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Show John Tanner and His Family 32 "Another branch of the family sprang from the gigantic race, the Beswick, whose grandfather was considered equal to four common We are men in strength. All this gives us good reason to be proud. "26 a hardy race and used to hardships. men The children of John Tanner were indeed a were large standing well over six feet and to 275 pounds. And they were "hearty race." The weighing from 200 strong in proportion. Even on the John rugged frontier where men were tough and game, these sons of tells Nathan with. Tanner were physical giants, not to be trifled trouble were who of an encounter with a number of mobbers making for the Saints in Missouri. His story which is follows: a little rough runs as as I was walking across the public square [In Far West, seven of in Missouri] company with two or three of the brethren, the mob on horse-back, well armed with rifles laying across the horns of their saddles, accosted me and said, "How are you this morning, One morning common?" About my man? Do you feel as much like a fight as the same Nathan replied. "Well, come ahead then, God damn you," he said and drew his rifle on me. myoId hat on the ground and said, You poor pusillanimous cowardly cur-to draw fire arms on a bare-handed man. Get down I threw off your horses and come at me two at a time, and if I don't thresh the round with you, then God Damn me. They said they brought their arms to fight with and I told them that they needed them." was acquainted with two of John Tanner's sons, David Dan. Seth, much the larger and more and Seth Benjamin rugged, was a giant with broad shoulders, arms like a professional wrestler, and hands with a grip like a vice. One had the feeling that The author he could take a man in each hand and jostle them together, bumping their heads as he chose. A boyhood remembrance is the author's attempt to make a whistle from a willow branch with a dull knife. Uncle Seth saw the problem, reached his great hand into his denim pocket, pulled out his jackknife, and with a flick of the wrist cut the willow smooth with no apparent effort. What an arm! What a knife! What a man! David Dan, much less imposing physically, demonstrated his strength in more subtle ways. Family members relate that it was he was like a homing pigeon and impossible to lose David Dan 28 He had a purcould find his way when every one else was lost. - |
