The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-08-28
..,ter A. Boyd, Of Louisiana, Brother
Of j. o. Boyd, Z Attracting A.
tention In the
East.
AVN IDEAS or TRAINING
=. Has Organized Band Of Boys and
is In the East Now to Got
Some Pointers for His
Work.


4 : attracting considerable attention In
~ east where he has been taking a
/ sm,rse in physical culture training.
~ BOYD is a strong man" and has
Efs own ideas as to the values and
ma methods Of physical training. The
@toIIowing from the Boston American
tells what Mr.. Boyd Is doing and
L something OF his ideas concerning
training:
Fresh from the life of western
/ fsrmer, Walter Alvin Boyd Of
Inuisiana, Mo-, is now rounding out
course in the department of physi-
\ al education at Harvard SC as to go
hack home and teach the Riddles" a
4 few Of the most modern eastern forms
i 81 physical development.
Boyd is the strongest man at Har-
ward. He does stunts that even the
Professional men of muscle might
find beyond his power of endurance.
His merry 60 round" feat. in which
g supports on his chess, with his
body on the ground In the shape Of
! bridge, a band Of eight men-a
weight OF 1000 pounds-for two min
ntes Is original with him, Boyd says.
This big good-natured Missourian
Il nothing more than grown up boy
4 that is In his actions. BE cheerful
il one of the notices which stand out
among his commandments of life.
The cultivation of cheerful dispO-
stion is above all one Of the most
important essentials to physical de-
yelopment, he says, and to have sun
shine" in ones every day life 1t is
not necessary to depend on the ele-
ments of nature. :
Boyd is thirty-six years old and
married. Back home he has 100 acres
Of the finest farm land in Pike
county, that section which he says is
noted .'for it's pretty women, fertile
/ valleys. green hills, and distinguished
citizens" which includes Champ
Clark, speaker OF the house.
Band Of Youngsters.
In Louisiana, a Hourishing little
hamlet Of 5000 folks, Boyd has gath
cred about him a small band of
youngsters ranging from ten to sew
enteen years, whom he hss fathered
in physical education for several
years, and his visit to Harvard was
made largely to note touches here
and there of progressive type OF
physical training. He Is teaching the
~kiddies" the right way to become
clean. healthy citizens Of the republic
and in their mentor they have man
who answers all the requirements
which he is teaching them to attain
on their goal to responsible citizen
ship.
This Hercules, the father Of three
growing boys himself, has no desire
for the life of the professional strong
man" although now and then he has
demonstrated his wonderful powers
including his Expansion act at near
by fairs and good times at home.
Hard work, plenty OF 1T, and whole
some food has been largely respon-
sible for Boyd's strength and good
health. for he confesses that he never
has known sick day. Open life on
the farm has made him rugged and
strong. He does not know the taste
Of alcoholic liquors; neither has he
ever smoked. He eats most anything,
but is inclined to be in sympathy with
the diet Of the vegetarian. On his
farm is grown wheat, corn and fodder.
His present weight is 202 pounds,
and there isn't an ounce of surplus
lat on his whole frame. His hours of
labor at home are generally started
at o'clock in the morning and con-
Guided at s o'clock at night. Three
evenings OF his week are given over
to his class OF youngsters.
Can Break Chains.
Boyd also breaks a chain by the
expansion Of his chest. Ten strong
men are unable to break this chain
with their hands, he claims. The
chain is placed about his chest with
the customary strap to hold 1t in
place. In jiffy. Boyd's normal chest
Measurement of thirty-two inches
leaps fourteen inches, and the chain
IS snapped in twain forthwith. Dur
ing this feat Boyd's heart stops one
beat.
Boyd does not believe in lifting
dead weights or by harness as he
says they stiffen mans muscles.
Real lifts require action Re says.
Talking to a Sunday American re-
porter, Boyd said yesterday:
Up to the age of ten, the 'kiddies
should be allowed to give free vent
% their own Imagination in play.
There shouldn't be too much restric-
uon From ten to sixteen years is
the period OF habit ana character
building. Properly supervised play
sfound with attendants that know
tnelr business cannot be too highly
recommended for the youngsters.
Play is fundamental means In
EDUCATION because it is natural in
Ninct. In play a child rehearses the
Instincts Of grown up folks and imi-
tates the life of his elders. desire
70 excel is In every child. 1t should
De encouraged in the young.
The greatest handicap the Ameri-
can boy has is his father. Through
many physical deformities by indulg-
ing In one or more of the manifold
Mssipations and the neglect Of his
mystical education his weaknesses
sFe transmitted to his children.
No Strenuous Training.
Boys should never be allowed to