Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-10-03
SAMSON.
Some Feats Performed by "thc Strongest
Man on Earth"

Some Feats Performed by "thc Strongest
Man ON Earth"
There are many Deilahs. but only one
Samson, says the Pail Mall Budget. and
he is performing at the Royal Aquarium at
present, where his feats of strength are
certainly of an original and marvellous
character The spectator. as he watches,
feels that it is better to be friendly with
such a man. With blow of his fist he
breaks an iron chain that will bear pres
sure of 5000 pounds With two hands
graSping a short chain Of $500 pounds as
certained pressure, he makes a mementary
effort and pulls the iron chain to bits and
in what seems the most wonderful feat
namely, fastening two tight iron chain
bracelets or armets round his biceps the
spectator may view the process from be-
ginning to end. One hears the strong
man take a long breath. sees the muscles of
his arms growing bigger and bigger, the
cords of his neck swelling with the sustain
ed effort, his face crimsoning, and then,
in the silence, those nearest the stage can
hear a curious little sundering snap; it is
the double chain armlet that has broken,
and that the next second falls ringing to
the floor. When Samson S fist is dinchcd
and he is ready to strike. the measure Hent
of his upper arm around biceps and
triceps is 1872 inches which, we may
casually remark, is considered a tOlerabe
waist for young lady.
Among some of his minor featslf such
displays can be called minor Samson took
a penny piece from one Of the aud ence
and at one trial bent it with his fingers as
one may bend alailway ticket. held it up
TO view for second. and then deliberately
broke il in half and returned the pieces 10
the owner A very little practice will con-
vince amateurs of the hopeiessnes, of break
ing pennies with finger and thumb The
strong man next bent four-f0Ot IRON gas
pipe around his neck and cheeyfullv
Strengthened it again by repeated blows ON
his left arm such arm being for the uonce
IA species Of anvil. Fourteen men came
upon the stage by invitation TO pull
against him. but Samson, not deeming
them enough or selling up their athletic
capabilities with d professional eye eX-
pressed a wish fOi four more These men
he divided into nine side. the two sides
nearly q width Of a man 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 promis-
ing 600 to them if hefaied tomoye them,
and apparently there was a greatfuI deter
mination on the men faces to win the
pour-boire. Then there was "a short. sharp
struggle; the men held their ground for "a
brief space were pulled together. and the
next moment thrust apart. and finally,
,waying as they went. were crrried away
by the intensity of one straining man in
their midst.
Samson is a man Of 81 of French origin,
. native Of Alsace- Lorraine He comes to
us from America and this is his first APP
pearance in Eng md. Athfteen years Of
age he entered the circus RAM as an
athlete and pulled against horses and ele-
plants at eighteen he commenced TO
wre,te, and from that time till the pres
ent be has left untried no means whereby
he can maintain, train and develop his
extraordinary strength