The Strongest Woman That Ever Lived

   I dedicate this article to all women of strength whether it be physical or otherwise and to the three most important people in bringing the story of this warrior princess to the attention of the world: Venetian explorer Marco Polo, California strength historian David P. Willoughby and editor/historian Mike Lambert who allowed me to publish this story in his magazine Powerlifting USA back in the 80's .

THE STRONGEST WOMAN THAT EVER LIVED

by Peter Vuono

     The Venetian explorer Marco Polo(1254-1324) tells an amazing tale in his memoirs , Description of the World, of a Tatar(Mongolian) princess who may very well have been the strongest woman that ever lived. In the year 1260A.D. there existed a city known as Samarkand. It was located in an area known as Great Turkey and would later be called Russian Turkestan. Presently, it is now Uzbekestan, a CIS State located just above Afghanistan.
     Samarkand's monarch was King Kaidu(1238-1301), who was the great grandson of Genghis Kahn and the nephew of the reigning Mongol Kublai Kahn who founded the Mongol Dynasty in China. King Kaidu often clashed with his uncle as to how one's kingdom should be governed. Their differences were so severe, that they often fought each other on the battlefield.
     When Kaidu rode into battle, he never had by his side one of his many sons. Rather, he always rode next to his only daughter, Princess Aiyaruk. The Princess, whose name means,"Shining Moon", was born in 1260A.D.. After years of Tatar training, she was regarded as the strongest and mightiest person  in King Kaidu's kingdom. Polo, in his memoirs called the Princess,"Almost a giantess", and she must have certainly resembled one. Strength historian David P. Willoughby, in his book, The Super Athletes extrapolates Aiyaruk's height at 6'2" and a solid 280lbs.! Aiyaruk was described as being stunningly beautiful, receiving her comeliness from her mother, the Queen, who possessed both Tatar and Caucasian lineages. Willoughby estimates that her vital statistics may have been 49-35-53.
     As Aiyaruk grew older, it was obvious that her strength was superior to that of any of her brothers. The King was so pleased with her attributes , that he made certain that Aiyaruk  be given every luxury and that she receive the best tutoring in archery, horsemanship and wrestling. Wrestling became the favorite of Aiyaruk and this sport would later serve as the medium in declaring her amazing physical prowess.
     Upon turning  16, it was exceedingly difficult to find adequate opponents for her to spar with. By the age of 18, Aiyaruk was considered both invincible at wrestling and without question the strongest person in Samarkand, This so pleased the king, that he ordered a personal gym constructed for his daughter equipped with the finest trainers to further hone her skills.
     At about the same timne, the King and Queen were anxious that their daughter become betrothed. They were desirous that Aiyaruk marry a man of nobility and means. However, Aiyaruk's loyalty and devotion to the King had bonded so strongly that she was by no means willing to leave Kaidu's side easily.She therefore promulgated the terms by which she would agree to matrimony.
     Aiyaruk made it known that the man that she would marry would have to be a superior warrior and athlete. The proviso for each suitor would be that he would have to face, wrestle and pin the shoulders of the Princess to the mat. It was also required that if the suitor lost, he'd have to forfeit 100 horses which were used monetarily in Samarkand. Each suitor wrestled the Princess in front of the Royal Family and a large audience.
     In  a two year period, Aiyaruk's strength and loyalty prevailed. With little difficulty, the Princess defeated one hundred men garnering for her 10,000 horses! In the year 1280A.D. when Aiyaruk was only 20, a Prince from a nearby kingdom known as Pamir let it be known that he desired Aiyaruk's hand in marriage and challenged her to wrestle him. The Prince of Pamir was heralded as a wrestling champion. So confident was he of his skills, that he offered 1,000 horses if he should lose.
     The match was highly publicized and in front of a large audience, history's strongest woman came to grips with the Prince. The struggle was an enduring one but in spite of whatever hold the Prince tried to execute , Aiyaruk's strength and devotion once again prevailed. The Prince's stamina and strength eventually gave out and his shoulders were soundly pinned just like all the previous opponents.
     The last known mentioning of Princess Aiyaruk was in 1301A.D. King Kaidu passed away from natural causes leaving his daughter attempting to take the throne of Samarkand. At this point in history, however, the Kaidu Dynasty was coming to an end.
     It is not known for certain how Aiyaruk died. What is certain is that even today's world of women performing 300lb. bench presses, there has been not one individual woman who could legitimately wrestle and defeat 100 wrestlers of the type and caliber that existed in a violent 13th century world.
     Princess Aiyaruk was and is an icon of strength, devotion, loyalty and pride. She was unafraid to display her power in a world governed by men. In more ways than one, she truly was the strongest woman that ever lived!

