Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-07-06
A Daring Deed.
Blendin's Tight Repe Feat.
(Prom the New York Tribune Of July I. ]


(Prom the New York Tribune Of July IL
NIAGARA FALLs. June 80. 1859.
This afternoon, M. Emile Blondin success
fully accomplished the terrific undertaking
of crossing the Niagara River on tight
rope, at a height one hundred and ffty-one
feet above the rushing torrent helow. As
q most fool hardy exploit, this feat has sell
dom been equsled, and a. an exhibition of
nerve, it stands without . parallel.
When M. Blondin went to Niagara early
in the present month to make preparations
for his late achievement, the persons to
whom he first mentioned his plan of cross
ing the river on rope, very naturally re-
garded him as mailman but they little
knew the determined character of tho
little Frenchman. After number of days,
they were convinced that he really intend
ed to make the attempt he spoke Of, and
then they looked on him with wonder. Hav-
ing calculated the length of the rope, he at
once ordered it. from New York. and while
awaiting its coming he set himself about his
anchor one end of his cord on Goat Island,
and stretch it thence to the bank near the
Clifton House, right across through the
jaws Of the Horse Shoes Falls He did not
anticipate any danger from the mist and
spray which would keep the rope constant
ly wet, and which might partially obscure
his vision. He thought it quite easy to
preserve bis equanimity even in the very
mouth Of the contract, and had no thought
that his self-possession would be in the least
disturbed by its terrific roar. His plan of
building his frail bridge between these two
points, was, however, frustrated by the
owners of Goat Island. The Messrs. Porter
refused him permission to fix the end Of his
rope on the Island, on the plea that they
would not1be acce sorry to HE death, which
they regarded as a. sured in the event Of
his making the fearful trial. Thus rebuffed
NJ. Blondin was compelled to look out q
new place, for he had no idea of giving up
his scheme. He at last Pitched upon spot
half way between the falls and the Suspen.
sion Bridge, being mile and quarter be.
low the falls. At this point on the Can
ada shore is ITO feet high, and on the
American side is 100 feet above the water
The distance in straight line from the two
points were it would necessary to fix the
rope is q triHe over LOO feet. So heavy a
rope as would be strong enough to sustain
its own weight acro-s SO wide chssm,
would NECESSARILY have wide DETECTION
from perfectly straight line. N. Blondin
estimated that it would Sag more than
fifty feet in the middle, 60 that instead of
having level road to walk, he would
have down hill travel at the commence
ment of his Tourney, and, of course. an up
hill walk as soon as he passed the middle
of the rope
Several days were passed in getting .
small rope, seven eighths ofan inch in di-
ameter, across the river it was ct last
accomplished by putting the end in small
boat above the point it was desired to reach
and paying out the rope as two stout row.
ers urged the boat to the opposite side
Some idea may be formed Of the swiftness
of the current at this place, when it is stat
ed that though the boat started half mile
above the desired spot, the rowers were
barely able by the most strenuous exertions
to accomplish the l,lOO feet before they
were swept down to the proper point. This
small rope was several times broken. but
wssl finally safely stretched from bank to
bank.
The large rope was delayed week or
two beyond the appointed time, but finally
reached Niagara Falls village ON Wednes-
Gay, the 22d, when it was placed on . cart
surmounted with flag, and driven in tri-
umph through the town. 1t is three and q
quarter inches in diameter, 10 1900 feet
long. and, with the 2,7OO feet of guy.ropes
necessary to steady it, cost $3.50. Il was
made in two sections, and was spliced by an
opportune sailor who happened to be at the
village. The day after it WAS spliced, it
was fastened to the small rope that was al
ready spanning the gull, and hauled across.
While in the act of performing this. Mons.
Blondin was beset with some difficulties,
which he overcome in the most cool and
daring manner. As before stated, he used
the small cable to draw the large one over.
When the large cable had been drawn TO
within 200 or 500 feet of the Canadian
bank. the ANAL rope gave signs of brsoking
under the immense weight 81 the large %.
BILE, and it was feared it would not Be- of
sufficient strength 70 support the large rope
to the reach Of the operators on the bank.
Had the rope broken. all their previous Ia
Dor had been In vain. In this crisis n,
|Blendin rushed to the rescue Of his treas.
ured rope attaching cord to bis body. he
went out on the small rope TIL he came to
the large one. to which he fastened another
and stronger rope. by which the main cable
WAS OF last safely hauled ashore. The shore
was lined with astonished spectators. Who
witnessed this hazardous feat, and who were
thus ct once cured Of al their skepticism a.
to n. Blondins ability to walk accross tho
river, or do anything else on rope that he
might see fit to undertake Everything was
now in readiness, and the day for the grand
experiment was fixed for Thursdav. the
3Oth of June.
The time intervening between the fixing
Of the main cable and the day Of the per-
torrance Of the feat, was occupied In last. |
ening number Of guy-ropes to the rocks |
and to trees. and other immovabls psins On |
the shorc from the main rope, the object be- |
ing of course to % steady the large rope q
to render it - drm - was consistent with |
the unstable nature Of the slender pathway.
The stsadying ropes were fastened every |
eighteen feet along the large one, twenty |
nine OF them leading TO the Canada shore. |
and twenty-five to the American bank
Besides these, four heavy ropss, nearly the |
size Of the main one were attached 6 IL Ct /
. distance OF two hundred feet from each |
other, and descended thenos to huge rocks |
on the very edge Of the river far belew.-I
Thus, Il will be seen that n. Blondin having |
once resolved TO undertake the feet ran no |
unnecessary risk. bat made hi prsearious |
promenade = safs q pessibDe When he
whole was In readinss e vas found tkak /
the 4saeetiea ftsm sttei4ht line vos n ~ |
nid4lo y he ssps, aatt iesA belna oono /
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