Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-03
SAMSON,
Some Feats Performed by "the Strongest
Man on Earth

Some Feats Performed by ''the Strongest
Man on Earth"
There are many Delilahs, but only one
Samson, says the Pail Mall Budget, and
he is performing at the Royal Aquarium at
present, where his feats of strength are
certainly of an original ana 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 pres
sure of 5000 pounds. With two hands
grasping a short chain of $500 pounds as
certained pressure. he makes a mementary
effort and pulls the iron chain to bits, and
In what seems the most wonderful feat
namely, fastening two tight iron chain
bracelets or armlets round his biceps-the
spectator may view the process from be-
ginning to end. One hears the strong
man take a long breath, sees the muscles of
his arms growing bigger and bigger, the
cords of his neck swelling with the sustain
ed effort, his face crimsoning, and then,
In the silence, those nearest the stage can
hear a curious little sundering snap; it is
the double chain armlet that has broken,
and that the next second falls ringing to
the floor. When Samson S fist is Cinched
and he is ready to strike, the measurement
of his upper arm around biceps and
triceps is 1919 inches, which, we may
casually remark, is considered a tolerable
waist for young lady.
Among some of his minor feats-if such
displays can be called minor Samson took
a penny piece from one of the audience
one may bend a railway ticket, held it up
10 lo1Sl D4olxv
broke it in half and returned the pieces to
the owner. A very little practice Will con-
vince amateurs of the hopelessness of break
ing pennies with finger and thumb The
strong man next bent fOur-foot iron gas
pipe around his neck and cheerfully
Strengthened 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
them enough, Or Selling up their athletic
capabilities with a professional eye, ex-
pressed wish for four more. These men
he divided into nine side, the two sides
nearly a width of a man S stretch apart,
and each side being provided with and
grasping strong and lengthy iron rod.
Before placing himself between them,
Samson stimulated their ardOr by promis-
ing 9100 to them if he failed to move them,
and apparently there was a greatful deter
mination on the mems faces to win the
pour-boire Then there was a short, sharp
struggle; the men held their ground for a
brief space, were pulled together, and the
next moment thrust apart, and finally,
swaying as they went, were crrried away
by the intensity of one straining man In
their midst.
Samson is a man of 81, Of French origin,
native of Alsace-Lorraine. He comes to
us from America and this is his first APP
pearance in England. At fifteen years of
age he entered the circus RAM as an
athlete and pulled against horses and ele-
plants; at eighteen he commenced to
wrestle, and from that time till the pres
ent he has left untried no means whereby
he can maintain, train, and develop his
extraordinary strength.