The times., 1899-09-20
Old Shoemaker Who Became a Grip
ME Ii, the CiYiI Wnr.

OAI SHOEMAKER w no Dec0ine Il Cfip-
PIE in the Civil War.
From the Rochester Democrat and Chroaicle.)
1t is hardly credible, but nevertheless
fact, that a Rochester man, a familiar fig
ure on the streets of this city. is being
exhibited about the country as a wild
man." When the street fair and carnival
was here there was on exhibition a wild
man. and a Rochester man conceived the
idea of venturing into the wild man. -s-ls s-ls
mess as a source of profit He accordingly
entered into negotiations with TON"
Kane. who was once shoemaker, but who
is, now so crippled by rheumatism that he
can only go about with the aid OF a crutch
and heavy cane.
There are probably but few residents of
Rochester who have not seen Tom Kane,
and 10 many of them he is personally
known. He is of abnormal build, weigh
ing about 300 pounds. His head is between
two and three times the size of that of an
ordinary man, and his hands and fest are Of
like proportions. 1t was familiar specta-
Gle to see him walking along the streets OF
this city with his body bent over and SOW
ly dragging enc foot after the other. His
large head, with its abnormal nasal adorn-
ment at once attract attention.
Kane was veteran of the civil war. Af-
ter the war he followed shoemaking for a
livelihood, and he had a large patronage
from some of Rochester's best people.
Eventually the rheumatism he had con-
tracted while fighting for his country so
crippled him that he was no longer able to
work at his trade He has been in recent
years an inmate of the Soldiers Home, at
Bath, several times, but up to couple OF
weeks ago was at the county almshouse.
He walked down town from the aims
house every pleasant day, and usually stay
ed around different Bowery resorts during
the greater part of the day. Early last week
the exhibition of wild man was the at
traction at Silver Lake. The wild man"
was none other than Tom Kane.
Outside the tent was displayed piece Of
canvas on which was painted a graphic il
lustration OF the wild man in the act Of
tearing a cow to pieces with his hands
The barker" in frent CT the tent sang
refrain something to this effect:
Come In and see the wild man. Walk
in, all of you; it will cost you but 10 cents
for your only opportunity to see Brutus,
the only genuine wild man on exhibition.
He eats nothing but raw beef and drinks
a pailful OF water at time Come one,
come ALL
The barker" occasionally revealed a
portion of "Brutus' - history. at one time
telling his hearers that he had been born in
the wilds OF Australia and when his men,
ory lapsed, informing them be first saw
light on a small island In the Pacific. As
the manager recited Toms prowess he
became enthusiastic and informed his hear
ers that with his hands Tom could tear
a man to pieces, so great was his strength.
The farmers would edge away from the
wild man" in fear that he might break
out in fury and tear them to pieces. and
all the while Tom" did not so much as
smile AS a matter of fact. TON" had
hardly strength enough to retain a firm
hold on the erutch and stout stick, with
the aid of which he walks. He is unable
to stand unassisted. The appearance CT
wildness was accentuated by crowning
Toms" head with wig of hair three feet
long.