Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-04

STORY OF A GIANT.
Interesting Sketch of 8 Magnificent Spec
 men of Physical Manhood.

STORY OF A GIANT. Interesting Sketcl, of Magnificent SpecL
 mon of Physical Manhood.
 The following history of 0 remarkable man, which we compile from a sketch pub lished in a Michigan journal many years ago, tends to show that, notwithstanding the al- most universal desire for unusual gifts, it is, after all, the dead level which is safest, since even physical strength and noble proportions, when in excess, may so ostra- else and set apart man as to make his pre-eminence positive drawback to him.
 The first record we have of Charles Free- man, the subject of this sketch, Is that he appeared among other laborers on Vest ern canal about the year 1S40, where his extraordinary strength and stature attracted much attention.
 Freeman IS said to have been at that time eight feet tall and to have measured three feet across the shoulders. His arms where they sprang from his chest were as large as medium-sized mans body, and they tapered down to a hand not less than three inches in thickness, while the fists could only be compared to sledge hammer in size and strength.
 His age was then seventeen years, and he was still growing in bulk. He received the wages of an ordinary workman, but his enormous strength made hlm most de- StTuCllVc OIS. SuCu d 1llilu buOulu haNS had giant tools made on purpose for him, for when he seized an ordinary shovel | it went through the clay like a breaking up blow, and the handle soon came of if the blade held. An ordinary axe was but a feather in his hand; it sank to the eye ID | the wood and the helve splintered. He | seemed quite incapable of measuring the | force he laid out, like ordinary men. When he stood among gang of laborers | the contrast made them look like chil dren. The strolling Indians would stare at him in amazement a few moments, and then with a deep ''Ugh," would hasten out of sight as rapidly as their dignity would per | init. l He was put to do the work of two pairs of oxen; to remove the trunks of trees, cut in lengths of ten or twelve feet, out of the way of the diggers. He did not drag it aside as oxen would have done, but, putting his right hand under the end of the log, raising it from the ground, then balancing it across his left forearm, he shot it far out to one side with all the ease that 0 skilled work man piles split cord-wood. And thus, day after day, the giant worked until the canal was finished.
 | Freeman's next appearance was on the boats that piled along the Huron river, in Michigan, where he was at once engine and tackle to handle heavy freight What oth- CTS could not shove or roll 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.
 It 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 most amiable disposition.
 This innocence was taken advantage o1 by these sharpers, who determined to turr his prodigious powers to their persona advantage. Accordingly he was persuaded to accompany them to the Eastern States under promise of far more profitable em ployment.
 It is not strange that in such company the good natured giant soon fell into bad habits Unfortunately giants are only men, and tht gamblers who captured poor Freeman made sport of him as the Phillistines made spor of the helpless Samson.
 It Is related that at Buffalo they sent hin into dock saloon with 1900 0pound anchor under his arm, much as chopper carrie: his axe, to pawn it for drinks. He got tht liquor and the bar-keeper was glad to Urea him for carrying the anchor out again.
 The giants new friends soon travelled t. tho sea-coast and finally sailed for England They intended to get the advantage of som' English champion, but they found that they had an elephant on thelr hands. A friendly sparring match as an expert ment, with professional boxer, showed that for Freeman a match with any livins | r,ylliC iCt irpyo ell la Ma t1c fo, could not be effectually reached. Blows ol his body might as we'll have been planted ol a sand-hag, while his blows were given witt the force of pile-drlver, and no matte what they met, the obstacle went to tn earth.
 By the ruse of representing him as larg and strong, but wholly ignorant of the sci ence, his packers finally succeeded in mak ing match with noted prize-fghter. Tn parties came on the ground, but at the frs sight of Freeman, his opponent turne, away, saying: "I came to light with larg man, not with mountain" The second and referees thereupon declared the mattel fairly "on"
 , And now the unlucky giant became awar , of the worthlessness of his mercenar- ] friends. While there was prospect tha he would win fortunes for them they hat lured him far away from his home and hi lew numDle IrlenoS Dul now, nnd1nS tha no money was to be made, they basely lef him alone in a strange land, without friend or resources.
 From Michigan to Liverpool the style 0 living had been entirely new to the simpl and temperately- countryman. In 1 temperance, late hours and recklessnes had undermined his health and pulmonar, trouble was developed His enormou , strength soon failed him, and, uncared fo and helpless, he shortly after died of con , sumption. At this time probably no huma, being knows his resting place.
 During Freemans entire life no refinin. influence came near him; no one tried to en tighten and beautify the mind and sou which might have informed and irradiate, his splendid body. So perished in his prim
 perhaps the most magnificent specimen 0 : physical manhood that the United State ], has ever produced.
 Look Out for Teem.
 A physician warns people against exam ming the naked arc of the electric ligh with the naked eye lest they be ''attacke by blepharospasm, central scotomata o
 chromatopsia." When man wants to ex anime the naked arc of the electric ligh IL IL T. ~