Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-04-24

ers could not shove br ron he would pick
up and carry, or perhaps toss. When the
heavily-freighted boat stuck on the ripples
he often stepped out Of the stern and
pushed it over. The crew would have
scarcely been surprised If he had taken
both boat and cargo under his arm and
marched across by land when they came to
long bends in the river.
1t was not long after this time that some
sporting men unfortunately heard Of this
uncelebrated giant and Concluded that there
was "money in him. Freeman was as
simple as child. He lacked ambition, had
no desire to exhibit or push himself, and
possessed a most amiable disposition.
This innocence was taken advantage of
by these sharpers, who determined to turn
his prodigious powers to their personal
advantage. Accordingly he was persuaded
70 accompany them to the Eastern States,
under promise Of far more profitable en-
ployment.
1t is not strange that in such company the
good -natLred giant soon fell into bad habits.
Unfortunately giants are only men, and the
gamblers who captured poor Freeman made
sport OF him as the Phillistines made sport
Of the helpless Samson
It Il related that at Buffalo they sent him
into dock saloon with 1900 pound anchor
under his arm, much as a chopper carries
his axe, to pawn it for drinks He got the
liquor and the bar-keeper was glad to treat
him for carrying the anchor out again.
The giants new friends soon travelled to
the sea-coast and finally sailed for England.
They intended to get the advantage of some
English champion, but they found that they
had an elephant on their hands.
A friendly sparring match, as an expert
ment, with professional boxer, showed
that for Freeman match with any living
pugilist was impossible. The giants face
could not be effectually reached Blows on
his body might as well have been planted on
a sand-bag, while his blows were given with
the force of pile-drlver, and no matter
what they met, the obstacle went to the
earth.
By the ruse Of representing him as large
and strong, but wholly ignorant Of the sci
ence, his hackers finally succeeded in max
Ing match with noted prize-fighter. The
parties came on the ground, but at the first
sight OF Freeman, his opponent turned
away, saying: II came to fight with large
man, not with a mountain The seconds
and referees thereupon declared the match
fairly 'soff"
And now the unlucky giant became aware
of the worthleSsness OF his mercenary
friends While there was a prospect that
he would win fortunes for them they had
lured him far away from his home and his
few humble friends; but now, finding that
no money was to be made, they basely left
him alone in strange land, without friends
or resources.
From Michigan to Liverpool the style of
living had been entirely new to the simple
and temperately reared countryman. In
temperance, late hours and recklessness
had undermined his health and pulmonary
trouble was developed. His enormous
strength soon failed him, and, uncared for
and helpless, he shortly after died of con-
sumption. At this time probably no human
being knows his resting place.
During Freeman's entire life no refining
influence came near him; no one tried to en-
tighten and beautify the mind and soul
which might have informed and irradiated
his splendid body. So persisted in his prime
perhaps the most magnificent specimen Of
physical manhood that the United States
has ever produced.