Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-08-22
Another Rope-waiking Fat.

Ell ffttin tne caves OF u buW-mtb un tuo WoEt biUo
If the river. jus. above the brink Of the high falls
in this city, TO point in Falls Field, ON the oppo-
site side III the river nome distance below tho falls.
The saw.nll stands upon the brink Ut tho eeata-
rnct and the caves are about twenty feet nbOve
the edge,f the prccpce. The level ii Falls Field,
at the place where the other end Of the rope is
secured il at least thirty feet above the falls, and
the DETECTION Of tho rope is not far from fifteen
feet from a straight line between the two points
The falls are ninety-six feet in height 10 that the
lowest point the rope must be elevated one hun
dred and ten feet above the water.
The distance across cannot be far from
hundred feet 1t may be more than that, but ns
we have not measured it prefer to be the
safe sac. The rope passes obliquey over the
falls, aud in walking il from east to west the per-
former is obliged to ascend in front Of and direct
over tho principal sheet Of water--a feat which
night well appal u man OF weak unsteady nerves.
The weather until about three o'clock was ex-
trenely pleasant, but about that hour gathering
clouds Of p,rtentous aspect threatened to mar the
beauty OF the spectacle, aud shortly afervard
great drops Of rain began to fall. Many sought
shelter Mt once. but the great minority Thought
ly slight shower was going t" occur, and remain
ed on the ground. Unfortunately. however, the
rain proved more serious than was anticipated
1t eliminated in severe thunder storm, which
speedily drcnchcd the multitude in very uncom-
Portable manner; md it lasted yearly an hour, du-
ring whch most OF ladies had no protection other
than their parnsols, and the gentlemen none at all
Millinery goods suffered TO a frghtiul extent and
the total damage in this particular -m,st have n
mounted to several thousand dollars. Galy drcs-
sed womct, who came upon the ground in the full
glory OF fashion. presented in MACY instances IL
most woelnl and bedrngglei appearance. Their
cloths hung limp anl dampy about them, while
bonnct.. feathers AMI fancy trimmings generally
soaked beyond the hope of rccuperation.
Everything must have end, and SO Mt last
4. t. -.
spendar about 4 o'clock, AMI the people who Lad
ronght insufficient shelter from the flood beneath
benches, on tho lee side of fences. and wherever
they thought drop of rain might be escaped he.
gan t. seek their elevated seats Mt the edge of the
bank. Many Of the crackers prophesed that DE
Lave would make the rnin storm an excuse for not
appearing, but all doubts on that score were soon
JisIelltd The cry. 'he is coming" put every
body tho alert, nnd ut about 10 minutes past !
O'clock. DE Lave made his appearance, dressed in
tights with velvet jnrkct such M il worn by
ti4h,-rnpe performers. ordinarily. lI6 wore On his
heal n velvet bat. gaily decorated with ribbons
An immediate rush was mnle to the end Of the
rope hg the pcuple who hnd not scuurcl seats, and
it was some time before the police could force the
crowd 10 sand back. but at length order was
measnrablv restored. aud Dc Lave, taking up his
pole, turncd tn the spectators, and having bowed
cacciu!ly around, stated boldly cut his peril
ons walk. lie hal proceeded bat a short distance,
when il bccame apparent that the rope was not
properly guych. 1t swaycd from side to side with
II sort Of weaving motion. and to 10 great an ex-
tent to excite lively apprehension. even among
tue cnoles, Of the spectators. De Lave himself
seemed to be affected less than anybody else, but
he evidently found it necessary to Use great eau
ton.
Once twice he was obliged b. stop Short hut
hr nr,er lost his balance inr NOM ent. aud main
tanned throughout the utmost self-possession.
Some cxl ectcl To him qunil NJ he rear,'"d the
sheet oi water pouring over tho rocky preclplce,
but he did MOI, although his position was appa-
,enlly Of extreme hazard. I,e walked calm
" over the roaring cataract. and reached the roof
Of the saw-mill amid the deaening cheefs of the
multiu,c who watched his progress. He remain
ed on ,l,c r.ol Of the building not far from five
m!nufe>. aud then started on his return. About
half OF tho way across he suddenly dropped
trile # tie rope. and there extended himself ut
fuil length nn his back. after which he reeoNcrel
his upright position again. aad,nit sitting lew
.rcon l.. dropped on his breast. He then ros, t.
his feet aud stood "n one Lex for some tme. Rcsn.
m,ng has walk, he speedily reganod the east bank
and was received with thunarrs ofapplause. Sew
cral ind, iluals hcoame much excited that
they seized him and carried him On their
shoulders III The ground. lie did not EXHIBIT
any particular evidence col weuriness, and we
have no Il ubt he could have wnlkcd twice the dis.
lance, eycn IN II rope rs unsteady IA this.
i,,e,I s,,., ,r,,, thn, IF p'nnj, VA, 49,, h,,'.
M ' ",raa' r,,, ,ba s;i r
u" ",. " ",', ,a,;"r ,,a w. :"
Wv ,a,'v' we ST., L,,D p,,I;,. ~, ,i'"'
~ "'n"! p,'J' "'"'' ""n wv - p,;,
! fran the Shore while that ON which De Lave
m:.n'u "o'Je ~ '.,S'
o.'1s ',"'' n"n,s '" uo'e'' III we ~! 'ae
y, ,a , "'"o. 'i"'"" "" "',I I "v'
"ln li,' "nVr5 .han n,pfI '"O II ID ''''-
,i ''' ' ,ns, '.' 49,