Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-08-25
THE TWO GREAT ROPE
WALKERS.
MONS. BLONDIN CROSSES THE NIAGARA
WITH MAN ON HIS BACK.
Correspondence of the Press and Tribune. !

Correspondence OF the Press and Tribune.
NIAGARA FALLS. AUGUST II, 1859.
Probably the most wonderful display of
nerve--not courage-eyer attempted in
this or any other country, was exhibited
at this place to-day. Monsieur Blcndln,
otherwise j. f, Gravelet, actually perform
ed the remarkable feat, as he advertised
he would, of carrying a man on his hack
across the chasm of the Niagara river, on
a tight rope at an elevation varying from
10 to 100 feet from the water. The place
where this display took place is between
the Falls and Suspension Bridge, about an
equal distance from either. The distances
across the chasm ~ eleven hundred feet
from one summit to the other. Across this,
you have seen it before announced in the
papers, Mons. Blondin has extended a rope
about two inches in diamerter, drawn to
Its utmost tension. This rope is SO sup
ported by guys reaching out from the pre-
clpitous of the river as to prevent any great
vibration or action. He has crossed this,
as you are aware, several times-dlone
But rivals sprang up. A man advertised
that he would perform the same remarka-
bic feat at Genesee Falls, at Rochester, and
he done 1t. This was enough. Blondin
could not brook rival any more than the
heroes of old, and so he announced that
he would carry man weighing l45 pounds
across this fearful chasm on bis shoulders:
and lie did IT, The announcement of this
unheard of performance drew together an
immense concourse of people from all
parts OF the country. amounting in the ag-
gregate, on both sides of the river, to
nearly if not quite twenty thousand. Long
before the time named for the performance
to come off, both SUBMITS, for at least half
a mile up and down the river, were cover
ed with the curious who seemed perfectly
willing TO endure the crowd and the in
tense heat in order to witness this perilous
and fool hardy performance. AT each end
of the rope the grounds were enclosed and
seats erected, for an entrance to which,
twenty five cents was charged, with an
additional quarter fora seat. There could
not have been less than three thousand
admissions at this price on the American
side, with prehaps half as many more IN
side the enclosure on the opposite cliff, thus
givinga very handsome sum to the intrepid
Frenchman. AT about half past four Mon
seur appeared at the embarcation on the
American side, and after short delay, he
started for the Canada shore, for the pur-
pose, as he stated, of bringing his friend
over, who awaited him in Canada" Du-
ring his walk over he performed various
feats, such as standing on his head, turn
ing summersets, laying down, hanging by
his hands and feet, and all the remarkable
feats accomplished by-tight rope dancers,
and with as much ease and dexterity. He
reached the opposite side in ten minus
from the time of starting, and was received
by the crowd with immense applause
After remaining in Canada for about a
half an hour, he again appeared with his
friend, who proved to be his agent. named
Harry M. Colcord, and who weighs Just
l45 pounds, FIVE pounds more than Blon-
din. After a little delay, Colcord was
strapped to his back, and thus they start
ed. 1t was an exciting moment. and men
present--b~ave, stout heartei men--turn
ed away unable to look with composare up
on the scene before them. Biondin dis
played not the least ;repidatcn or excite
ment. He moved slowly, cautiously. bu.
with great tirmness. After proceeding
about one quarter the distance, he lowered
his burden upon the rope and rested for a
time, and this he continued to do at inter
walls. until he finally reached the American
side. The passage was accomplished il
just .birty-four minutes. and you may be
sure it was an anxious thirty-four minutes
to all who witnessed it. When he wa:
safely on terra firma all were wild with ex-
element. the men shouted, the ladies
screamed with very delight. Blondin and
bis fellow voyager Were caught upon the
shoulders of friends and borne to their ca
rage. where they stood and received the
congratulations of the people. which were
showered upon them with more cordially
than l ever saw manifested toward politi-
clan, statesman or warrior.
| Blondin is now the man of the hour
Who will be the next customer?
VAN
From WashinC tn0