Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-03-12
Daring Feat at Niagara.

CROSSING ON STILTs sABovETnE FALLS.
a correspondent of the Chicago Press and
Tribune gives the following particulars of
the recent insane hazard at Niagara Falls,
of Signor Gaspa Morclli, alias Andrew
Grecnleaf, daredevil va ,kec boy, who,
for wager of one thousand dollars, on
Monday week actually crossed Niagara river,
walking upon stills, between Goat Island
and the Falls. This writer says:
Punctually at Z, Morelli appeared in
fine spirits and condition He had with
him pair of stiItsa sabout = feet long. made
of wrought iron, fiat, sharp edged and poin-
ted-shapcd, in fact, almost precisely like
double,edgcd dagger. These were firm
ly lashcd to his legs, and he walked towards
the terrible river with confdng smile.
The morning was clear and cold, but he
was attircd very lightly, in dress not un-
usually worn by professional gymuasts. At
ten minutes past seven, he stepped into the
water, which in another moment was boil
ing, surging, and rushing beneath his feet.
The boldest of the lockers on held his breath
IN suspense, as the daring man receded
from shore. He, alone, seemed unmoved,
and passed on, slowly and carefully, avoid
hiding the largest rocks, which were made
apparent by the eddying current. His
steps at first were very short and carefully
made, but afterwards became boldcr and
longer
The stills, of course, were placcd that
the current struck only against their sharp
edges, and produced but little effect; but
the danger from the sunkcn rocks, and the
conviction that single false step would
send him to death, produced feeling that
was horribly painful. Once or twice he
seemed to lose his balance, and sickcning
shuddcr run through each one of the be-
holders. Recovering himself, he still kept
on--still reccded, until to our straining
eyes nc couidscarcely be distinguished from
the foaming waters.
The middle of the river WIS attained at
last; hours seem to have fed, but it was
barely seventeen minutes Stree he let the
shore. AS he approached the deepest and
most dangerous part of his route, the sus-
pensc became more fearfulIy intense. No
word was spoken, except that one man offer
ell another five dollars for moments use
of his lorgnettc, which offer passed unheed-
ed. just as Morclli reached the swiftest
anu uccpeSI portlOh OF tne current. lie seem
ed to totter-sink he threw up his arms! |!
l closed my eyes. Opening them few mo-
mentS more, and he reached the canadian
bank--and feel exhausted into the arms of
two men who were waiting for him.
At this hour 3 p. m, Ire has nearly re.
covered, and though still in bed, receives
the congratulations of dozens of visitors
who come pouring in. lie left the Amer
ican shore 900 feet above the fall, and came
out about l, 900 feet above the Canadian.
The money has already becn handed over
% hihashnd all willagrec that it was fairly
won.
Z" Do youkccpnoils horc ?"asked sleepy
looking lad, walking into hardware shop
the other day. "Yes," replied the gentle
manly proprietor, eve keep all kinds of
nails. What kind will you have, sir, and.
how many" "Wcll," said the boy, sliding
towards the door, "I'll take pound of
Gnecrnails, and abou: pound and h0lfof
too,naiis,"