Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-07-06
HONS, BlOndOn's Great Feat at
Niagara Falls.


Niagara Falls.
When we reached the scence of Mons. |
BLoNDIN's exploit, about mile below the |
Falls, yesterday afternoon, at half past three
O'Clock, an immense crowd Of people thronged
the banks Of the river on either side, for
some distance above and below the cable
The end on the American side was in an en-
closure known as Whites Pleasure Grounds,
which are much frequented on account OF
the admirable points for viewing the Falls on
the one hand and the Suspension Bridge
and river scenery on the other. A thousand
or more people paid admission to the grounds,
which would afford good stand points to
witness the feat for many thousands, and
Mons. Blondin here gave one of his tight
rope performances, prior to undertaking the
seemingly hazardous passage. A band of
music enlivened the scene and aided in dis
sipating the feeling Of terror and awe with
which the undertaking was surrounded.
On the Canada shore an enclosure was
formed between the road, which at this point
runs along the precipice n couple of rods
from the brink, within which the end of the
cable was secured. All around wero stag
ings, erected to enable people to get good
view of the affair, but the entrance charges
were so eXtortionate that few availed them
selves Of the facilities provided In the i'm
mediate vicinity were booths for dispensing
edlbles and imbbables, with circus side
show or two, but were not very extensively
patronized, the cableistic attractions Of
Mons. Blondin overpowering the ordinary
curiosity of promiscuous crowd, which
was not nearly so large as we anticipated,
the total number Of spectators on both banks
not exceeding ten thousand. While the vast
audience, ranged round the grandest ampi-
theatre man ever exhibited his puney skill
and courage in, were waiting, the excitement
growing momentarily more intense, Blondln
was caperng before an audience in the grove
on Whites Pleasure Grounds. Sporting
men betted on the result OF his performance,
the odds being in his favor. The bands OF
music in attendance played as if they were
irving to blow their brains out, and the
roughs had muss OF two by way Of amuse-
ment, to pass Of the time.
The cable is two inches in diameter, and
nearly six in circumference. 1t was firmly
anchored at each end, and was guyed by
smaller ropes stretching at regular intervals
on both sides to the shores, with stay ropes
running perpendicularly to the waters edge
from the cable, and firmly fastened to rocks
The guys were made fast to trees on the
bank, and from an inequality in fastening,
drew the cable slightly from straight line.
The depression of the cable at the centre
from the lastenings on shore was about sew
enty-fve feet, though still hundred ieet
above the water. The banks are not over
two hundred feet in height above the river
at the brink of the perpendicular part, the
ground gradually rising, on both shores, to
about fifty feet higher. The distance across
is over one-fifth Of a mile. All who have
been to the Falls, will readily understand
from our brief description OF the situation
the peculiar and exciting nature OF the ex'
plot. ,.,
While waiting for Blondin, the little
steamer Maid of the Mist, with numerous
passengers, passed down beneath the cable t'
: her wharf, ON the American shore. At pre-
; cisely five O'Clock, Mons. Blondln appeared
at the cable, on the American side. FrUn
the opposite shore he looked like child
He is a blonde in complexion, only l4C
! pounds in weight, though sinewy ana agll'
as an athlete. Ills balance pole weighs jus
forty-fve pounds. Making his bow to tn
crowd with Gallo politeness, amid n salv'
of hurrahs and bursts OF music, he seppe'
firmly upon TIC cable, and began to descen'
i in inclination, rapidly at times, then Slowly
a until about two hundred feet out, when h
. sat down, lay at full length upon the rope
= stood upon one foot, and performed othe
tricks of the rope dancer
The rope betrayed his presence upon it b
# slight tremor only. There was no sway
Q ing, Notwithstanding strong wind bleN
!. down the gorge When about one,iourt
y the way over, he again sat down, and wait
/ e a. 49, e - gf IN
d meath him, when he dropped a cord to he
10 deck, and drew up a small bottle OF winl
y which he drank, then cast the empty bott
away and continued his course. The Su
- was glowing and fervid, and he advance
b directly towards it, which was serious en-
!. barrassment, US il dazzled his eyes. h
D was dressed in flesh colored tights, aud b
m girdle and cOrOnet, Of glittering paste, shoI
In the sunlight with extreme brilliancy
As he gradually approached the Canad
shore, he grew into mans proportions. b
stepped along firmly and calmly, and can
rapidly to the shore, where he was greet'
t with cheers, and conducted to platform a
:, iacent, where most Of the Buffalo represe
le tatiyes Of the press were seated Ho pa
took with his friends OF refreshments ia
% nished by Mr.. Kavanagh Of the Great We
tern Hotel, and then addressed the crow
,e stating that collection would now be TAX
~ up for him, when he would return across {
OF cable. lie was received with the utmost e
% thusiasm, the daring exploit safely over, al
he appeared as cool and unconcerned as thou
ie the feat was of ordinary moment. He W
= fifteen minutes crossing, including all sto
= after leaving shore. After about hall
10 hours delay, he again appeared, and stAti
that he would cross quicker than any
ne could go round by the bridge, boldly set 2
on his return. Going back was easier th
o. coming, as he had the sun behind him,
] stead Of gl0Weripg In his eyes. hs stOPF