The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-03-24
\ MARYLAND GIANT.
NO 12

On the Talbot county "debt book
for quiet claims, Michaelmas, 1855"
made by Colonel Edward Tilghman for
Henry Holiday, Esq, representing
the interests Of the late Lord Propric-
tor. showing what was due on quit
claims at that date appears the follow
ing entry: Gabriel Selles, Rich
Range, 800 acres, Is, od' DELPHI. 100
acres, IS. 3D. These farms were in
what is now and was possibly then
called Oxford Neck, in pretty and
agricultural section. OF course no one
living ever saw this Gabriel Seiles, and
he left no descendants, and, as far as
is known, there is not one of his kim
dred alive to day. But his name is
we'll known in this generation, and
even better known than all his con-
temporaries. The stories told about
him and the traditions attached to the
place serve to immortalize the name
of "Gabriel Seiles' in Talbot county.
lie was mighty man in height, and
was possessed of superhuman strength.
He stood, it is said, six feet eight
inches high, and of splendid physical
and muscular development. Many
stories are yet told of his feats of
strength, which throw Sandow's per-
formances in the shade. The best one
of the stories accredited him is this:
The fame of this powerful man had
gone out far and wide. 1t had even
gotten to New York city, where ex-
aggerated stories of his feats and Prov
ess had been told among men who con-
sidered themselves something of giants.
The most notorious pugilist in the
country at the time was big fellow,
by the name of Garth. He was man
of science in the pugilistic art, and
had bested many men, but, having
never suffered defeat himself Having
heard so much of Sales strength, he
determined to find and whip him. He
promptly came down and drove out to
see Sales, who was just about 10 kill a
big OK for Christmas. The New
Yorker saluted Seiles, and said
"My name is Garth. I'm a fighting
man from New York. l hear you are
fighter. I've come down to whip
you"
"All right" said Sailes. "Wait
minute till kill this beef"
The animal, a big OK, was brought
up before Sales, who struck him
powerful blow between the eyes, knock
ing him down. After cutting the ox's
jugular, he turned to accommodate the
New Yorker, but he was going toward
the gate at breakneck speed, on his
way to New York.
1t is also told of him that when his
slaves would ask him for holiday he
would make them spend it sitting on
the apex Of the barn roof, like lot of
crows. The most singular freak of
this peculiar man was in connection
with his death and burial. His coffin,
which was made of two-inch white oak
suff, was cut and sawed in the mid
night hours, on land called the "De-
wills Keep" The coffin was opened at
both ends. He directed (and the writ
ing is yet extent) that a jug of whis-
key should be placed in one end of the
coffin and plug of tobacco lii the 9TH
er, so that ''if the devil comes in at
either end, he will stop to take a 'chaw
or drink, and will get out at the
other.
Another of his fantastic notions was
that his grave should be dug north and
south and holly tree be planted at
each end. This was done and the hol-
lies are still living, being large trees.
In the early part of this century the
grave was opened through the curiosi-
ty of some skeptics, who disregarded
the story. This thick oak coffin was
there. Both ends of it were open, and
in one end was jug. \ record of the
fact and the finding were made at the
time, and is now on the county re-
cords.