Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-03-16
THE STORY OF A GIANT.
ny CHARLES v. ADAMS.

sketch published in a Michigan journal
many years ago, tends to show that,
notwithstanding the almost universal
desire for unusual gifts, it is, after all,
the dead level which Is safest, since
even physical strength and noble pro-
portions, when in excess, may so
ostraeize and SGT apart man as TO
make his pre-eminence a positive draw
back TO him.
The first record we have OF Charles
Freeman, the subject Of this sketch, Is
that he appeared among other laborers
ON western canal about the year 1910.
where his extraordinary strength and
stature attracted much attention.
Freeman is said TO nave been at that
time eight feet tall and 70 have
measured three feet across the should
ers. His arms where they sprang from
his chest were as large AZ a medium
sized mans body, and they tapered
down 10 hand not less than three
inches in thickness. while his list could
only DO compared to sledge-hammer
in size and strength.
His age was then II years and he
was still growing in bulk. He received
the wages of an ordinary workman,
but his enormous strength made him
most destructive one. Such Titan
should have had giant tools made on
purpose for him. for when he seized an
ordinary shovel It went through the
clay like breaking-up pillow, and tho
handle soon came OF II the blade held.
An ordinary ax WAS but feather la
his hand; ii sank TO tho eye ia the
wood and the helye splintsrcd. Ho
seemed quito incapable Of measuring
the forge he laid out, like ordinary
men.
When he stood among gang OF la
borers the contrast made them look
like children, The strolling Indians
wcrld stare at him In amazement few
moments, and then with deep Ugh.
would hasten out Of sight as rapidly
rs their dignity would permit.
He was put to do the work Of two
pairs OF oxen; to remove this trunks Of
trees, cut In lengths Of ten or twelve
feet out Of the way Of tho diggers lilo
did not drag them aside as oxen would
have done, but, putting his right hand
under tho end Of the log, raising Il
from the ground, then balancing Il
across his left forearm. he shot Il far
out 70 one side with ali tho case that
skilliul workman piles split cOrdwOOd
And. thus, day after day. thu giant
worked until the canal was finished.
Frccman's next appearance was on
tho boats that piled along the Huron
river, Ia Michigan. whore he Was at
once engine and tackle 10 handle heavy
freight What others could not shove
or roll he would pick up and carry, Or
perhaps toss When the heavily
frrighted boat stuck on the rlpplUs no
often stepped out Of the storm and
pushed IL over. Tho crow would
scarcely have been surprised II bio had
taken both boat and cargo under his
arm and marched across by lAnd whom
they came 10 long bends In the river.
II was not long aitsr this timo that
some sporting men unfortunately heard
OF this uncoIcbrntad giant, and couclud.
cd that there was money in him.
Freeman was as simple IA child. lilo
lacked ambition. had no desire 10 cxhlb-
1t or push himself. and possessed a
most amiable disposition. Any ono
could lead him. and he never appeared
to realize that he was in any way rc.
markable.
his innocence was taken advantage
OF BY these sharpers, who determined
TO turn his prodigious powers 20 their
personal advantage. Accordingly he
was persuaded to accompany them TO
the eastern states. under tho promise Of
lar more profitable employment.
IL IL not strange that IA such COM
pany the good-natured giant soon fell
into bad habits Unfortunately giants
are only men, and the gamblers who
captured poor Freeman made sport Of
him as the Philistines made sport Of
tho helpless Samson.
1t Is related That at Buffalo they sent
him into a dock saloon with a / GOO
pound anchor under his arm. much as
chopper carries his AK, to pawn Il for
drinks. Ho got the liquor and tho bar
Keeper was glad 70 treat him for carry.
ing tho anchor out again.
The giants new friends soon travel.
ca TO the sea coast aud finally sailed Tor
England. They intended 10 get the
advantage Of some English champion,
out they found they had an elephant ON
their hands.
a friendly sparring match, az an OK.
pertinent with a professional boxer.
showed that for Freeman match with
any living pugilist was impossible. The
giants face could not DO affectnally
reached. Blows on his body m light M
well have been planted on a snnd-bag.
while MS blows were given with the