Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1894 — A Chinese Strong Man. [ARTICLE]

A Chinese Strong Man.

A Hankow correspondent gives an account of the discovery of a young Samson at the militia examinations. There were about 900 candidates, of whom sixty-three obtained the degree of promoted men. They are tried in archery, lifting, sword and spear exercise, etc., also in writing. The senior wrangler was a young man, only twenty-two years of age, from Kinhau. His particular success was in lifting, and his strength is estimated at 800 catties (the catty is about one and one-half pounds), though really they say it is only 600 catties. This is tested by lifting a square stone of 300 catties weight as high as the breast. This man not only lifted it to that height, but gave it a little toss up and caught it as it came down. The governor was astonished and asked him to repeat the feat. The young man, supposing that he was suspected of having some secret help, threw off his coat,'exposing his bare body, and repeated the feat to the entire satisfaction of the judges. Though in archery and other practices his skill was not conspicuous, he was awarded the first place on the list of successful candidates, and the governor did him the honor of asking who had been his teacher and trainer.

He replied that It was his father, who was himself a military officer and had served at Ningpo and elsewhere.—San Francisco Chronicle.