The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-18

feet or inches, and his hair, which now
is iron gray, at that time hung long and
glistening black over his shoulders. Long
after Jim had pasted hts prime no man In
Schenectady county could compare with
him in feats Of strength. Mr.. Helmer's son
William, who twenty years ago weighed
200 pounds, and was one of the best athletes
in the valley, used 10 boast that he had
never met a man who could throw him.
CHANGING In Helmer's grocery one day, Jim
overheard the boast and offered TO try con-
illusions He was then more than 65 years
old, but Mr.. Helmsr says he found himself
on his back almost instantly.
Jim has had a varied career. As young
man he wandered to the Atlantic coast, and
after some experience az O sailor he shipped
on the whaler Japan from Nantucket. IL
was prosperous trip, and nearly 900 bar
rels of oil were taken, but Jim got lost, and
was left on Barnes Island to be rescued by
that would have killed any but man OK his
wonderful constitution. When the civil
war broke out Jim enlisted I'm the One Hun
bred and Fifteenth New York infantry at
Dunlkirk, and as infantryman and cavalry
man served throughoutthe war.
Since that time Jim has made Scheneo-
tady his home. His cabin, a rough board
structure in the midst of an old apple or
ohard 10 In size TO him what a mastiffs ken
ground beneath him in summer and q
blanket around him in winter are all that he
wants. Time and time again comfortable,
warm rooms have been offered TO him, but
he has declined them all. Although his
life il almost as unconventional as that OF
his widest ancestor, it has been peaceabie
one Ia this city. 1t must be confessed that
be has weakness for the red extract OF
grain. and occasionally when under it's in
fiuence he amuses himself by shooting
through the roof of his cabin, TO che alarm Of
timid neighbors, but no complaint has ever
been made against him, and his name has
never been written on the blotter OF the po-
lice.
Jim Is not pauper, nor is he a beggar.
He has never applied to the city for dol
lar. He supports himself in his simple
needs by fishing and by selling roots, herbs,
aud barks. Some years ago an enterpris-
ing liquor dealer compounded drink after
Jim's receipt that became very popular.
Whisky was the basis Of it, and the other
ingredients were black cherry bark. sassa-
fras, prlckly ash bark and sarsaparilla.
No one has ever seen Jim wear an over
coat or carry an umbrella. No one has
ever seen him laugh, and few have seen him
smile. With long rolling gait, indicative
OF great power, he walks che streets with
bis basket of herbs, seldom speaking, unless
first addressed even Co those who have
known him for years. OF one thing only Is
| be proud. Although white and perhaps
diffused negro blood is in his veins, she
Indian is above all, and this he glories In.
Jim has never been known to be frightened
| Some time ago, ia his search through the
| woods for Himples, his hand and arm were
poisoned. He applied his own remedies but
| without avail. Meanwhile arm and band
grew worse and swelled greatly. One day
he stepped into Health Officer Van Zandt's
| drug store aud said: doctor. let me take
hatchet.n "What do you want with a
hatchetP' asked the doctor. ITO cut of my
| hand, !" said Jim. 1.-THE witches are in II