Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-06-12
sAMsoNs MODERN RIVAL.
The Hercules Who Is Astonishing the Pub
Tic In London.

AA*S VI bo - hNLDuthUihS tue fuD-
Tic In London.
There are many Delilahs. but only one
Samson. and lie is performing at the
Royal 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 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 10
bits, and in what seems the most won
derful feat-namely, fastening two tight
iron chain bracelets OF armlets round his
biceps-the spectator may view the pro-
cess 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 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 arlnlet 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 l9t inches, which, we may
casually remark, is considered a tolera-
bic waist for a 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 a rail
way ticket, held it up to view for a
second. and then deliberately brokeit in
half, and returned the pieces to the
owner. A very little practice will con-
vince amateurs of tile 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 profes-
sional eye, expressed a wish for four
more These men he divided into nine
side, the two sides nearly the width OF
mans stretch apart, and each side be-
ing provided with and grasping 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, were pulled together
and the next moment thrust apart, and
| finally, swaying as they went, were car,
ried away by the intensity of one strain
ing man in their midst
| Samson is a man of French origin, a
native of AlsaceLorraine. He comes to
us from America, and this is his first ap
! pearance in England At 10 years OF
| age he entered the Circus RAM as ar
athlete and pulled against horses ant
elephants; at Is he commenced to wrestle
and from that time to the present he hal
left untried no means whereby he cal
maintain, train and develop his extraor
binary strength. Pail Mall Gazette