Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 217, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1920 — AMAZING FEATS OF STRENGTH [ARTICLE]

AMAZING FEATS OF STRENGTH

Pole, Without Beemingly Remarkable Muscular Developments, Breaks Record —Performer's Awful Fate. Visitors to a well-known London music hall some years ago witnessed a remarkable sight. It was announced that a Pole, named Lettl, would perform some amazing feats of strength. There appeared upon the stage a little man only five feet In height, and weighing about 140 pounds. Not young, either, for he was only three years off forty. The audience rubbed their eyes. Was this the much advertised strong man?. A hbge anchor was brought in, and four men clung to It This burden, weighing no less than 1,500 pounds, was at once lifted by Lettl, who thus beat the record lift by no less than 400 pounds, y, He then stood between two eight horsepower cars, to which he attached himself by means of hooks, which he held In his hands. The cars were started simultaneously, but by sheer finger-strength, Lettl held them so that they could not move, Although the engines were working at full • power. This feat of holding two cars may perhaps be taken as pretty well the limit of human strength. That it is a fearfully risky feat is proved by the horrible accident which recently befell the famous strong man known as Apollon. ' , At Vichy, before a large audience, he essayed a similar feat, his arms be-, lng harnessed by chains to two cars which were driven In opposite directions. He accomplished the performance safely, and then, in answer to applause, tried it again. To the horror of the spectators, he was semi to lose bis balance. ’ Before the motors could be stopped, all the muscles of the right side of his chest were tom out. He died almost Instantly. 1 " J ;/***’