REFERENCES: Willoughby, David P. The Super Athletes. A.S. Barnes and Co. Cranbury NJ 1970 P. 580

Willoughby, David P. "Three Strong Women of the Past", IRON MAN MAGAZINE 40:30 March 1981

STEVE REEVES
    How many of us truly remember the moment that someone who appeared to be bigger than life, would inspire us to better ourselves? Tomorrow, I turn 60. I'm still on a journey and I haven't forgotten who started me on it.


This story originally appeared in the Journal of the Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen. Jan-Feb. 2002

STEEVE REEVES
By Peter Vuono

     One Saturday morning in 1959, this author stood in line at the Wollaston Theater in Quincy, Ma. to see "Hercules Unchained".  As I waited in line, I stared at the placard which displayed the most muscular man I had ever seen. Dangling from python-like arms were huge chains which had been torn from giant obelisks. Never before in my six years had I ever seen a depiction of such Antaean strength.It was at that very moment that I knew that my goal was to become physically stronger.
     Sadly, on May 1, 2000. Steve Reeves, the man responsible for inspiring this writer and countless others succumbed to lymphoma at age 74.. Reeves who was 215lbs. in his prime, won the Mr. America title in 1947. In 1948, he was Mr. World and twice Mr. Universe in 1948 and 1950. A native of Montana, the handsome Reeves secured movie parts and began his career playing a policeman in cult director Ed Wood's "Jail Bait" in 1955.
      However, Reeves amazing muscular confirmation garnered for him the role that would make him immortal. Reeves starred in Warner Brothers "Hercules" in 1957. This Italian-made film was brought to America by legendary film impresario, Joseph E. Levine.It led to a chain of successes for Reeves with "Hercules Unchained", "The Slave", "Sandokan the Great","The Thief of Baghdad", "Morgan the Pirate" and many others.
      It was "Hercules", however and "Hercules Unchained", which immortalized Reeves' persona and career. This, in turn, led to a string of   noteworthy strongmen such as Arnold, Lou Ferigno, Reg Park, Micky Hargitay, Peter Lupus and Kevin Sorbo who would carry on the legacy. Although no fewer than ten men have played the part of Hercules, it is Steve who best exemplified the ancient hero.
      Strength historian David P. Willoughby relates a tale of 2500 year old clay pictures found in Mesopotamia which depict Hercules beheading a seven-headed dragon. For 2500 years the legend of Hercules has withstood time. So too, will the cinematic legend of Steve Reeves.

"Suddenly, a chariot of fire and horses of fire came between them and parted them" 2 Kings2: 11-12

STEVE REEVES FILMOGRAPHY;
Jail Bait- 1955, Hercules- 1957, Hercules Unchained- 1959, The White Warrior- 1959, The Thief of Baghdad- 1959, The Giant of Marathon- 1959, The Last Days of Pompeii-1960, Goliath and the Barbarians- 1960, Goliath and the Dragon, 1960, Morgan the Pirate- 1961, The Trojan Horse- 1961, The Avenger-1962, The Slave- 1962, Sandokan the Great- 1964, A Long Ride from Hell- 1970

Saint Sebastian- Patron saint of athletes and soldiers

By Peter Vuono

     During the time of the Roman empire, the years between 303 and 311 proved to be the most severe and bloodiest  years of Christian persecution. Between 3,000 and 3,500 Christians were slaughtered in the arena in what was called the Diocletianic Persecution.This was a period started by former cavalry commander, the Emperor Diocletian and continued by Maximius and two more successors.
     The captain of  Diocletian's Praetorian Guard, which was an elite band of soldiers created by the Emperor Augustus to bodyguard the emperor, was a soldier named Sebastian.Unbeknown to Diocletian, however, Sebastian had become a Christian and it wasn't enough for him to remain so anonymously. Sebastian had converted a prefect known as Chromatius who, when converted, released all his prisoners, gave up his post and retired to another country. Chromatius' son Tiburtius would also later convert and become a Catholic saint.
     Enraged by the "treason" of both converting Chromatius and becoming a Christian himself, Diocletian ordered that Sebastian would be taken to the archery field and the archers,"Would shoot enough arrows as to make him resemble an urchin". The execution was carried out unsuccessfully and Irene of Rome, who would later be canonized a saint, took Sebastian to bury him. She immediately realized that he had survived the attack and she took him to her home and nursed him back to health.
     At the home of Irene, there lived a young woman who was blind. When he was able to speak, Sebastian asked the girl if she wanted to know God. As she replied"Yes", Sebastian made the sign of the cross on her forehead restoring the girl's sight immediately.
     Sebastian, however, could not ignore Diocletian's persecution which continued to rage. Sebastian publicly confronted and harangued the tyrant, demanding that the carnage cease. Diocletian ordered that his  soldiers club Sebastian to death on the spot as an example to others who may feel the same way.
     Sebastian was venerated a saint in the time of Saint Ambrose approx. in the late 300's. His remains are said to have been buried in Rome. Other sources name France. Because of his tenacity, courage, endurance and devotion to doing what is right, he was made patron saint of both soldiers and athletes. Although it is somewhat of a mystery as to where his actual remains lie, the fact remains that the spirit and example of Saint Sebastian, are with us always when we deem it necessary to call for his help.
    

