The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-02-22

Daring Feat NJ Nlaoara-Crosslng on
4 osaAeo AD0vO the EAllu.
i fcorresposdsnce q - Press and Tribune.l
Niagara Falls. Feb. IL, 1859.
Feeling sure that Tie readers Of Ike Press and
Tribune will be Interested In the recital, write
70 give an account, however imperfectly, OF one
Of the most reckless feais Of daring ever az.
tempted One evening, about week ago,
while sitting in the saloon Of the international
Hotel, became interested in an animated con-
versati0n which Was in progress between two
persons, OF whom one seemed to be Southern.
or and the other an Italian. The latter had re-
glstered his name as "Signor Gaspa More,
but have since learned that he is really Yam
kee boy that he was born and raised near
Stonington, Connecticut, and dubbed BY his ar.
fectionate parents, Andrew Greenleaf. As he
grew older he was afflicted with an intense de-
sire to become circus performer, and finally
ran away from home to connect himself With
some strolling company. He was Tor while q
member Of Barnum's iramense "Sbow.n and
his astonishing performances upon stills will be
remembered by thousands. He had before this
time assumed the name he now bears as well
to escape recognition as to avoid the fate Of 4
prophet in his own country" He is . hand
some, frank looking man, Of about twenty Eve,
has fair complexion, aud wears small, black
moustache. At present he is staying here with
out an engagement. The conversation referred
10 was discussion upon the possible feats which
might be accomplished by man upon stits.-
signor Norelli las will call him) asserted his
aoiilty to do many things, belief in which re-
| CURED considerable faith. The Souiherner. who
is well known sporting gentleman OF New Or
leans, evidently thought the Signor was lying
pretty hard, and at his last announcement be
laughed long and loud Moreli had in fact
expressed his conviction that he could cross Nj
| dgdro htver acdlking upon stills, betpeen Goats
Island and The FaHs. I'm bet you thousand
dollars to fifty it can't be done u exclaimed the
Southerner. 81 accept the challenge" answer
| ed Moreili, quietly. The astonishment Of his
hearers at this reply may be imagined "When
90 you propose to attempt it.' cnquired the
challenger "On Saturday morning, the 18th
OF February TRANQUILITY replied Gsspa The
assurance with which he spoke filed every one
Win surprise, which was not lessened when he
produced the money for his deposit. The stakes
were handed over to Mr.. Augustus Train, OF
nanaio, and the company separated to await the
result OF this singular wager. The interval was
spent by More!li in constant exercise for the
purpose OF strengthening his limbs, somewhat
relaxed by season OF rest His friends expos
luiated IN Vain against the apparently insane
hazard, and even proposed to return to him the
amount he would be compelled to forfeit He
seemed sure OF winning, and would listen to no
one 10 avoid a crowd it was announced that
the attempt would be made npon the fourteenth,
tMonday,) instead of to-day SO that at seven
this morning, there were only about thirty per.
sons by the rive. bank. Punctuaily at that hour |
Morelli appeared in fine spirits and condition
he had with him pair Of stills about IL feet
long, made OF wrought iron, fiat, sharp-edged
and pointed, shaped in fact almost precisely
like double-edged dagger. These were firmly 4
iashed to his legs and he walked towards the
terrible river with confident smile The morn
ing was clear and cold, but he was alfred very
lgntly, in dress not unlike that usually worn
by professional gymnasts. At ten minutes pas.
seven, he stepped into the water, which in an
other moment was boiling, surgling, and rush.
ing beneath his feet. The boldest of the look
ers On held his breath in suspense as the daring
man receded from the shore. lie alone seemed
and passed on, slowly and carefully,
avoiding the larger rocks which were made an
parent by the eddying current. His steps at
.rst were very short and carefully made, but
afterwards became holder and longer. The
suits OF course were SO placed that the current
struck only against their sharp edges, and pro
!uced but little effect; but the danger from
unken rocks, and the conviction that single
alse step would send him to death produced
eeiing which was horribly painful. Once or
vice he seemed TO lose his balance, and a sick
ming shudder ran through each one OF the be-
holders. Recovering himself, he still hept on i
IN reeeded-until to our straining eyes he {
ouid scarcely be distinguished from the foam
ng waters.
The middle of the river was attained AT last t
ours seemed to have fed, but it was barely III {
minutes since he left the shore 5
AS ne approached the deepest and most dan i
efous part OF his route, the suspense became S
lofe teariully intense. No word was spoken. e
kept that one man offered another five dollars
Dr. moments use of his lorgnette, which off.r G
assed unheeded. just as MoreH reached the v
"litest and deepest portion of the carrent. he f
aemed to totter-snk-he threw up his arms!
closed my eyes. Opening them a moment at. |
'r, Saw that he was still standing. A few e
ioments more, and he had reached the Cana $
ian bank-he was safe and fell exhausted into "
ie arms of two men who were waiting TO re. s.
eve him. AT this hour Is p.m.) he has nearly
covered, and though still in bed, receives the al
of dozens of visitors who come
curing IN. lie left the American shore $40
ct ABOVE the TALL, and came out about 1000
ct above the Canadian. The money has al Z,
ady been handed over to him, and all will fir
;ree that it was fairly won. His generous op. NJ
'nent is able to afford his loss, and speaks in Vi
aise OF Morelil more enthusiastically than any, o
Yours truly
WILLIAM COLLINS Il
Remarks.-We shall not insist uuon having II
piicit confidence placed in this well-sold story. 81
will remind the reader perhaps OF Edgar 4. ri
'es enticlng romance OF descent into the ae
'rway maelstrom. The person who sends il to al
"vouchcs for the facts" Well all baggage ar
the risk of the owner. b,