Y., October 8, 1892, made a record-throw of 145 feet 3/4 inch.
Putting 16-pound Shot.--George R. Gray, at Chicago, September 16,
1893, made the record of 47 feet.
Throwing 50-pound Weight.--J. S. Mitchell, at New York, September
22, 1894, made the distance record of 35 feet 10 inches; and at
Chicago, September 16, 1893, made the height record of 15 feet 4
1/2 inches.
The class of people commonly known as contortionists by the
laxity of their muscles and ligaments are able to dislocate or
preternaturally bend their joints. In entertainments of an arena
type and even in what are now called "variety performances" are
to be seen individuals of this class. These persons can
completely straddle two chairs, and do what they call "the
split;" they can place their foot about their neck while
maintaining the upright position; they can bend almost double at
the waist in such a manner that the back of the head will touch
the calves, while the legs are perpendicular with the ground;
they can bring the popliteal region over their shoulders and in
this position walk on their hands; they can put themselves in a
narrow barrel; eat with a fork attached to a heel while standing
on their hands, and perform divers other remarkable and almost
incredible feats.
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