The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-06
THE DEATH OF A SOLID MAN.
He Weighed $40 Pounds and Lived
in a Cottage With Boas for Pets.
From the indianapolis sun.


Danvine Ind, June 2G-John Hanson
Craig known the country over as John
Powers, the kentucky giant" died in
this city on Monday Of dropsy, aged As
years.
John II. Craig was said to be the largest
man in the country He was born in
Iowa City, Ia His parents were persons
of ordinary size. At the time of his birth
he was an exceedingly large child and
rapidly grew in weight, and when only a
few years of age he weighed more than
the average man, When still very young
he left his home and moved to Kentucky
where he gained the name of the Ken
lucky giant" Remaining in that state
but a short time, he started out as a side
show and museum freak When his sum
mer engagement was ended he settled
down in Danvlle, this state
During a visit in New York he met Miss
Mary Kessler, daughter of a Hendricks
county farmer Her parents were aver
aged sized people, while she was of enor-
nous weight. IL is said that when shs
was a school girl she was so large that
she could not walk in the aises between
the seats. Miss kessler, then showing as
a fat girl with Barnum, and Craig fell in
love with each other, and before many
moons had passed they were made one
The next summer they embarked in the
side show business together, travelling
with Barnum, Forepaugh, and many
other cirCuses. In a few years Craig
bought him small tent, hired few
tumblers, acrobats and other freaks, and
started out on the road. He showed in
Indianapolis several times at state fairs,
and at the Eden Musee.
During the winter Craig and his wife
lived together in a small. ohestory cot
tage on very quiet street IN Danville.
In their house they kept several boa con
strictors, which they exhibited with their
| show during the summer. At night,
wher Craig and his wife were ready to
retire, the snakes were turned loose and
given the freedom of the house. They
would crawl over his bed, nestle them
selves on his bosom and remain there the
remainder OF the night. The people living
in the vicinity of Craig's home had a
mortal fear that the reptiles would some
time sneak out during the night and de
/ YOUR the whole community. When Craig
ana his wife desired TO take an outing they
used big red wagon similar to a moving
van. They had a cClored man for driver
| They sat in the wagon, one behind the
| other, on a large bench
About twelve years ago Mrs Craig
died. An Indianapolis firm made cof-
fin for the remains The funeral was
/ held at their cottage, and it was neces-
sary TO take out the window castings in
order that the casket could be put in a
two-horse wagon that was used to convey
them to the cemetery, as hearse was de-
cidedly too small It took twelve strong
men TO act as pallbearers
Craig, the next summer. again took to
the show business, but in year or two
he returned 10 Danville financially broke
He opened a little restaurant and peanut
stand and did thriving business He
always welcomed Danville people who
came TO see him, but strangers had to pay
ten cents TO view his enormous form 1t
has been said that five men, standing
close together. could easily be buttoned
inside his OverCoat. When he walked on
the street the flesh of one leg would al
/ most envelope the other at every step
He soon grew tired Of quiet life and re
turned TO the road. While in Minnesota
he married again. His second wife was
of ordinary statue They removed To
Danyille and settled down. one child
was born to them. Their married life
was not happy one and they separated
but We're again married. They parted
. again last year.
An Indianapolis firm is making his cot
fin. II viii be feet 9 inches long and 30
inches wide. He weighed $40 pounds