Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-07-07
Mons. BIondin's Great Feat

The cable on which Bloudin crossed the
Niagary is stretched over the gorge nearly
midway between the Falls and the Sus-
pension Bridge, at a point WHARF the banks
on both side jut out boldly, considerable
lessening the breadth Of the furious cur
rent below. The rope which is about two
inches in diameter, is made fast to large
trees on each side. The Canadian bank is
$50 feet above the water, the American
160 feet. The rope is detected over the
gorge to the amount of full one-third, and
secured by fifty-seven guys on each side,
including large stays running from near the
centre, downwards, and fastened to the
rocks on each side. The guys are all
fastended to trees on the river banks, and
reach from the centre of the stream to a
distance of three or four hundred feet on
each side of the point of termination. The
distance across is about 1000 feet, and the
length of the main rope is 1900 feet
The labor and peril in preparing the rope
for the feat were great. Some four or FIVE
days were spent in getting the first line
across. Blondin attached all the guy
ropes himself Some six or seven thou
sand persons witnessen the daring of Mons.
Blondin on the 30th ult., thus described by
the Buffalo Courier
At 5 o'clock the daring Frenchman ap-
peared at the head of the cable, and gave
the signal to fire the gun. He DOTTED his
purple vest, cap, wig, and trousers, and ap-
peared bareheaded in flesh colored shirt,
tights and hose. Monsieur waved his hand
to the band which struck up an inspiring
strain, and Monsieur boldly started down
the rope towards the yawning chasm at a
slow but steady pace, while every man, wo-
man and child held their breath. Blondin
himself was probably the coolest and most
Indifferent person in sight of the two ma
tions. The sun about 20 degrees above
the horizons, hot and brassy, darted his
fierce rays full in his face, but ne calmly
and quietly pursued his way using his bal
ance pole, which was of enormous length,
but very slightly. On reaching the fourth
guy, about 100 feet from the bank, he
paused-sat down-then laid down calm
ly on his back, at which the whole of the
immense throng were visibly affected with
palpitation of the heart, and seven the
boldest held his BREATH" After moments
interval Monsieur again arose and walked
nimbly, stopping only once more until he
reacLed nearly the entire of the gorge,
where he balanced himself on one foot,
again laid down to rest, and finally sat up
beckoning to the Maid of the Mist, which
was below with a large number of people
on board, to approach him. At the same
time he dropped line 10 which, when the
steamer came up, was attached bottle of
wine, which he hoisted up and emptied.-
The conclusion of this feat. was greeted
with loud applause, from the assembled
throng on both sides of the river. From
this point the Frenchman made his way
without stopping, and at a rapid pace un-
I'll he reached the opposite end, when the
long pent up anxiety of the crowd found
vent in loud and oft repeated cheers. As
he approached the Canadian side an ex-
cellent brass band greeted him with
SECT out of the Wilderness" The whole