WRESTLING IN THE SHOES OF JACOB: The story of Father Sergio Guttierrez Benitez

A version of this story was  published in The Anchor Catholic Newspaper of Fall River, Ma. on June 22, 2007.

"So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him till daybreak". Genesis 32:24

     During Father's Day weekend of 2006, movie goers  spent 27 million dollars to watch the agile antics of comedian/actor Jack Black in his starring role in the movie Nacho Libre. Few of them knew, however, that the basis for this movie which had been previously told in a more dramatic way in 1991 as "The Man in the Golden Mask",  was the life of a Catholic priest(known as Fray Tormenta- Brother Storm), whose life and vocation embody the magnanimity of another Mother Teresa.
     In 1961 Sergio Guttierrez Benitez, one of 18 children, roamed the streets of Mexico City. He was known as "The Crook" to his fellow gang members, smoking grass and hanging out with pimps and prostitutes before getting hooked on drugs. When he could bear no more, he went to confession telling the priest that he didn't deserve forgiveness. Whatever dialogue was exchanged between young Sergio and his confessor was enough to make him want to change his life around.and walk through "The narrow gate".
    Benitez was ordained in 1969 and was sent to both Rome and Spain. He was later taught Philosophy and History at universities in Mexico with the goal of teaching in mind but the 22 year old Sergio knew he would be unhappy as a teacher.
     After a chance meeting with a homeless child sleeping under a bridge in Veracruz, he sought permission to found an orphanage and was denied. He abandoned the Scholastic Order and joined the Diocese of Texcoco. Prior to the people of Tiotihuacan raising money for his orphanage, Father Sergio had a flock of 14 children, seven of whom would sleep in his car at night, the other seven would sleep on the ground with Benitez.
     He later secured St. Michael's, a four hundred year old church in Xometla, a village about an hour's journey Northeast of Mexico City. His enrollment burgeoned to over 80 children. Some were runaways, some abandoned. Others were children of prostitutes or drug addicts. Conditions remained oppressive with only toilet and one shower amongst over 80 orphans. As many as 16 boys would sleep in Fater Sergio's room. Over 30 would sleep in a cramped adjoining room. Over a dozen girls slept in two small rented rooms across the street.
     Fees for duties in Mexico have always been paltry to say the least. These fees, which were sometimes as little as $7.00 were not nearly enough to meet the over $1,000 per month food bill. Luckily, all clothing was donated. In a metropolis of 20 million people, the Diocese of Mexico City could not afford to help.
     Then one day, Benitez watched pro wrestling(lucha libre) on TV. He had heard about the large sums that the wrestlers(luchadores), received; about $40.00 in the 1980's. Sergio thought that it was something he could do and do anonimously in order to provide the much needed revenue. He would need a teacher but like in America, pro wrestling in Mexico is very compoetitive and it would be very difficult to get one's foot in the door.
     Finally, a luchadore calling himself  "The Leader" volunteered to train Benitez. For one year, Father Sergio was taught the art of lucha libre and entered the ring under the name of Fray Tormenta  which is translated as Brother Storm. Masked professional wrestling in Mexico carries with it both great history and pride. It stems from the Mexican culture dating back to when the Aztecs donned the masks of jaguars and eagles in fighting off the invading conquistadors. Tormenta was eventually "outed" by a parishioner who recognized his voice at Mass. This only served , however, to bolster his popularity and donations.
     Fray Tormenta became one of Mexico's most beloved heroes and luchadores. He took on the personna of a "good guy"(technico). In America the term used is "baby face" or simply"face"and was often handed donations by the lucha libre patrons after vanquishing the "bad guys"(rudos), or "heels" in the American jargon. After 23 years of wrestling, matches tapered off due to a diabetic condition. His final match to date was fought on July 3, 2011. One of the orphans was trained in luch libre and carries on the name and tradition as Fray Tormenta Jr.
    To this author's knowledge, there were no royalties from the movie but Father Sergio is in demand for personal appearances on behalf of St. Michael's. Though he may no longer wear the mask of Fray Tormenta, he continues to walk in the shoes of Jacob.

