The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-07-19
Monsieur BlOniin's Exploits on the Tight
Rope.
Core spondence OF the Detroit Free Press.
SrSPESSroS RRIDGP July IA


SUSPENSION BRIDGE, July Il, 1859.
left Windsor last "Wednesday afternoon. at
leo. with train containing about one hundred
and fifty passengers, in the charge of Conductor
Wiley. onleaying. the train was twenty minutes
LATE and there was nothing occurred between
Windsor and Suspension Bridge 10 retard the
progress of the train, which is a very rare occur
renee on railroad, so that We arrived on time 10
a second Now for Mons. Blondin, the most
daring man of his day. From six o'clock on
Thursday morning until four in the afternoon,
there was perfect avalanche of people arriving
from all directions by regular and special trains 10
witness what had been announced a. the las and
most intrepid feat At three O'Clock L. NJ, the
crowd began 10 assemble, 10 witness Blondin
performance on the rope. and at five O'Clock
every available tree stump. ledge or spot where a
view of the rope could be obtained on either side
of the river, was occupied by anxious gaZers for
a hall a mile above and below the rope. great
number OF stands had also been erected on each
bank of the river, which were crowded 10 excess.
Al five O'Clock Blondin apr cared on the rope, on
the American side, amidst the cheers of the ex-
cited multitude. He started for Canda, JcGlkiRq
bdckeIrds, having with him his balance pole.
which is thirty feet long. He stopped when
about one-third of the way out, and sat down 10
rest for few moments, when lie again started.
After arriving midway across, he stopped again,
sat down. and sigualed the little steamer Maid of
the Mist which came directly under where he
sat. Captain Travis, the great pistol shot, was
abOrrd the steamer, according 10 an agreement,
and Blondin held out his hat and allowed HIM 10
perforate il with bullet from the deck of the
| vessel He then lowered the hat, with an empty
bottle, by cord TO the boat, and again proceed
ell onward. When within about three hundred
Of 81. /, h.al l,a
rope perfectly straight, with his balance pole
across his breast. After a moments rest he rose
and started again, arriving safely on the Canada
shore, having been twenty-Sevcn minutes gong
across. On arriving he was received with deaf
ening cheers, and every person who could get
10 him grasped his hand in token Of their delight
and satisfaction a; his performance. He then
got into 4 carriage and drove among the crowd,
making "A collection and thankfully receiving
what any person chose 10 donate. lie thanked
them for whatever they gave, saying, me can't
speak good Enli-h; mes very mush obliged. l.
20 back in few mint Wit one wheels-barror
den alrs right" In about twenty minutes he
appeared from his dressing-room, tumbing abou,
like monkey, dressed in the character of Jocko
the Brazilian ape. He soon started with Il
wheel-barrow for the American side, the barrow
being fastened by the handles 10 a belt which he
wore around his waist, carrying his balance pole
in his hand. The wheel of the barrow had a
ilange on each side 10 prevent lis coming off the
rope. He stopped three times on his journey to
rest, bat could not sit down. owing 10 the bar.
row being 50 fastened to his waist. The time
occupied in going back was thirty-one minutes.
There was present, TO witness the exhibition,
a very fine fire compai. from Philadelphia ac
companied Icy fine brass band. The stories
that have been published concerning the rope
are incorrect. The rope is two inches in diane
ter, and the guys are eighteen feet apart through
out the entire length OF the rope, there being nc
space Of "A hundred and twenty feet midway a.
has been reported The rope is seventy-two feet
lower in the centre than at each end
JONAH