The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-03
PROGRESS OF THE CONTEST BETWEEN
BLONDIN AND DELAVE.
NIGHT WALKING AT NIAGARA AND DINING AT RoCHEsTE
DREADFUL ACCIDENT.
81.

From the Buffalo Courierl
The sun had now hid himself from view. Hurry
ing to and fro the peoples the chief subject of
conversation is BlOndin. We passed into the
closure where Bondin had gone time previ-
The grounds well illuminated by loco
motive lamps, and the opposite side of the river
also lighted up for considerable extent. The
Maid Of the Mist, all a-blaze with lights, was pass
ing up and down the river. Blondn made due
preparations dressed himsefi in linen suit with
his trock he has often worn, armed himself with
his balancing-pole, to which he had attached some
brilliant lights of various colors, and then sending
forth rocket, which pierced far up into the deep
blue, he commenced his ''evening walk"
1t was little past o'clock he proceeded rapidly
down the rope, and distinctly visible upon
either side. Unfortunately the light upon one end
of the pole became detached and fell into the river.
The sight was not pretty as it would have been
had not this occurred. When about midway he
took seat to rest or perhaps get better view of
the scene. Not satisfied with beholding things
above and around him, he finally inverted himself
and looked down into the water. 1t was so dark,
we think, he did not see much. Standing on his
head at night on a rope over the chasm of Niagara
must be sport! Arising, he passed on. Soon after
the other light fell from his pole, and Blondin was
left in impenetrable darkness. Above, around,
beneath, all was dark.
Nothing more was heard or seen of him until
shout from the opposite shore announced that he
had safely crossed the food. At little after he
started on his return, surrounded with fireworks
consisting OF Roman candles, which gave pleasing
When about midway he laid down his pole, and
stood up erect-inverted. Then he suspended him
self below the rope bv the heels, and there he re-
mained drumming on his chest until his camp-fres
were all extiDguished. There he was left, as bo-
fore, in utter darkness. live Yankee, who was
standing by, said he wondered if he would "stay
there for aers.'
A shout on the bank announced his safe arrival
home.
FIR M the Rochester Democrat, Sept /.
The number of spectators at tIeneSeC Fails yes
terday was scarcely large at the last perform
ance given by De Lave, though there must have
been ten or twelve thousand people present. The
programme promulgated previously carried
out with entire success. De Lave appeared at
o'clock precisely, having strapped on his back
chair and salver, upon which were a lot of small
cakes which were to serve as his lunch. He I'M
mediaely took up his pole and started out When
about the middle of the chasm he stopped and sat
down. Taking the chair from his back, he adjust
cd 1t on the rope, seated himself in it, and COM
posedly ate up the cakes from the salver, which
lay in his lap during the operation.
Having concluded his meal he threw overheard
his chair and saver and proceeded to the west side
of the river, stopping once or twice to lie down.
stand on one foot, etc. After delay of ten minutes
he started out again. till he got over the brink of
the Falls, and then he carried out his promise to
lower himself down to the sheet of water and dip
draught from the food. He tied his balance pole
to the rope Sided down and took drink, and then
returned to the rope above with great ease.
A YOUNG MAN OVER THE FALLS.
From the Rochester Democrat, Sept. l.
We regret to announce fatal accident, occurring
through carelessness in walking about the banks OF
the river yesterday, while Mons. De Lave was going
through with his performances on the rope. The
victim was young man named William +. Jenni-
son, employed as clerk in the once ana warehouse
of Joshua Eaton, at Charlotte. He came up to the
city in the morning. with some companions, to see
De Lave walk, and after taking dinner at hotel
and visiting several places about town, got separa-
ed from the rest of his party, and the next that is
known of his movements, he was seen near the saw