REFERENCE: Reilly, Rick. "A Ring and a Prayer". Sports Illustrated Vol. 67 No. 27 Dec. 21, 1987

Joe Zarella- Warrior of Women's Rights

     The first time I saw Joe Zarella was at my first powerlifting meet in Jan of 1973. I had never seen him but his name was often posted in Strength and Health and Muscular Development Magazines as a meet director for many of the first New England power meets. As I sat there in the hall of the Nashua YMCA, a place that would later become  historic for women's rights, I watched 3 teenagers sneak in without paying the mandatory $1.00 door charge. In seconds this massive 300 lb man came over dressed in a bright red sweat suit resembling a buffed up Santa Claus. He questioned the three,"Have you got a buck? Have you got a buck. Have you got a buck?" They all responded,"No", to which Joe answered,"Then get out of here! What do you think this is, a charity?" I was almost too frightened to lift. Little did I know that this man would become one of the best friends that I've ever had, the Godfather to my kids and a pioneer and champion of women's rights.

This story had originally been published in the newsletter of the Oldetime Barbell and Strongman in April of 2009 and on line in Powerlifting Watch.

Joe Zarella- Warrior of Women's Rights
By Peter Vuono

     The 1976 National AAU convention was held in Phoenix, Arizona. At attendance was Cindy Wyatt Reinhoudt who, in 1965, became the first woman to compete in a powerlifting meet of any kind. Reinhoudt, a gifted track athlete who was once mentored by the immortal Tommy Kono, requested that a women only meet be sanctioned by the AAU. Her request was summarily turned down by the male dominated governing body.
     Serendipitously sitting next to Cindy, however, was the pugnacious Joe Zarella, winner of the Silver Star for Bravery in the Battle of Okinawa. Zarella asked Cindy,"Are you going to take that?" To which Cindy answered,"What can I do/". No machine had been invented that would measure the contempt that Zarella had for bullies. He knew full well what to do.
     Being the New England Powerlifting Chairman, Joe received an NEAAU sanction for an idea of his which he would solely produce and pay for; the All American Women's Open Powerlifting Championships. This historic athletic milestone was held April 17,1977 at the Nashua NH YMCA on Prospect Street.It consisted of 27 women who were judged by international referees Joe Zarella and Denis Reno. The event was by no means a glorified local contest.
     Cindy Reinhoudt did more than test her might in receiving the outstanding lifter trophy for the heavier classes. Jan Todd lifted with a contingent from New Germany, Nova Scotia. Ohio's Stephanie Moody competed to make her the first African American woman to compete in a national weightlifting tournament of any kind. The much talked about Rebecca Joubert was present in addition to a wide assortment of talented athletes from all over the country. This, however, was not the end but only the beginning. When Terry Poston's comely photo appeared in Life Magazine of her competing at this event, women's powerlifting took off.
     In 1978, Zarella held the women's national championships on April 16th at Saint Stanislaus Hall in Nashua. Seventy-four lifters competed including a contingent brought from Australia by Roz Basile. Again, Cindy Reinhoudt won the outstanding lifter trophy for heavier classes and Jan Todd's record 453.25 deadlift marked the first time ever that a powerlift had been recorded for television.
     In 1979 sixty-eight athletes lifted at the historic Nashua "Y" over two days on May 19th and 20th. Ann Turbyne became the first woman to total 1000lbs. with an 1118.8 total and this was the first power meet to be televised in it's entirety with Olympian Donna DeVerona doing commentary for NBC Sports World.
      By this time, women started to get involved in bodybuilding and Olympic lifting contests of their own. It's hard to believe that the hirsute, 300lb Zarella would become a godfather of women's rights when he looked more adept for ursine grappling. However, a women's rights advocate is what he became in his final testament  for fostering equality for women.
     Again, Zarella sanctioned, produce and paid for the first Women's World Powerlifting Championships May3rd and 4th 1980 at the University of Lowell in Lowell, Ma. Eight countries were represented including Japan and Australia. NBC Sports World again covered the meet. A Who's Who of strength legends such as John Grimek and Bob Hoffman attended and it marked the first US appearance of strength legend, Bev Francis. Forty-nine women competed in what could not have happened if it were not for Joe Zarella's chivalrous response to Cindy Reinhoudt's intrepid plea for equal rights.
     In his brilliant account of the contest in Powerlifting USA Magazine, author Tony Fitton quotes Eugene Ware in saying,"All glory comes from daring to begin". Joe Zarella dared to begin and in doing so he gave women a venue to manifest their strength of body and soul to the world furthering their quest for equality much in the same way as the immortal Susan B. Anthony had done so many years before.
     Inside the commemorative program of the 1984 Women's World Powerlifting Championships there is a well deserved article on Cindy Reinhoudt. The article starts out by saying,"Though there is much discussion about who is the Godfather of Women's Powerlifting". This author contends that there is no discussion. The Godfather of Women's Powerlifting is Joseph Raymond Zarella.

