Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-08-19

AANht " nfuuNM
Mons. De Lave performed The feat Of cross
ing the Genesee River On tight rope at Roch-
ester on the 10th, in tho presence Of some
$4,000 spectators The rope, considerably
si .Hor than the one used by Blondin at Mag
ara, is stretched from the caves of a saw mill on
the brink Of the high falls and the other end is
secured at least thirty feet above the falls.--
The distance across is 7OO feet, the DETECTION
Of the rope is fifteen feet from a straight line,
and the lowest point is elevated ITO feet above
the water The roIe passes obliquoly over the
falls, and in welking from east to west the
performer is obliged to ascend in front Of, and
divectly over the principal sheet OF water-a
feat which the Democrat says might well appal
man OF weak or unsteady nerves.
Soon after p. NJ the crowd was drenched
10y what at first appeared to be only slight
shower, but which soon became severe thun
derstorm, lasting nearly an hour, by which
millinery goods suffered to a frightluI extent.
When it was over De Lave appeared dressed
in tights, velvet jacket, and a velvet hat
gaily decorated with feathers The Democrat
says:
DE Lave taking up his pole turned to the
spectators and having bowed gracefully round,
started boldly out ON his perilous walk. He
had proceeded but a short distance, when II
became apparent that the rope was not proper
ly puyed 1t swayed from side to side with a
sort OF weaving molten and to so great an eN-
lent as to excite lively apprehension, even
among the coolest of spectators. DE Lave
| himself seemed to be effected less than anybody
else, but he evidently founi it necessary to use
| great caution. Once or twice he was obliged
to stop short, but he never lost his balance for
a moment, aud maintained throughout the ut
most selfpOssCssiOn. Some expected to see
him quail he reached the sheet of water
! pouring over the rocky prccip.ce, but lac did
| not, although his position was one of extreme
| hazard. lie walked calmly over the roaring
cataract, and reached the roof Of the $ W mill
amid the dealening cheers Of the multitude
| who watched his progress. lie remained on
! the roof the building not far from five minutes,
and then started on his return. About half
of the way across he suddenly dropped astridc
! of the rope, and then extended himself at full
| length on his back, after which he recovered
/ his Upright position again. and, after sitting a
| few seconds, dropped on hls breast He then
rose to his feet and stood on one leg for some
! time. Resuming his walk he speedily regain.
| the east bank and was received with thunders
| of applause Several individuals became SO
much excited that they seized him and carried
HIM on their shoulders off the ground lie did
not exhibit any particular evidence of wcarl.
ness, and we have no doubt he could have walk
cd twice the distance, even on a rope as un.
steady as his
! Mons Blondin was among the spectators
aud it is stated was ncreduous as to the sue
cess Of his tight rope rival.
In making some of the arrangements for
seeing De Laye's feat from below the falls,
Eugene Oyiatt son of W. D. Oviatt, Ex Chief
of Police, was injured, it is feared, fatally, by
the falling Of stone from the bank. The
young man was struck ON the head and at last
| accnunt had shown no sign Of consciousness