JACK WALSH- LIONHEART
A version of this story appeared in the Journal of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen in 2006.
JACK WALSH- LIONHEART
By Peter Vuono
One of the most beloved facets of Americana is the circus. And certainly, one of the most thrilling and inspirational moments of the circus to a young boy is the strongman act which is seen infrequently in today's day and age. Sadly, Jack Walsh, one of the last of the old time circus strongmen, passed away on June 11, 2006. Jack was born on February 20. 1930 and began lifting weights at age 11. At age 12 he joined the Trenton NJ YMCA. Jack idolized old time strength performers such as Louis Cyr and Warren Lincoln Travis. He immediately gravitated toward the back lift as his two idols had done. When Jack backlifted the maximum weight that the Trenton Y leg press machine could hold(850 lbs.) his dad rented a garage and constructed a backlift apparatus out of boards and oil drums. It was here that a strength legend would be born.
When Jack was 16 years old, he backlifted 3,000lbs! At 18, the 185lb. Walsh was paid $250 to back lift every pro wrestler on a local card that evening.. It was here in 1948 that Jack turned pro and on March 10, 1950, Jack backlifted a 2700lb. elephant at the Hunt Brothers Circus in Trenton. He then allowed the pachyderm to walk across a platform laid over Walsh's prone body! This great feat lead to a photo on the front page of the New York Daily News.
The photo lead Jack to numerous engagements on the TV shows of Ed Sullivan, Arlene Francis and Ernie Kovacs. His daring exploits included becoming a human chain link in holding back two cars, one strapped to either arm, balancing a 295lb. barbell on his head, withstanding several stomach blows from legendary pugislist, Sonny Liston and wrestling a 750lb. bull in Mexico.
His extraordinary feats(all done at 185 lbs.) still remain virtually untouched. Here are a few.: Backlift-4,638lbs. done on July 7, 1950(second only to Paul Anderson!), Hand and thigh lift- 1,900, One finger lift- using a dumbell attached to a chain and iron ring- 732lbs., Two finger lift( a partial deadlift done in the same style as the one finger lift) 1,000lbs.
Walsh could also climb a ladder with an 800lb. horse strapped to him. He could do a partial leg press using the front end of a 3,000lb. Cadillac. He could also carry a 1,000lb. barrel 60 feet. Jack could pull a box car while holding onto an iron ring with one finger and allow an 8 ton armored truck to sit on his stomach for 23 seconds. He could also hold back a DC-3 airplane from taking off at an airport.
In 2004 Walsh sustained serious medical complications after he was attacked by a man who attempted to rob him in New Orleans. Although he successfully fought off the attacker, he shortly after incurred a stroke and slipped into a brief coma. Jack spent his final days at St. Anthony's rehab. center in Metairie, Louisiana.
It is disheartening to know of the circumstances which lead to Jack Walsh's death and it is unfortunate that at age 77 his strength waned to a point where his health would not return. However, it is equally gratifying to know that the lionheart that really made Jack Walsh the man that he was valiantly roared to the very end.
"These are the heroes of the days gone by, the famous men"- Genesis 6:4
This author would like to acknowledge the writings of historians David P. Willoughby and Fred Howell without whom this memorial could not have been written.
