Wichita eagle., 1889-02-27
STORY OF A GIANT.
Interesting Sketch of q Magnificent Speed
men of Physical Manhood.


men of Physical Manhood.
The following history of remarkable
man, which we compile from 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,
s.L-o 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 20 him.
The first record we have of Charles Free
man, the subject of this sketch, is that he
appeared among other laborers on a West
ern canal about the year 1910, 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
a 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 a 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 him a most de-
structive one. Such Titan should have
had giant tools made on purpose for him,
for when he seized an ordinary shovel
Il went through the clay like a breaking
up plow and the handle soon came OF if the
blade held. An ordinary axe was but
feather in his hand il sank to the eye IN
the wood and the felve 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 chill
dren. The strolling Indians would stare at
him in amazement few moments, and then
with deep "Ugh," would hasten out of
sight as rapidly as their dignity would per-
NIT.
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 10 one
side with all the ease that 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 9TH
ers 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.
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 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
to accompany them to the Eastern States,
under promise of far more profitable en-
plOyment.
1t is not strange that in such company the
good -natIred giant soon fell into bad habits.
Unfortunately giants are only men, and the
gamblers who captured poor Freeman made
sport OF him as the Philiistines made sport
of the helpless Samson.
1t Is related that at Buffalo they sent him
into dock saloon with 16O0-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 a 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 gwen with
the force Of piledrlver, 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 a noted prize-fghter. The
parties came on the ground. but at the first
sight of Freeman, his opponent turned
away, saying: II came to fight with large
and referees thereupon declared the match
fairly "off."
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 MS
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- 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 10 en-
tighten and beauafy the mind and soul
which might have informed and irradiated
his splendid body. 50 persisted in his prime
perhaps the most magnificent specimen Of
physical manhood that the United States
has ever produced.