"The key to immortality is by living a life worth remembering"- Bruce Lee

MAN OF STEEL

I dedicate this short piece to the memory of  George Reeves and Christopher Reeve who made me a better man. Also to my Special Needs students and to another hero of mine; my son, Mike who does not possess any of my faults.

MAN OF STEEL
By Peter Vuono

     Every boy needs a hero. I was no exception. Growing up in the mid 1950's, I was drawn toward anything that projected strength. I loved dinosaurs and Superman. George Reeves was the perfect hero; big, handsome, strong and heroic. When he passed away in June of 1959, I was greatly saddened but looked to others along the way to fill the void such as Steve Reeves. Then, in the late 70's, a new hero had arisen.
     Like his predecessor, George Reeves, Christopher Reeve was the perfect Superman; tall, muscular, good looking and behind the scenes, a true man of integrity. In his early years, he was quite involved in the Special Olympics, the Save the Children Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Here was a hero that the public needed. What also impressed me about him was the fact that he was trained by former British weightlifting champion, Dave Prowse who would also be immortalized on the screen as Darth Vader!
     Recently, my son had played a movie trailer for the upcoming remake entitled, Man of Steel. I had seen it many times before and had previously thought nothing of it. However, this time, as the trailer rolled, my son, Mike, made a comment saying,"It's too bad about Chris Reeve; isn't it dad?" Instantaneously, my heart dropped and my eyes welled up to capacity.
     I hadn't forgotten Reeve's accident in 1995 and his struggle with being a quadriplegic. I thought of his death in 2004 and the passing of his wife, Dana, soon after. But at almost the same moment, I had an epiphany.
     As I started to maintain my composure and pull myself together, I realized that Chris Reeve's life taught me a lesson that I should have learned from all my Special Needs students but never did. Reeve showed us that our lives do not have to be derailed from the path that we were so passionately following just because of an illness, accident or disability.
     Reeve, after his accident, went on to direct both an A&E and HBO movie. He wrote two books and appeared in a segment of Smallville. He later starred in the remake of Rear Window and in doing so, received a Golden Globe nomination and a special award from the screen actor's guild. He made numerous appearances and speeches on behalf of stem cell and spinal cord research and together with his wife he created the Chris and Dana Reeve Foundation which operates even today.
     All within the time of a one minute movie trailer, I learned through Chris Reeve's life that illness and disability don't cause life to end but only to change. It was at that very moment that I ironically realized that Christopher Reeve truly was a Man of Steel.

Peter Francisco- The Strongest Soldier That Ever Lived

 This tale is dedicated to all veterans.

This story was originally published in the June 14, 1987 edition of the Brockton Enterprise long before the internet.

