Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-03-10
Daring and Wonderful Feat, if
True--CrOSsing the Niagara ON
SILL.

| Stllts.
A correspondent of the Chicago Pres.
and Tribune, gives an account of the dar
ing feat of crossing the Niagara river JUS
above the American Falls, on stills, by {
man named Gaspa Morelli, for n wager
with Southern gentleman, of $1,000.
The Tribune admits that the story look:
fshy. The correspondent, under date o.
the 9th ult., says:
The stakes were banded over to Mr.. Au.
gustus Train, of Buffalo, and the company
separated to await the result OF this singu.
lar wager. The interval was spent by No
relli in constant exercise for the purpose Of
Strengthening his limbs. somewhat relaxed
by a season of rest. His friends expostu-
lated in vain against the apparently insane
hazard, and even proposed to return him
the amount he would e compelled to for
felt. He seemed sure of winning, and
would listen to no one. To avoid crowd
it was announced that the attempt would
be made on the l4th, (Monday,) instead
of to-day; so that at seven this morning,
there were only about thirty persons by the
river bank.
Punctually a. the hour Moreli appeared
in fine spirits and condition. He had with
him pair of stilts about twelve feet long,
made of wrought iron, fiat, shard edged
and pointed-shaped in fact almost pre-
cisely like double edged dagger. These
were firmly lashed to his leg, and he walk
ed toward the terrible river with a con-
fident smile. The morning was clear and
cold, but he was attired very lightly, in a
dress not unlike those worn by professed
gymnasts. At ten minutes past seven, he
stepped into the water, which in anoth-
er moment was boiling, surging, and rush.
ing beneath his feet. The boldest of the
lockers on held his breath in suspense,
as the daring man receeded from the shore.
He alone seemed unmoved, and passing
cn, slowly and carefully, avoiding the lar
ger rocks which were made apparent by
the eddying current. His steps at first
were very short and carefully made, but af-
terwards became bolder and longer. The
stills of course were SO placed that the
current only struck against their sharp
edges, and produced but little effect; but
the danger from sunken rocks, and the
conviction that single false step would
send him to death, produced feeling that
was horribly painful. Once or twice he
seemed to lose bis balance, and sicken-
ing shudder ran through each of the be-
holders. Recovering himself, he still kept
receded-until TO our straining
eyes be could scarcely be distinguished
from the foaming waters. The middle of
the river was attained at last; hours SEEM
ed to have fled but it was barely seventeen
minutes since he had left the shore.
As he approached the deepest and most
dangerous part of his route, the suspense
became fearfully intense. No word was |
spoken, except that one man offered anoth-
er five dollars for moments use of his
lorgnette, which offer passed unheeded.-
Just as he reached the swiftest and deep
est portion of the current, he seemed to tot
threw up his arms! closed
my eyes. Opening them moment after,
saw that he was still standing. A few
more and he had reached the
Canadian Bank-he was safe-and fell
exhausted into the arms of two men, who
we're waiting TO receive him. At this hour
8 P. NJ he has nearly recovered, and al
hougb still in bed, receives the congratu-
ations of dozens ofvisitors. who came pour
NO in. He left the American shore 96O
eet above the Falls, and came out 1000
eet above the Canadian. The money has
'lready been handed over to him, and all
will agree that it was fairly won. His gen.
rous opponent is able to afford his loss,
nd speaks in praise of Morelli more en-
than any.