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Hampton's Strong Man - 1900 - Clinton J. Eaton

Edited By John M. Holman, Contributing Writer

"The (Boston) Globe has discovered numerous strong men all over New England. Of one in this vicinity it says: Clinton J. Eaton of Hampton, is one of the strongest men in that section.

"In his 18th year, he lifted a barrel of sugar to which were strapped 16 bags of shot, a total of 740 pounds, half a foot from the ground.

"On another occasion, he carried unaided a 300-pound barrel of track oil from a (railroad) car and set it down on the platform.

Hampton Officials, 1898
[Town officials lined up in the middle of the intersection of Exeter and Lafayette Roads, looking west down Exeter Road before the railroad overpass was constructed, ca. 1898. From left to right are (with town offices held at one time or another): S. Albert Shaw (librarian and selectman), Clarence M. Dearborn (selectman), Clinton J. Eaton (tax collector and chief of police), Hugh Brown (supervisor of the checklist and selectman), William S. Brown (highway agent), Joseph Ballard Brown (selectman), and Charles M. Batchelder (selectman, library trustee, postmaster and school board member -- and school janitor). The town pump and watering trough can be seen at extreme right.]
"At Hampton Beach, he took from his wagon and carried into a barn, several rods distant, five bags of grain, one under each arm and one upon either shoulder, the last two surmounted by a fifth.

"Mr. Eaton was at one time, Hampton's Chief of Police, and during the beach season, often had to deal with tough customers. He never resorted to his billy and never failed to handle his given orders. He was barred from the strength testing machines at the beach, having broken many.

"He is in his 34th year, stands 5 feet 10 ½ inches and weighs 190 pounds. He is quick and active and a wrestler of no mean ability."
(The Hamptons' Union - Vol. II - No. 18 - October 13, 1900)

Hampton History