girdle
or belt, and supporting himself by press
ing his arms on railing he could lift
from the ground o stone said to be ton
weight. He also broke .assunder a rope
fastened to wall, which had previously
borne more than a ton and half weight.
Notwithstanding his great strength he
was possessed OF singularly agile and
flexible joints, many wonderful stories
being told of his feats in this respect,
such as placing glass of wine on the
sole of his foot which he could twist
round with his hands, and conveying the
glass in this way to his mouth without
c~;l1.pn