#william bankier
William Bankier, the Scottish Strongman was born on December 10, 1870 in Banff, the eldest of four sons of William Bankier , a hand loom weaver, and his wife Mary Ann.
As a child William became fascinated by the idea of being a circus performer, by the age of 15, he had twice run away from home, eventually joining a road show and finding a friend and mentor of sorts in its star attraction, a strongman with a drinking problem. As that performer’s absences piled up, Bankier saw an opportunity to showcase his own strength. Other circus jobs soon awaited, among them “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s Wild West Show in Wyoming.
As part of his act, Bankier would harness-lift an elephant. He could also jump over the back of a chair, frontward or backward, while holding a 56-pound weight in each hand. Another celebrated routine, the “Tomb of Hercules,” saw the strongman support a piano with a six-person orchestra and a dancer. Bankier would always end the performance by offering cash to the audience member who could carry a sack weighing 475 pounds off the stage. Inevitably, the strongman kept his money. He could also hold a man aloft with one hand, while juggling plates with the other”
After retiring, “Apollo” as he became known, became a wrestling promoter, teaming up with fellow bodybuilder Monte Saldo to form an academy for wrestlers, boxers and jiu-jitsu competitors. His famous book on muscle-building, Ideal Physical Culture: And the Truth About the Strong Man, was published in 1900. In it, Bankier challenged German rival Eugen Sandow to a series of competitions in wrestling, running, jumping and weightlifting. Sandow.
More details about Oor William here https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/past-times/3504146/strongman-william-bankier/
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