The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-09
= A MODERN SAMSON.
The Hercules Who is Astonishing the
Pubic in London.
Fron. the Pail Mall Gazette.

From the Pail Mall Gazette
There are many Delilah's, but only one
Samson, 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 man; with blow of his fist he
breaks an iron chain that will bear a
pressure of 5000 pounds. With his two
hands grasping a short chain'of 9, 500 pounds
ascertained pressure, he makes a mo-
mentary effort and pulls the iron chain
to bits, and in what seems the most wonder
full feat-namely, fastening two tight iroa
chain bracelets or arnletS round his biceps
the spectator may view the process from
beginning to end. One hears the strong
man take long BREATH sees the muscles of
his arm growing bigger and bigger, the
cords of his neck swelling with the sustained
effort, his face crimsoniug, and then, in the
silence, those nearest the stage can hear
curious little sundering snap; it is the dou-
BILE cnain armlet that has broken, and that
the next second falls TO the floor. When
SamsOn's fist is clenched and he is really to
strike the measurement of his upper arm
round biceps and triceps is 1917 inches,
which, we may casually remark, IS consi-D
cred a tolerable waist for young lady,
Among some Of his minor feats-if such
displays can be called minor-Samson took
penny piece from one of the audience and
at one trial bent it with his fingers as one
may bend a railroad ticket, held it up to
view for q second and then deliberately
broke it in half and returned the pieces to
the owner. A very little practice viii con-
vince amateurs of the hopelessness of break
ing pennies with finger and thumb. The
strong man next bent 4-foot iron gas pipe
round his neck aad cheerfully strag ltenel
it again by repeated blows on his left arm,
such arm being for the nonce a species of
anvil Fourteen men came upon the stage
by invitation, to pull against him, but
Samson, not deeming item enough or
sizing up their athletic capabilities with
o professional eye, expressed wish for four
more. These meI he divided into nine
side, the two sides nearly the width of
mans stretch apart and each side being
provided with and grasping a strong and
lengthy iron rod. Before placing himself
between them, Sampson stimulated their
ardor by promising 9lO0 TO them if he
failed to move them, and apparently there
was grateful determination on the mems
faces to win the pourboire. Then ther vas
short, sharp struggle; the men hell th}ir
ground FOR brief space, were pu l. Il TO-
gether and the next moment thrust aDart.
and finally s@aying as they went, were
carried away by the intensity of one strain
ing man in their midst sEt
Samson is man of 81, Of French origin,
a native of Alsace- Lorraine. He comes to
US from America, and this is his first APP
pearance in England. At Is wears of age
he entered the circus RAM as an athlete and
pulled against horses aud eie hants. at IS
he commenced to Wrestle, and from that
time to the present be has left untried no
means whereby be can maintain, train and
develop his extraordinary strength.