The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-07-12
From tho Toronto Globe.
Walking on Tight Rope over the Niagara
RiycIf
BLONDIN SUCCESSFUL.

plished by Nj. Blondin yesterday afternoon
at five O'Clock, in the presence Of over l0,-
600 spectators, who checred most Justify
when the agile little Frenchman reached
tho Canada side of the river. Tho rope
was stretched over the river from Whites
pleasure grounds, on the American side, to
point little north of the first toll gate,
on the Cana ian side, above tho Bridge.
During the morning, and up 10 the APP
pointed hour for the perilous walk every
train on the Great Western, New York
Central, Eric and Ontario and Lewiston
Railroads, and the steamers brought large
numbers of passengers to tho Falls, Tho
steamer arrow, from Buffalo alono con,
veye1 five hundred to Chippewa, and the
living streams continued to pour in from all
quarters (sayc over the road about to be Ia.
ken by Bloniin, which, no doubt, had it
been tried would have been found
hard road 10 traveD until at three o'clock
there could not have been less than from
10000 20 ii 900 persons lining tho banks
of the river. The booming of cannon
from Whites grounds was the signal for all
loierers in the vicinity Of the Falls TO hur
ry and secure good places. A strong bar
red fence had, by direction Of Mayor Corn
wall and the corporation Of Clifton, been
cr>ctod for good distance along the edge
OF the river, to prevent unnecessary crush
ing, and TO guard against eager persons, in
their anxiety to witness the feat, from push
ing each other over the bank
As four O'Clock approached, Whites
grounds began to fill. Shortly after that
tn re was another salvo of artillery, and
Blondn made his appearance amidst the
assembled multitude. He quickly ascend
cd short tighs rope which had been erect
ed on the grounds and went through
number Of tghtrope performances which
drew down plaudits. But all were imps-
tient for tie feat Of the day. The stands
which had been ercclcd by private specula-
tors on the Canada 81 le received numerous
customers, and the small enclosure reserved
by Blondin for his own benefit was pretty
well occupicd-Thc majority Of persons
within the circle being from Toronto aud
Buffalo.
About half.past four o'clock Bondin fin
ished his exercises on the small rope, and
running down TO tho edge Of the river, he
took his place on the cable, while a deafen-
ING cheer rose at the same moment from
the multitude assembled on each side of
the river. Bondin was dressed in the
manner in which acrobats usually appear
in tne circle, :s@d his tightly fitting cloth.
ing was covered with spanZglos. Ia Is
man apparently about Thirty four years Of
age, and is Frenchman by birth, the place
of his nativity being near Calais. IIe has
followed rope dancing as business since lie
was four years Of age, AMI has at various
times been connected with Francoms Fan.
quc's, Ravcl's and either troopos, About
year ago, whilst engaged with the latter
he performed in the Toronto Lycum.
Prcci-!y at a quarter to five o'clock he
seiz'd hi, balancing pole, weighing about
fifty pounds, and although the sun was
shining in his eyes, he trppod forward aud
almost before tho people were aware be had
cleared the American land, and nothing
intervene between him and destruction
but a two inch rope. The band struck Up
liycl, airs. aud the spectators on the Can
Ia shore were about to greet the daring
adventurcr with cheer, when they were
stiiie3 10y the men in Blondln's employ
Blondin marched on At a lively pace, his
bis toes hardly appearing TO touch the rope.
After walking out about 80 yards, he sud.
denly sank down on the rope and tool;
short rest An involuntary sludder passed
through tho crowd as he thus foailcs.iv
threw himSc'y on his face on the cable while
several of the ladies gave a petite scream
and clung more firmly to their protectors.
He was, however, up again in moment,
aud went on his way rs smartly rs before.
for another $50 yards when he again sought
repose in the Same manner rs befoe.
On arriving ABOUT thrl of the distance
ac,oss. blondln sat down once more, and
waved his hand for the Nail of tie MIST
to steam up under the rope. 1t had been
found impossible to anchor this craft at
the polnt designed for her. owing to the
strength of the current. After delay Of
about five min ites, tn, steamer was
bought directly underneath tho rope, aud
b. her paddles being set in motion aud
her head up the steam, she was kept
almost stationary. Blocdin then from his
gidly elevation, lowered a piece Of twin'
which fell on the deck of the steamer, and
bottle containing some liquor was fastcn-
ed to it, which Blondin drew up, inl
having drank of the liquor, lie tossed
the bottle into the river, AMI iu twink.
ling was persuing his perilous journey.
He was not long it, reaching the middle
cf tho rope, AMI ran ,vcr this portion of it
ut Il slow trot The steep ascent
to the Canada shore was the next
difficulty in the way, but without s,o-
piping, Blondin ncrvcd himself for the task
His conntcnancc was more plainly obacrva.
bic from the Canadian side. and the pres
peration standing on his brow, indictaod
that he felt fuisucd. Hi, steps grew slow
er, and fe ling began t, prevail that he
might even yet fail in the attempt to
reach the nearly won goal Not face in
the vast crowd which did not wear an anx.
ious look. There was death like stiffness,
and with "bated BREATH" the spectators
gszed upon Blondin as he ascendcd tho rope
A few seconds elapsed, and then dccp
silence gave way TO tremendous shout,
which announced that Blondn had succeeded