Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-04-05
"a MODERN SAMSON.
THE CAREER OF A isEMARKA-
III BhD AMERICAN GIANT.
&ighe Foot Tall. With "a Body iu
froportfon-fIis Extraordinary
tnsrength-A Victim to Sharp.
crs and Dissipation.

.teemau, inc subject ut this sketch, is
that ho appeared among other laborers
on n western canal about the year 1910,
Mhero his extraordinary strength and
stature attracted much attention.
Frcenen is said to have been at that
Time eight feet tall and 10 have measured
three feet across the shoulders. His
arms where they sprang from his chest
were as large as n mcdium.siycd mans
podY, and they tarercd down to hand
not less than three inches in thicLn ness,
while his fist could only. be compared to
sledgc-hammcr i'll size and strength.
HIS age was then seventeen years and
ne was still gfowing in bulk. He re :
ceived the wages of an ordinary work
man, but his extraordinary strength
WRae him most destructive one. Such
5sTitan should have had giants tools
made on purpose for him, for when he
selzed au ordinary shovel it went through
the clay like breaking-up pillow, and
the handle soou came off if the blade
held. An ordinary aX was but n feather
In his hand; it sank to the eye in the
wood and the helve splintercd. He
seemed incapable of measuring the force
he laid out, like ordinary men.
When he stood among gang of
iaborers the contrast made them look
Ike childien. The strolling Indians
would stare at him in amaZemcnt few
moments; and then with u deep "Ugh. i"
would hasten out of sight as RAPIDLY us
their dignity would permit
He was put TO do the work of
two pairs of oxen: to remove the trunks
oil trees, cut in lengths of ten or twelve
feet, out of the way of the diggcrs. He
dld not drag them aside rs oxen would
nave 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 to one
side with all the ease that a sklllful
workman plies split cordwood. 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 Others could not shove
or roll he would pick up and carry, or
perhaps toss. When the heavily
1reighted boat stuck on the ripplcs he
often stepped out of the stern and pushed
IT over. The crew would scarcely have
been surprised if he had tnken 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 celebrated giant, and concluded
that ihc;c was money ia him." Free
man was rs simple ms child. lie lacked
ambition, had no desire TO exhibit or
push himself, and possessed most ami
able disposition. Any one could lead
MIN, and he never appeared to realize
that he was i'll any way remarkable.
This Innocence was taken advantage
OF by these sharpers, who determined to
turn his prodigious powers to their per-
sonal advantage. Accordingly lie was
persuaded to accompany them to the
Eastern States. under promise of far more
profitable employment.
1t is not strange that in such comnany
the good natured giant soon fell into
bad habits. Unfortunately giants are
only men, and the gamblers who cap
tured poor Freeman made sport of him
as the hilistines made sport of the help
less Samson.
1t is related that at Buffalo they sent
him into a dock saloon with n 1900
pound anchor under his arm, much rs n
chopper carries his AK, to pawn it for
drinks. lie got the liquor and the bar
keeper was glad to treat him for carry
ing the anchor uut again.
The giants new friends soon Travelled
to the sea coast and finally sailed Tor
England. They intended to get the ad-
vantage Of some English champion, but
they ionud that they had an elephant on
their hands.
friendly sparring match, as an cx-
pertinent, with Il professional boxer,
showed that Tor Freeman Il match with
any living pugiiist was impossible. The
giants face could not be efrcctuully
reached. Blows on his body might us
well have been planted on n snndban.
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 rusc of representing him rs
large and strong, but wholly ignorant of
the science, his hackers finally succeeded
in making match with n noted prize.
fighter. The parties came on the
ground, but Mt the first sight of Free
man, his opponent turned away, saving:
81 came to iaht with Il large man. not
with mountain" The seconds and
referees thereupon declared the match
fairly ''olf."
And now the unlunky giant became
aware Of the worthlessncss of his mcr-
cenary lrlcnuS. ME there was n
prospect that he could win fortunes for
them they Lad lured him far away from
his home and his few humble friends;
but now, finding that no money was 10
be made, they hascly left him alone in
strange land, without friends or re-
sources.
From Michigan to Liverpool the style
of living had been entirely new to the
simple and temperately reared country
man. lntempeiancc, late hours and
recklessncss 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 consumption. At this time
probably no human being knows his
resting place.
During Frceman's entire life no REIN
ing influence came near him; no one
tried to cnlighten and beautify the mind
and sOul which miOht bo va I'm For,aol - -, !