Tuesday, August 04, 2009

  • Horse Lifting


    • One of the more unusual (and quite impressive) oldtime strongman feats was to lift a horse through the use of a climbing ladder. The German strongman William Pagel (left) pioneered this feat in the circus in the early 1900's. Many other strongmen followed in his footsteps including the Australian strongman Don Athaldo (right), Paul Baillargeon and Alexander Zass.

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    Posted by John Wood @ Tuesday, August 04, 2009

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    Thursday, March 05, 2009

  • William Pagel


    • The German Strongman William Pagel used to perform an amazing feat of strength: carrying a 1050-pound horse to the top of two 18-foot ladders by the use of a harness. Even more amazing was that he did this for 10 shows a day. Pagel was also a great wild animal trainer.

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    Posted by John Wood @ Thursday, March 05, 2009

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    Wednesday, May 07, 2008

  • Orville Stamm - The Boy Hercules

    • Orville Stamm - Boy HerculesOrville Stamm - The Boy Hercules

    A top vaudeville attraction for several decades, Orville Stamm, who performed as "The Boy Hercules" possessed many talents. He would often sing a song to the accompanyment of a piano which he happened to be supporting in the "Tomb Of Hercules".

    He could also tear cards, played the violin with a 66-pound bulldog tied to the bow, lifted a horse with one hand and performed acrobatic feats.

    Sounds like quite a show!

    During World War I, Orville Stamm also served as physical instructor to the Navy and one of his students was president-to-be Franklin D. Roosevelt. After FDR was elected, Orville and his wife were often guests at the Whitehouse.

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    Posted by John Wood @ Wednesday, May 07, 2008

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    Friday, April 18, 2008

  • Cyclops and Sampson

    • Cyclops and SampsonCyclops and Sampson

    A rare poster advertising the strongman duo of Franz "Cyclops" Bienkowski and Charles A. Sampson. Sampson's Harness Lift is highlighted.

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    Posted by John Wood @ Friday, April 18, 2008

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  • Paul Baillargeon

    • Paul BaillargeonPaul Baillargeon

    I have said many times that Arthur Saxon's records would never be broken... and they won't be... but the man who has come the closest was Paul Baillargeon of the famed Baillargeon Brothers of Quebec.

    These six brothers (who I will feature in another post), were all incredible wrestlers and strength athletes who toured their native Canada and the US taking on all comers.

    Paul, who was quite possibly the strongest of the brothers, often lifted a horse as the finale of their strength performances.

    Anyhow, this picture shows him oficially bent-pressing a barbell loaded to 321pounds, a feat which he achieved on May 11, 1951, in front of Harry B. Paschall and other reliable witnesses at the Apollo Health Studio in Columbus, Ohio.

    Paul Baillargeon actually did succeed in bent-pressing 375 pounds in practice a few times.

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    Posted by John Wood @ Friday, April 18, 2008

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