Peter Francisco- The Strongest Soldier That Ever Lived
By Peter Vuono

     In 1765 a small boat docked on the shores of Virginia. One of it's passengers was a 5 year old orphan who was handsomely dressed but had no identification except the initials "P.F." on his shoe buckles.Word had it that he was originally captured by sailors from his homeland in the Azore Islands.He was adopted by the kindly judge Anthony Wilson who raised the boy on his Buckingham County, Virginia plantation.Using  the "P.F."  initials on the child's shoe buckles as a guide, Judge Wilson named him Peter Francisco.
     The child worked hard on the plantation and like a weightlifter, cultivated his muscles working as a blacksmith. The young man  grew to a height of 6'8" and weighed a solid 260lbs. With his size came a gift of inhuman strength.
     To entertain his friends, Francisco could put a full grown man on the palm of each hand and press them until his arms were completely extended overhead. He was also able to lift a saddled horse over a 4' fence on the plantation. His great strength was obvious but his courage would later be tested.
     Peter became a member of George Washington's Continental Army. During the Battle of Camden in South Carolina on August 16,1780, he performed a feat of heroism and strength that has since been rarely equaled, The Colonists were greatly outnumbered by the British and a horse drawn field cannon which was crucial to the battle was made immobilized by the Red Coats. The horses were shot , the caisson splintered and the 1100lb. cannon barrel was mired in mud.Francisco, realizing the value of the field piece, tipped the cannon up on end. He then allowed it to fall across his tremendous shoulders and squatted under it. He then proceeded to carry the gun 200 yards to a more strategic position.
     In spite of Peter's valiant efforts, the Colonists were forced to retreat. In doing so, Francisco saved his commanding officer from certain death. The Colonel never forgot the act and willed a 1,000 acre tract of land to Peter. Francisco, however, felt that he should humbly decline since he was not a blood relative. He also, on two other occasions, turned down an officer's commission saying that he lacked the education for the job. Although Francisco did not advance in rank, he would do so in fame.
     He was later overheard by General Washington that his sword was too light to handle. The General then ordered a magnificent 5 foot long excalibre  made for Peter which no man except he could wield with one hand. The sword would later become as  legendary as Peter after his next daring campaign.
     On March 15, 1781 at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, in North Carolina, the giant Francisco rode upon horseback armed with the 5 foot sword. Almost immediately, a British soldier caught him by surprise and drove a bayonet right through his right thigh into the horse. Undaunted, Francisco extricated himself from his attacker whereupon he immediately lashed out with the excalibre.Enraged, he proceed to cut down 11 of the Queen's Guards like a one man regiment. Bloodied and exhausted, Francisco was left for dead. However a soldier by the name of Robinson found Peter and took him to safety. He recovered from his wounds and was off to battle as soon as he was able.
     Another of Peter's exploits of brawn and bravery occurred during Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve. at Trenton to surprise the Hessian Soldiers.Unfortunately for the General there were not enough boats for all his men to cross on and Washington's plan came to a halt. A farm boy informed the General that there was a flat boat hidden one mile away in tall grasses. Francisco traveled a full mile with the boy and found the boat just as he had said. Peter carried the boat  by overturning it and letting it rest upon his head and outstretched hands. He then singlehandedly carried the 900lb. vessel a mile back to the sight of the crossing. This enabled all of Washington's men to make the famous trek.
     By now, every campfire in the Continental Army made mention of this prodigious warrior in the war for freedom.
     Francisco was given a roving commission by Washington to fight the Red Coats wherever and whenever he saw fit. Peter felt that his efforts were most needed in Amelia County Virginia where the troops of Generals Tarleton and Cornwallis were literally ravaging the land, burning farms and villages.
     One evening, Peter was sitting alone inside a tavern known as Ben Ward's. A gigantic troop led by Tarleton, 400 strong, rode along the highway toward the tavern. Nine of the troops went ahead as scouts and entered the tavern. Seeing that he was a colonist soldier, they took him prisoner. As they did so, Peter drew his long sword and severely injured two of the soldiers. The other seven fled back to the regiment. As Peter gave chase, he realized that any further acts of aggression would mean certain death for him against this throng of soldiers. Peter then decided to use his wit along with his reputation to thwart Tarleton. He ran behind the tavern and yelled into the woods, "Come on my brave boys- now's your time! We will dispatch these and attack the main body."Tarleton recognized the famous Francisco and thought that he would have to do battle with a complete regiment led by Peter. Rather than risk this,the cavalry retreated. This deed of bravery was etched on canvas and the original now hangs in Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
     The Battle of Guilford Courthouse is commemorated by a giant granite marker enshrined to Peter's bravery standing on the very spot of the battle. There is also a Peter Francisco Square in New  Bedford Ma. a city who is proud of this great soldier. Peter's greatest honor, however, came in 1976 when his picture was inscribed on a postage stamp celebrating the bicentennial. It shows Peter carrying the 1100lb. cannon barrel in the Battle of Camden.
     Peter Francisco was a folk hero come to life who was perhaps the strongest soldier that ever lived. His size, strength and daring courage were overshadowed only by his love of country and burning desire for freedom.

REFERENCES- Strength and Health Magazine- July 1938
and Strength and Health Magazine- March 1980.