The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-28
An Indiana Town That
Has a Modern Samson.
Remarkable Physical Powers
of Marshal Bennett.
How He Dealt With Prize Fighter
and the Latter's Friends.

Kokomo out in Indiana has man who
for physical prowess, is a modern Sam
son, performing feats of strength that
even Sandow, the noted strong man. VIII
not venture to duplicate William H.
Bennett is the name Of this modern
Samson and he has been elected city
marshal on the anti-saloOn ticket Az
the present moment he Is In his fifty-nifh
year He ssryedsthroughout the war ot
the Rebellion in an Indiana regiment
1t was as boy. and while his fatner ran
q saw mill in Cass county, that bennett
first attracted attention. Naturally OF
powerful physique, the violent exercise OF
rolling logs in the mill yard developed a
marvellous degree OF strength. AT is
wears of age it was his proud boast that
ho could lift any log that could be hauled
to the mill with Two horses, and plenty
of men are still living in the neighbor-
hood who will testify To the truthfulness
Of the claim. In that day his reputation
as a fighter extended we'll over the north
ern part of Indiana He was not bully,
and the combatants that came were not
OF his seeking He was quiet, modest
Young man. feet 9 inches high, weigh
ing lSG pounds. At that period he was not
particularly opposed to the saloons, and
occasionally went out with tho boys for
"a time
After the war Bennett, with several
companions went to Kokomo To attend
political rally. Without his knowledge
noted prize fighter had been brought
from an eastern city. the arrangement
boing To pit Bennett against him in
pugilistic encounter. The men were
brought together, aud the result was one
of the bloodiest battles ever witnessed IN
or out of the prize ring. In the end the
noted pug was spread out on the ground
with broken Jaw, and IL was several
days before he was able TO be taken home.
In addition to this, Bennett was com
PEELED TO whip half dozen CT more OF his
antagonist 3 friends before leaving town.
A number of other bullies from different
parts of the country met Bennett with
the same result. He sent them all home
on stretchers
During the war his remarkable strength
was frequently exerted. On one occasion
he lifted 10-pounder Parrott gun with
tw@-.nen astride it. This was done OH
wager Of s.. all the money he could raiss
TO bet. In later years, while operating
saw mill Of his own, he would, unaided,
remove defective boilers and replace them
with new ones. He lifted one end OF
6OOO-pound boiler that six men had vainly
tried TO move Oak and ironwood hand
spikes too heavy for ordinary men TO
handle broke In his hands He has fire.
ss,Sontly lifted one end OF box cars by
backing under them and raising his body.
Heavily loaded wagons stalled In the
miro have been raised by him in the
Same way. In similar manner no has
lifted an 1900 pound horse off its feet
Another favorite feat Is 70 take large
man by the ankles and lift him until his
head touches the ceiling. Ordinary-sized
men he holds out at arms length one
with each arm.
One of his most recent performances
occurred while he was returning to
kokomo on hand car with five compan-
ions. 1hey started out just ahead of
passenger train and kept out of the way
for ten miles. On crossing bridge near
Galveston Bennett saw in the darkness
the form of man just ahead of them.
Quick as q flash, with the other five men
using their utmost strength .mpelling the
car forward, Bennett braecd himself and
stopped the wheels in time to save the life
of the man, who proved to be we'll
known Dunkard preacher. The sudden
stop or the hand car tore all the cogs out
of the wheels bent the axles and de-
molished the car generally. Bennett then
threw the wreck Off the bridge out of tho
way OF the passenger train, which was
by that time only few feet distant
Though he still retains full possession
of his physical powers Mr.. Bennett does
not now exercise his muscle merely for
exhibition purposes. Recently in test
of tire grip of his right hand the indicator
on the scale showed 500 pounds In the
exercise of his official duties as marshal of
tae city hc uses only his bare hands for
weapons, which the law breaker has dis
covered are fully as dangerous as reyol. |
vcr or billy In the hands of an ordinary
officer. The thirty saloons of tho city OF |
fIsfi inr n bs, loxy 80
Marshal Bennett docs not have to 90 !
around and give his orders. They come
TO police headquarters and consult the |
officers as TO the chiefs wishes and |
scrupulously comply with them. He |
makes an excellent marshal, the best tue |
city has ever had.