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"Galen Gough, October 5, 1923." The Miracle Strong Man under two tons of fun outside the State, War and Navy building in Washington, D.C. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.
The passenger in the Durant looks less like a man wrapped up in a Fun Fest and more like a guy who's worried about running over someone.
Anyone heavy into physics in the crowd here that could weigh in with a guesstimate of the actual poundage that would be applied by that one tire and consequently dispersed by the 2x12? Given the engine being somewhat directly over his chest, we know it'd be more than just one fourth of the total.
Dave, you were pretty close with your guesstimate of two tons. I can only see two people in the car in the photo - maybe there are really small people in the back seat.
Washington Post, Oct 6, 1923
Lets Auto Run Over Him
Former Marine Does Stunt Twice in a Day
For "Fun Fest"Run over by automobiles 1,001 times, Galen Gotch, former marine and strong man, who is appearing nightly at the Gavel Club's "Fun Fest" at the Coliseum, each time has escaped unhurt.
Before several thousand persons on E street yesterday, Gotch permitted a seven-passenger sedan to run over his body. Later he repeated the stunt in front of the State, War and Navy building.
The automobile weighed 2,800 pounds and five passengers, 700 pounds.
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