The Lamar register., 1894-12-08
A NAKED HERCULES.
COSTUME OF CALIFORNIA;
GIANT ADVENTURES.
For Twenty Years He Has Besn At no
Expense for Clothing bsrrinE Cotton
Trunks-once One of the -Four Hun
dred of San Francisco

for twenty years. is lord Of the Oak
land estuary. His wardrobe Is belt
and a pair of cotton trunks, In his
belt he wears a long dagger and he
carries a Winchester in his swarthy
arms. He dictates the movements OF
all the ferryboats, yachts, tugs,
schooners and crafts of every sort that
pass his way.
He is tall and superbly proportioned.
measuring six feet three inches and
weighing 200 pounds. For twenty
years he has braved the climates OF
the world without shirt or coat TO
protect him
A San Francisco Examiner repre-
sentative rowed out to the dredger
and asked to see the captain.
..He is there" said one OF the crew
motioning apprehensively toward the
door of the cabin. In responce TO a
knock voice rang out above the din
OF the machinery. Come inl' and the
visitor entered. Before the giant
within easy reach were two knives
and rife.
..Many people have wondered why
you weac no clothes. Do you object
to telling why?" was the first question.
Won Schmidt put down volume OF
Kipling's tales and replied;
well. briefly, for my health "
Then in answer TO questions he went
on for two hours reciting the details
of most singular career.
Don't / ever feel eold2" he re-
peated. why, bless you. have
gone as you see me now for twenty
years. in all kinds OF climates in every
part of the world. II is mistake to
think that II is natural 10 20 naked
only in the tropics. Hitten. in his
history of California. calls attention
to the effect of civilization upon the
after converting these natives to
Christianity. began to clothe them.
the Indians began to die of pulmonary
troubles. Ny philosophy of dress. or
undress. is founded on scientific prin-
ciples. The pores OF the skin breathe
the air and are intended to take in
the sunshine: especially should the
pores over the respiratory organs
have free access 10 the sun and at
mosphere. In fact, German scientists
are now advocating nakedness as a
cure for consumption | come from a
consumptive family. and when was a
boy it was predicted that | would die
young because of my weak lungs"
Here the giant took long breath. and
the superb expansion OF his chest
showed how Indifferent events are to
the reputation OF prophets.
Yes continued the strong man.
"and / studied medicine a while and
my fellow empiricists said had weak
lungs. and when | went to sea my
friends said would never come back
Well, down in the tropics | naturally
wore but very little, and the less /
wore the better felt, and when | put
on more clothing again didn't feel so
well. A year later. when bringing the
vessel through the straits OF Magellan
l noticed the TERRA del Fuegans going
naked in the snow. / saw old men,
stalwart and rugged mothers nursing
their babies-all naked and all quick
in action and sturdy of limb. and |
said have found the secret of health.
Ever since i have dressed about as
those natives of that bleak country
dress. or rs you see me now
1t is dii icult to be stately in undress.
Carlyle shows how the dignity would
pass out of the British parliament
with naked duke addressing naked
house of lords: but Captain Won
Schmidt is sdignified-men respect him.
His crew, some of whom have worked
for him fifteen. eighteen and twenty