Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-16

$3.50 A.C0AS "a olf'4 i1Oiic, " iCi4 III
excess, may 50 ostracise and set apart s
man as 10 make his pre-eminenee a posi-
tive drawback to him
The FIRST record we have Of Chas. Free
man, the subject of this sketch, is that he
appeared among other laborers on West
ern canal about the year 1910, where his
extraordinary strength and stature at
tracted much attention.
Freeman is said to have beer 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 hand not less than
three inches in thickness, while the fists
could only be compared to sledge-h ham,
mer in size and strength
His age was then II years, and he was
still growing in hulk. 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 it
went through the clay like breaking-up
plow, and the handle soon came off if the
blade held. An ordinary ak was but a
feather in his hand it sank to the eye in
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 labor
ers the contrast made them look like chill
dren. The strolling Indians would stare
at him in amazement few moments, and
then with deep "Ugh,n would hasten
out of sight as rapidly as their dignity
would permit
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, put
ting his right hand under the end of the
log, raising it from the ground, then bal
aneing it across his left forearm, he shot it
far out to one side with all the ease that a
skilled workman piles split cord-wood.
And thus, day after day, the giant worked
until the canal was finished.
Freemans 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
others 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 am
bition, had no desire to exhibit or push
himself, and possessed most amiable dis
position. Any one could lead him, and he
never Appeared to realize that he was in
any way remarkable.
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-natured giant soon fell into bad
habits. Unfortunately giants are only
men, and the gamblers who captured poor
Freeman made sport of him as the Philis-
tines made sport of the helpless Samson.
1t is related that at Buffalo they sent
him into dock saloon with 1600-pound
anchor under his arm, much as a chopper
carries h S ak. to pawn it for drinks. He
got the liquor and the barkeeper 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 6as impossible. The giants face
could not be effectually reached. Blows
on his body might as well have been plant
ed on sand bag, while his blows were
given with the force of pile-driver, 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
science, his hackers finally succeeded in
making match with noted prize
fighter. The parties came on the ground.
but at the first sight of Freeman his oppo-
nent turned away, saying ~ came to
fight with large man, not with noun
tain" The seconds and referees thereupon
declared the match of"
And now the unlucky giant became
aware of the worthlessness of his mercen-
airy friends. While there was prospect
that he could 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 country
man. intemperance, late hours and reck-
lessness had undermined his health, and a
pulmonary trouble was developed. His
enormous strength soon failed him, and,
uncared for and helpless, he shortly after
died Of consumption. At this time proba-
bly, no human being knows his resting
place.
During Freeman's entire life no refining
influence came near him; no one tried to
enlighten and beautify the mind and soul
which might have informed and irradiated
his splendid body. So persisted in his
prime perhaps the most magnificent speci-
men of physical manhood that the United
States has ever proauced.-Detroit Free
Press.
The Vampire.
1t is said that hoofed animals rarely die
from the effects of the vampires bite, but
that fowls do. 1t makes its attacks in the
night time, and an old current notion still
exists that it fans its victim to sleep with
its wings. Men are no exception to the
propensities, and if any parts of
the body are left exposed in the forests in
habited by these animals it is more than
likely that one will fasten upon the invit-
ing site. Most of the accounts, however,
that have come to rs about these creatures
are much exaggerated, and people who
have sustained bites from Desnrodsp say
that the effects soon pass off, the spot being
only little sore for few Days 1t is all
n i<.,,t fba,- 6nJ,ncr o,,e 1f tha