Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-11-08
A MODERN SAMSON.
Astonishing Feats of strength Perform
Ry "a Young Alsatian.

Astonishing Feats of strength Performed
by n Young Alsatian.
There are many Delilahs, but only
one Samson. and he IL performing at
the Royal Aquarium, where his feats
of strength are Ger ainly OF an original
and marvellous character. The spec
tator as he watches feels that 1T is
better to be friendly with such man;
with a blow OF his fist he breaks an
iron chain that will bear pressure OF
5000 pounds. With his two hands
grasping a short chain OF 1000 pounds
ascertained pressure. he makes
momentary effort and pulls the iron
chain to bits, and In what seems the
most wonderful fact--namely, fasten-
ing two tight iron chain bracelets or
armlcts round his biceps- the speeta-
tor may view the process from begin
ing to end. One hears the strong man
take a long breath, sees the muscles
OF his arms growing bigger and big
ger. the chords OF his neck swelling
with the sustained effort. his face
crimsoning. and then. in the silence,
those nearest the stage can hear
curious little sundering snap; 1t Is the
double chain armlet that has broken
and that the next second falls ringing
TO the floor. When Samson's fist Is
clenched. and he Is ready to strike,
the measurement OF his upper arm
round biceps and triceps is 1871 inches.
which. we may casually remark, Is
considered u tolerable waist for young
lady.
Among some OF his minor feats--if
such displays can be called minor
Samson took II penny piece from one
OF the audience and at one trial bent 1t
with his fingers as one may bend a
railway ticket, held IL up to view
for n second and then deliber-
ately broke IL Ia half and re-
turned the pieces to the owner. A
very little practice will convince anna
tours OF the hopelessness Of breaking
pennies with finger and thumb The
strong man next bent four-foot iron
gas-pipe around his neck. and cheer
fully Strengthened it again by repeated
blows on his left arm, such arm being
for the once species OF anvil. Four
teen men came upon the stage by invi-
tation, to pull against him; but Sam
son, not deeming them enough. or siz-
ing up their athletic capabilities with
professional eye. expressed wish
for four more These men he divided
into nine side. the two sides nearly
the width OF mans stretch apart,
and each side being provided with and
grasping strong and lengthy iron
rod Before placing himself between
them Samson stimulated their ardor
by promising El00 to them II he failed
to move them, and apparently there
was n grateful determination on the
mems faces to win the pour-boire
Then there was short, sharp strug
gle; the men held their ground for ,
brief space, were pulled together ant
the next moment thrust apart, ant
finally. swaying as they went, wer'
carried away by the intensity OF on,
straining man in their midst.
Samson is man OF thirty-one. o
French origin. u native OF Alsace-Lor
raine. He comes to us from America
and this Is his first appearance In En-
gland. At fifteen years OF age he en-
tered the Circus REM as an athlet
and pulled against horses and ele
plants; at eighteen he commenced +
wrestle, and from that time till tn
present he has left untried no mean
whereby he can maintain. train an
develop his extraordinary strength. =
Pail Mall Gazette.