Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-27
A MODERN SAMSON.
The Hercules Who In Astonishing the
Public in London.

From the Pail Mali Gazette.
There are many Delilahs, but only one Sam
son, and he il performing at the Royal Aquar-
ium at present, where his feats Of strength are
certainly Of an original and marvellous char
acter. The spectator as he watches feels that
it is better to be friendly with such q man;
with blow Of his fist he breaks an iron
chain that will bsar pressure Of 5000 pounds.
With his two hands grasping q short chain
OF 2, 500 pounds ascertained pressure, he makes
momentary effort and pulls the iron chain
to bits, and in what seems the most won-
derful feat-namely, fastening two tight
iron chain bracelets or armlets round his BIZ
ceps-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
crimsoning, and then, in the silence, those
nearest the stage can hear q curious little sun
dering snap; it is the doubls chain armlet that
has broken and that the next second falls ring
ing to the floor. When Samsons fist is clenched
and he Is ready to strike the measurement of
his upper arm round biceps and triceps is 19lS
inches, which, we may casually remark, is con-
sidered a tolerable waist for a young lady.
Among some of his minor feats-if such dis
plays can be called mlnor-Samson took q
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 a
second and then deliberately broke it in half
and returned the pieces to the owner. A very
little practice will convince amateurs of the
hopelessness of breaking pennies with finger
and thumb. The strong man next bent four
foot iron gas pipe round his neck and cheer
fully Strengthened it again by repeated blows
on his left arm, such arm being for the nonce
species of anvil. Fourteen men came upon
the stage, by invitation, to pull against him,
but Samson, not deeminp them enough or
sizing up their athletic capabilities with
a professional eye, expressed wish
for four more. These men he divided
into nine a 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 be-
tween them, Sampson stimulated their ardor
by promising fI00 to them if he failed to move
them, and apparently there was grateful de-
termination on the mems faces to win the pour
boire. Then there was short, sharp struggle;
the men held their ground for brief space,
were pulled together and the next moment
thrust apart, and finally swaying as they went,
were carried away by the intensity of one
straining man in their midst
Samson Is a man of thirty-one, Of French
origin, native of Alsace-Lorraine He comes
to us from America, and this is his first appear
ance in England. At fifteen years of age he
entered the circus RAM as an athlete and
pulled against horses and elephants at eigh-
teen he commenced to wrestle and from that
time to the present he has left untried no
means whereby he can maintain, train and de-
velOp his exit aOrdlnary strength