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


BLoNDGN AT THE FALLs-HE CARRIES A MAN
AoRoss.-The disbelieved statements and promi
ses Of NJ. BLoNpIN that he would cross Niagara
Falls on Wednesday last with man on his back
have been fulfilled to the letter. On tina, day he
carried NJ. CoLcoRD, his agent, from the Canada
to the American shore in the presence of many
thousands of spectators. Let no one ever again
doubt the power Of BLoNDiN to do any thing on
earth If he promises to cross the rope and wind
it up after him as he goes along or to climb ten
foot pole and draw it up to 60 ten feet higher be-
eve him, for he will do it. lfho engages to eros,
on the rope, equipped like the "Zouave' who yes
erday paraded our streets playing on tue violin
drum, cymbals aud bell at ore and the same time
with enough baggage on him to load down o
camel and engages to play upon all the instru
ments while he hangs to the rope with his teeth
turns backward somersauls, 30, never for mo
ment doubt his ability to do it,
But to the performance of Wednesday. 1t is
difficult TO decide which had the most courage
BLoNDIN or CoLcoED. The Buffalo Express o.
yesterday morning says
BlOudIn trst crossed from the American side
alone. performing during the passage most of the
daring ieats described in our account OF his cross
| ing on the ID inst. After a shortest on the Can
| adlau shore, he started upon his return, with Nj
| COcOid his agent, clinging to his back. From
| his shoulders two OOped cords were suspended by
his side, in which the legs OF the daring ridei
were swung, while his arms We're Olagped qbOu
| Blondins neck. His position was such that Il
| the distance from shore to shore lie could hardly
1 be seen, and when the adventurCrs started upOI
their terrible journey, bets were freely exchanged
| among the spectators an this side as to whether
| BOndin was alone or accompanied according tC
programme He stepped out so brlskly aud firm
! ly that it seemed impossible that his back wa
| freghted with living load. But as lie advanced
! the rider became more clearly distinguished, auc
while all doubts disappeared, the trembling ankle
| ty Of the lockers on was painfully increased
About an eighth Of tho dsta go was travelled
without any halt or sign ui fatigue. Then hloudI
came TO a stop, and Cocord, slipping his leg
from their sings, dropped his feet upon the rope
aud stood supporting himself with his hands up
on BlOnGns shoulders while the latter rested
| The halt was, perhaps, of a moments duration
when Cocord again mounted to his seat, regaiuinl
it apparently with the utmost ease, and altmg VIII
all the self posse sion of Bondin himself, Atte
| this the hRts and resting spells were frequent th
length of the journey and the weight OF his Loaf
telling upon even the iron nerve and muscle {
Bondin. Several times the spectators were tel
Iled by seeing the rope tlemhle aud sway irot
some cause, aud from apparent signs OF cNhaus
ton in Blondn Whether these latter were as
sumcd or real, II was impossible TO say, but es
pecally ut the centre, where the rope ~ eptirel
Clear aud without guys, he shook aud staggere
in a manner to cause the stoutest neryed anon
the spectators to shudder and turn pale The lat
ter half Of the journey was performed with iewc
rests han the irst, and the last stage was one q
almost desperate length; and Blondn reached th
end of his terrible trip by an almost superhuma
effort of determined will When he was hlrl
upon tcrra frlna, the pont up excitement OF th
crowd burst forth in deaiening cheers and tn
widest demonstrations, and the two heroes, BIon
din and Colcord, were seized aud born away up
on the shoulders of he crazy multitude.