The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

Peter Francisco, who has lately applied to Congress for a pension for revolutionary services, was supposed, when in the prime of manhood, to be the strongest man in the United States. We do not know whether, like Maximus, he could break a horse's jaw bone with a stroke, or his thigh with a kick, but we have heard the following story told in illustration of his strength.

The fame of Francisco's great strength spread far and wide through Virginia. Every man who could "whip his weight in wild cats," burned with desire of reaping renown by an encounter with Francisco.

Among others, a bully from near the mountains, next to the land of half horse and half aligator men, determined on comparing his prowess with that of the reputed strongest man in the State. He deliberately commenced his journey with the intent of whipping Francisco, or being whipped himself.

He arrives in the neighborhood of his intended antagonist, and meeting a man in a lane with a stake and rider fence on each side, he inquired of him if he knew Peter Francisco, and where he lived. The man answered that he was himself Peter Francisco. The business was made known, and Francisco, who was a very peaceable gentleman, remonstrated against such a foolish contest between two men, who had never injured each other. But in vain, the man would not be put off, and dismounting and tying his horse to the fence, told Francisco he must either fight or run. Francisco very coolly dismounting, replied that he had never been in the habit of running—if he must fight he could not help it. They met—Francisco seized his antagonist as if he had been a child, and threw him entirely over the fence—when he got up, he very good naturedly asked him to be so good as to toss him over his horse also—he wished to be travelling.

-Georgia Courier.