The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-09-20
sAMsoN's MODERN RIVAL.
The Hercules who IL Astonishing the Pub
lie In london.


There are many Delilahs, but only one
Samson, and he is performing at the
Poyal aquarium, London, 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 a blow of his fist he breaks
an iron chain that will bear pressure
of 5000 pounds. With his two hands
grasping a short chain of $500 pounds
ascertained pressure he makes a momen-
tary 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
biccps-the spectator may view the pro-
cess from beginning to end. One hears
the strong man take n long breath, sees
the muscles of his arm growing bigger
and bigger, the cords of his neck swell
ing with the sustained effort, his face
crimsoning, and then, in the silence,
those nearest the stage can hear a Curl
Gus little sundering snap. 1t is the
double chain ar1nlet that has broken and
that the next second falls ringing to the
floor. When Samson's fist is clenched
and he is ready to strike the measure
ment of his upper arm round biceps and
triceps is 194 inches, which, we may
casually remark, is considered tolera-
BILE waist for young lady.
Among some of his minor feats-if
such displays can be called minor
Samson took penny piece from one of
his audience, and at one trial he bent it
with his fingers, as one may bend n rail-
way ticket, held 1t 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 con-
vince 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 the left arm, such arm being
for the nonce species of anvil. Four
teen men came upon the stage, by invi-
tation to pull against him; but Samson,
not deeming them enough, or sizing up
their athletic capabilities with profess
sional eye, expressed a 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 be-
ing provided with and grasping a strong
and lengthy iron rod. Before placing
himself between them Samson stimu-
lated their ardor by promising e100 to
them if he failed to move them, and ap.
parently there was grateful determi
nation on the mems faces to win the
pour-boire. Then there was a short
sharp struggle; the men held their ground
for brief space, We're pulled together
and the next moment thrust apart, anC
finally, swaying as they went, were car
ried away by the intensity of one strain
ing man in their midst.
Samson is man of French origin, {
native of Alsace-Lorraine. lie comes t
us from America and this is his first ap
| pearance in England. AT 10 years ot
age he entered the Circus RAM as al
athlete and pulled against horses anC
elephants; at 1S he commenced to wrestle
and from that time to the present he ha
left untried no means whereby he cai
maintain, train and develop his extraor
dinary strength.-Pall Mall Gazette