"I have reviewed the sefer haTur one hundred and one times." These words were uttered by the Maharsham himself. The fact was not known to many and would probably have remained a secret were it not for the incident that occurred during his illness.
Lying weak on his sickbed, the Maharsham caught wind of an argument in learning taking place between the two talmidim who had come to visit him. Speaking in whispers so as not to disturb the rov, the two began to argue whether nowadays one should give matnos kehuno or if it would be considered an act driven by pride (mechezi keyoharo).
From his bed the Maharsham murmured to himself that the answer can be found in Darchei Moshe, Hilchos Mezuzoh, whereupon the startled talmidim became worried that he was delirious and talking out of context, for what did their point have to do with hilchos mezuzoh?
Their discussion continued and again the Maharsham asked them if they had looked up the sefer he had told them. Attempting to explain the issue brought the same reply from the rov until one of the talmidim agreed. To their immense surprise they found a clear explanation exactly where they had been told to look. Astounded by his thorough knowledge and clarity of mind despite his weakened body, those who were present asked him, "Rabbeinu, how is it possible to remember all the tiny writing of the commentaries of the Tur?"
"Have a look at what I have written in the back cover of my own Tur," replied the rov. Opening the sefer they found inscribed in the Maharsham's handwriting, "Today I managed be'ezras Hashem to finish the Tur one hundred and one times." The above story is told by his talmid R' Meir Shapira, rov of Lublin and rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin.
Naturally his time was fully devoted to Torah learning, but his kind heart compelled him to steal just a bit of his time to go out into his yard every morning to throw seeds and crumbs to the waiting birds and fowl.
He also invested much effort on behalf of his brethren in the Austrian army, trying to acquire a few days off for the yomim tovim. Much of his precious time was sacrificed for this task, usually resulting in success.
On one occasion the Maharsham went as usual to a certain officer who this time refused to accede to his request. The Maharsham continued to plead and cajole, describing what a Jewish home would look like on Yom Tov without the head of the household -- who would make kiddush and say hamotzi, who would recount the history of the festival, who would teach the children, answer their questions and test their knowledge etc.
His entreaties fell on deaf ears; the officer obstinately refused to give in. Seeing he was getting nowhere, the Maharsham looked the officer in the eye, warning him, "In the end you will regret your wickedness," and left.
A few days later, the aforementioned sergeant was seriously injured in an accident. He
